My students need age appropriate sensory activities, such as The Rainbow Fish Storytelling Kit, Unlock It!, and Kinetic Sensory Sand, to maximize engagement and soothe over-stimulation in the classroom environment.
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 Students
As a teacher for a special day program, I have an amazing opportunity to impact the lives of my students. We are 5 students in a CORE autism program at a low income school. Our grades span from TK-K. We follow the same curriculum as our regular peers but also emphasize learning social skills, school routines and the hidden curriculum. We need many different ways to learn including technology, hands-on materials, and opportunities to move.
Despite our label of having autism, we choose to break stereotypes by creating a family of empathy and working as a team.
My students often have difficulty communicating their needs and staying focused. Our needs vary from educational, to social, sensory and developmental support. I am committed to help them make breakthroughs to continue their education and work along side their general education peers.
My Project
My students can have difficulty regulating their emotions throughout the school day making it difficult to learn and engage with their peers. The art drying rack will allow students to begin their day or engage in painting when they are feeling overwhelmed. The art therapy will help them remain calm, focused and prepare them to mainstream with their general education peers.
Although our world is filled with visual and tactile stimuli, the kinetic sand and marble run will provide age appropriate alternatives to sensory seeking behaviors.
By providing these options, my students will reduce the frequency of nonfunctional play behaviors such as spinning toys and puzzle pieces. These activities will allow my students to increase expected play behaviors in a natural setting.
The educational activities such as the match the key and unlock game provides an experience of discovery and success for students. The stories and story pieces will add excitement and encouragement to participate. Not only will my students be working on academic skills, but determination, trial and error and self-verification. All are important skills on the 'hidden curriculum' for students with disabilities.
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
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 Mrs. Schwinmann and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
