My class consists of 21 amazingly inquisitive and adventurous first graders in a small, country school in Maine. Our students come to school each day ready to be inspired and learn new things. They take brave chances in order to grow academically and socially. My students can always be found with a high interest book, or reading books digitally on their iPad. They love to learn about our community, our state, our world, and especially animals! We are a Title I School with low to high-income students. More than one third of our students are from low-income households, and almost half of our students receive free or reduced-price meals at school.
Our enthusiastic and smart first grade cuties are an exciting group of mixed interests, abilities, backgrounds, and goals.
Although our learners have different ability levels, they all enjoy immersing themselves in academic challenges and literature. They love to observe, explore, create, and make new discoveries. My students are often eager to use technology to meet their learning goals. Technology frequently allows my students to be self-directed learners and to have voice and choice in their learning.
My Project
Special needs students as well as regular education students benefit from sensory tools in the classroom.
When we are having trouble with our emotions in first grade, scented putty often helps to regulate our strong emotions.
At times, students experience crisis, death, divorce, or other trauma outside of school. These students sometimes have decreased academic success because while at school they are in a survival mode, rather than being able to focus on academics. By playing with scented putty, these students can use their five senses to focus on calming down their emotions and focusing more on learning while in school. The materials in these project will be used at our Hawaiian Sensory Table, and students will have access to these sensory materials daily.
Students in first grade can at times lack focus and attention. This banana scented putty will also help my students who have cases of the wiggles while at school. I would like to offer putty, and another basket of therapy tools for students to use when they need them. I know our first grade students will be very excited to have banana scented putty in our classroom for future use. Thank you for thinking of our classroom for your donation.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Elsaesser and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
