You're on track to get doubled donations (and unlock a reward for the colleague who referred you). Keep up the great work!
Take credit for your charitable giving! Check out your tax receipts
Donate
To use your $50 gift card credits, find a project to fund and we'll automatically apply your credits at checkout. Find a classroom project
Skip to main content

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season!
Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.

Your school email address was successfully verified.

See this teacher's page

This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Varela Valdes from Pinole, CA is requesting educational kits & games through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Ms. Varela Valdes is requesting

Sensory Needs

Help me give my students the sensory tools they need to regulate their emotions and stay calm while in a learning environment.

FULLY FUNDED! Ms. Varela Valdes's classroom raised $336

This project is fully funded

Celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month

Celebrate Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month

This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.

My Project

Students with special needs benefit significantly from sensory toys as these tools play a crucial role in their overall development and well-being. Sensory toys provide a tailored and engaging way for these students to explore, understand, and interact with their environment, fostering essential skills that may be challenging to develop through conventional methods alone. These toys not only support sensory integration but also contribute to improved focus, communication, and emotional regulation, creating a more inclusive and conducive learning environment for students with diverse needs.

Sensory toys offer versatile applications for students with special needs.

For instance, fidgets can assist in promoting concentration and fine motor skills during class activities. My students love animals, weighted stuffed animals provide a calming effect, aiding in sensory regulation and reducing anxiety. The students in my classroom are all hands-on, tactile items like textured balls or fabric squares encourage tactile exploration, enhancing sensory perception. Furthermore, visual stimulation tools, such as colorful fidgets can be used to create a soothing atmosphere, supporting students in managing sensory sensitivities. These examples illustrate how sensory toys cater to various needs, facilitating a more inclusive and effective learning experience for all students.

Ms. Varela Valdes Shannon Elementary School Grades 3-5

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.

Pinole, CA View local requests

More than half of 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

11 students impacted 5donors

Boost your odds

Add a profile photo in addition to your classroom photo. If you add a photo, it'll show up right here on your project page.

You are more likely to receive funding if you put a face to your name.

Upload a photo

Top rated for efficiency and transparency.

You donate directly to the teacher or project you care about and see where every dollar you give goes.

Expand the "Where your donation goes" section below to see exactly what Ms. Varela Valdes is requesting.

See our finances

TEACHERS, FEELING INSPIRED?

You can start a project with the same resources being requested here!

Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
ODOXIA Sensory Mats for Autistic Children | Sensory Tiles for Kids | Sensory Wall Panel | Sensory Mats (Animals) | Sensory Toys | Sensory Room Equipment | Sensory Disorder Toys for Tactile Play • Amazon Business $29.95 1 $29.95
Play-Doh Super Color Pack, 3 Ounces, Assorted Colors, Set of 20 • School Specialty $23.99 1 $23.99
Bouncyband Fidget Foot Roller • School Specialty $20.02 1 $20.02
Talking Flash Cards Writing Tablet - FABETO Speech Therapy Autism Sensory Toy Easter Gifts for Girls 2 3 4 5 6 Years Old, Toddlers Learning Educational Toy 384 Sight Words ABC Alphabet Numbers • Amazon Business $19.99 1 $19.99
20 PCS Multicolored Quiet Fidgets Toys for Unique Fidget Experience, Anti Anxiety Sensory Toys Combine into New Shapes, Brain Imagination Tools, Relax Therapy Educational Toy for Kids Boys Adults • Amazon Business $18.99 1 $18.99
8 Set Sensory Mini Mats Assorted Textured Play Mat Sensory Mats for Texture Sensory Floor Tiles Educational Tactile Sensory Toys for Activity (Hexagon, 7.1 Inch) • Amazon Business $18.99 1 $18.99
ZaxiDeel Slow Rising Sensory Stress Ball 8 Pack, Squeeze Ball Stretchy Fidget Ball for Anxiety Stress Relief, ADHD Autism Sensory Fidget Toys for Hand Therapy • Amazon Business $18.95 1 $18.95
Securitoday 2lbs Weighted Dinosaur Plush, 14In Soft Cute Green Weighted Stuffed Animals Dinosaur Throw Pillow Plush Toy Gifts for Kids Boys Girls • Amazon Business $15.99 1 $15.99
Learning Resources Spike the Fine Motor Hedgehog Puzzle Playmate - 11 Pieces,Ages 18+ months Fine Motor Game, Color and Shape Recognition Toddler Montessori Toys • Amazon Business $15.99 1 $15.99
Shape Learning Sensory Toys for Toddlers - Textured Stress Relief Sensory Toys for Autistic Children, Pull and Stretch Tactile Toy, Calming Autism Toys for Boys and Girls Preschool Kids (8Pack) • Amazon Business $13.99 1 $13.99
2 Pack Marble Maze Mat Fidget Sensory Tactile Sensory Toys Stress Relief Toys Anxiety Relief Toys Calming Toys for School Classroom Reduce Stress Anxiety Improve Focus (Tie Dye Style,13 x 8.7 Inch) • Amazon Business $6.79 2 $13.58
Aizweb Ten-Frame Pop Board - Math Manipulative for Elementary, Math Fidget Sensory Toy, Montessori Educational Toy Gift for Kindergarten Classroom Kids 3 4 5 Year Old • Amazon Business $9.99 1 $9.99
Yeetec 6 Pack 24 Links Wacky Tracks Snap and Click Fidget Toys, Finger Sensory Toys, Snake Puzzles for Stress Relief, Party Bag Fillers, Party Favours, Random Color • Amazon Business $5.99 1 $5.99

