In m elementary, our students face challenges in their everyday lives. Many come from difficult backgrounds, facing a world that is not always accepting of who they are. Some live in poverty, others struggle to stay afloat, and some are recent immigrants adapting to an entirely new culture.
Regardless of what they face outside of school, our students skip and run into the school building, every morning between 7:30 and 7:55 am you will hear "slow down" at least three times.
Some students have tough mornings, and some have good ones and that changes from day-to-day. My school is a constant in the lives of our students, and we want to provide the best education for them.
However, because some of our students face challenges outside of school, they may struggle to focus or learn in the environment of the traditional classroom. We want to provide a space for them that adapts to their needs, a space that is safe and open. Our students deserve a space that is designed for them, a place to express their feelings, their love and joy comfortably.
My Project
The benefits of sensory rooms are summarized by Mark D. Benigni, Superintendent of Meriden Schools, “All humans are sensory beings, as this is how we explore and process information within our world. Sensory rooms are special spaces within the school that allow students of all abilities to self-regulate, rebalance and have their sensory needs met.” At my school, we want to design the room in a creative, appropriate way to address the various needs of the students within the school community. This room will be available throughout the school day for students with varying sensory, self-regulatory, and behavioral needs. We would like the design of the room to be intentional; a classroom that feels and looks different from other classrooms within the school. As soon as children walk in the door, they should recognize this space as theirs and as something to be treated differently. The specific design and programming of our sensory room will allow for purposeful exploration within the room, as well as modeling and small group instruction. Significant aspects of the room we would like to include are specific music, mindful breathing, yoga, and stations all with specific sensory and self-regulatory concepts in mind.
At my school, we envision a room that will provide a means for all students to find appropriate strategies and tools for self-regulation, ensuring participation as active, calm learners within their school and community.
Sensory rooms provide tactile, auditory, and kinesthetic input in a safe and comfortable environment. We can stimulate self-awareness through small group instruction, mindful breathing, yoga postures and stations throughout the space.
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. Quick and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.