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This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Muldowney from New Haven, CT is requesting art supplies through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Ms. Muldowney is requesting

Sensory and Learning Centers

Help me give my students plastic messy mats and materials for our sensory centers.

FULLY FUNDED! Ms. Muldowney's classroom raised $772

This project is fully funded

My Project

In my classroom, I have begun to use a variety of sensory and exploratory centers to teach students new ideas. Students can explore new art media through these centers, practice, and apply their newfound knowledge while building fine motor skills.

Sensory exploration is crucial in building fine motor skills, tactile perception, and hand-eye coordination.

We would use the kinetic sand to draw and form different lines, shapes, and letters. Kinetic sand allows students to practice their writing skills with resistance. We would use the shape stamps and stamp pads to create a work of art using only basic shapes while also experiencing a simplified form of printmaking. We will use liquid watercolors and eye droppers during our unit on color, and students could practice mixing primary colors to create secondary colors by trial and error. The plastic messy mats are a great addition to our classroom, allowing students to create artwork and minimize the cleanup. With a limited class period, I want to give students the most time possible to explore and create. With these mats, we can almost eliminate the cleaning time needed. Students could have a hands-on learning experience using these new materials. Our school has a high population of students with Austim and refugees from Afghanistan. Many of our students are either nonverbal or don't speak English. Exploring new media and having a tactile experience would make a major difference in their learning.

In conclusion, sensory exploration is an essential component of fine motor development in individuals. It allows children to refine their tactile perception, improve hand-eye coordination, and strengthen neural pathways associated with fine motor skills. Therefore, these materials would provide opportunities for sensory exploration, which is crucial for promoting healthy development in young children.

Ms. Muldowney Barnard Environmental Studies Magnet School Grades PreK-2

Equity Focus

This project directly supports students at a historically underfunded school. Learn more about our Equity Focus.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

New Haven, CT View local requests

Nearly all students from low‑income households Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more

300 students impacted 2donors

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Colorations Flexible, Plastic Mats, Set of 6, Reusable, Sturdy, Durable, Washable, Multi-use, Art, Crafts, Painting, Coloring, Kids Activity, Kids Mats, Art Supplies, Classroom, Home, (Model: TIDY) • Amazon Business $30.65 4 $122.60
Lakeshore Build the Letter Activity Center • Lakeshore Learning Materials $27.99 3 $83.97
Relevant Play Kinetic Sand, 11 Pounds, Tan - Early Childhood-Elementary - Toddler • School Specialty $68.54 1 $68.54
18 Pack Paper Organizer Bins Colorful Classroom Storage Bins Letter Size Flat Storage Tray Plastic Art Trays Classroom Pencil Organizer Baskets for School Office Teacher Book Organization • Amazon Business $47.99 1 $47.99
Spectra? Bleeding Tissue Shapes Assortment, Assorted Sizes & Shapes, 25 Assorted Colors, 500 grams (PAC58535) • Quill.com $47.69 1 $47.69
2000 Plus No.2 Stamp Pad, Black Ink (090407) • Quill.com $6.74 6 $40.44
15 Pcs Flat Plastic Trays 15.75 x 11.81'' Sensory Storage Tray Paper Trays Stackable Classroom Bins for Office Home Organizer Arts and Crafts Supplies (Classic Color) • Amazon Business $35.99 1 $35.99
Lakeshore 3-D Geometric Shapes Tub • Lakeshore Learning Materials $29.99 1 $29.99
Sargent Art Liquid Watercolor Assortment • Kaplan Early Learning Company $29.66 1 $29.66
Lakeshore Peel & Stick Flexible Foam Shapes • Lakeshore Learning Materials $22.99 1 $22.99
Center Enterprises Easy to Grip Giant Shapes Stamps • Kaplan Early Learning Company $19.76 1 $19.76
Lakeshore Pattern Blocks Activity Cards • Lakeshore Learning Materials $16.99 1 $16.99
Childcraft Shape Sand Molds, Assorted Colors and Designs, Set of 16 - Preschool-Early Childhood - Toddler - Durable • School Specialty $11.69 1 $11.69
YXCLIFE Mini Cookie Cutters Set - 30Pcs Small Heart Star Flower Round Square Hexagon Oval Diamond Shapes Cookie Cutters, Polymer Clay Cutters for Kids, Geometric Set for Biscuit Cutter, Fruit Cutter • Amazon Business $8.99 1 $8.99
Rienar White 3ML Disposable Plastic Eye Dropper Set Transfer Graduated Pipettes (20 PCS) • Amazon Business $3.99 2 $7.98
ZMLM Scratch Rainbow Art Paper Set - 50Pcs Magic Scratch Off Art Craft Supplies Kits for Kids Girls Boys Black Scratch Notes Sheet Doodle Pad for Fun DIY Toy Party Favors Christmas Birthday Gift • Amazon Business $5.49 1 $5.49

Materials cost

$600.76

Vendor shipping charges

 $15.72

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$9.01

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$655.49

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$115.67

Total project goal

$771.16

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $771.16

1 Donor

-$385.57

Donations toward project cost

-$327.74

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$57.83

match offer

-$385.59

Match offer toward project cost

-$327.75

Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$57.84

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.

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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 Ms. Muldowney and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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