Materials cost

$226.41

Vendor shipping charges

 $4.40

Sales tax

 $20.72

3rd party payment processing fee

$3.40

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$284.93

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$50.28

Total project goal

$335.21

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $335.21

4 Donors

-$270.10

Donations toward project cost

-$229.59

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$40.51

match offer

-$65.11

Match offer toward project cost

-$55.34

Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$9.77

Excluded support for DonorsChoose

-$0.01

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

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

View complete list Show less

Give the most requested basic supplies

See teacher requests

Give back to your community

Find opportunities to impact local needs by exploring a map of classroom projects near you.

See local area

Project Activity

Project Activity
Back to top

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. Varela Valdes and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

See how DonorsChoose works
{"pmaHash":"","showProjectRecommendations":true,"leadGenEnabled":true,"hideTeacherDetails":false,"schoolState":"CA","teacherPossessivePronoun":"her","PMsManager":null,"schoolGradeType":{"id":2,"name":"Elementary School"},"TeacherPMForms":{},"completingDonationAmount":0,"teacherHasClassroomPhoto":true,"proposalURL":"https://www.donorschoose.org/project/sensory-needs/8105767/","mayHaveReplacements":true,"numStudents":11,"isEquityFocusV1":true,"teacherScreenName":"Ms. Varela Valdes","isEquityFocus":true,"proposalHash":"86039011","isApplePayMobileOnly":true,"progressBarPercentage":100.00,"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"photosPublished":false,"queryString":"","DonorPMForm":null,"shouldTrackEquityFocusV2":true,"schoolCity":"Pinole","teachersOnPage":[8611035],"isTeacherViewingTheirOwnProject":false,"minimizedLeadGenEnabled":true,"proposalId":8105767,"proposalMessageFormModel":null,"numActiveProjects":0,"verifyShowPhotos":"","eligibleToBeCopied":false,"schoolId":4224,"schoolName":"Shannon Elementary School","authorIds":{"8611035":{"owner":"Ms. Varela Valdes","donationSalutations":{}}},"displayedPercentFunded":1.0,"proposalsOnPage":[8105767],"pmaId":"","teacherProfilePhotoURL":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8611035_orig.jpg?crop=3166,3166,x0,y116&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1727062041571","teacherHasProfilePhoto":true,"currentWorkflowStatusCode":21,"teacherChallengeId":22002046,"isApplePayEnabled":true,"fundedByTarget":false,"activeProject":null,"donorIdsForImpactPhotoCheck":[],"teacherId":8611035,"schoolCounty":"Contra Costa","fullyFunded":true,"isStudentLed":false,"isExpired":true,"schoolStateObj":{"code":"CA","name":"California"}}