I currently teach students with orthopedic and/or health impairments, but next year the makeup of my class will be drastically changing. I will be changing to a cross-categorical teacher which means my students may have any type of disability. So far next school year, my students will be in kindergarten and first grade. My class will have students with autism, Down's Syndrome, orthopedic impairments, and developmental disabilities.
My students require creative instruction and special adaptations to meet their individual needs.
I use a lot of hands-on, manipulative-based activities so that my students can better relate to what is being taught. I also have to adapt a lot of materials so that the students can better manipulate their learning environment.
My Project
The four set sensory table and sensory materials will help my students receive the sensory input they need. Working with different textures such as sand, dough, foam, and water can help the students feel calm and relaxed. While the students are feeling calm and relaxed, I can add items such as letter and number beads, magnets, etc. to make optimal use of this calming time. The students may dig up letters from sand and identify them as they find them. Other students may cut numbers out of dough and then make dough balls to show how many. All of these activities will include the sensory input they need while learning.
All of these materials will allow me to create educational activities that are calming because my students' will receive the sensory input their bodies need while they learn.
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
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 Ms. Jamie Taber and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.