My students need a safe area where they can either increase stimulation, calm down, and/or organize their thinking. The items contained in this project are focused on creating that setting.
I serve students with special needs in grades K-5 who are from a small rural community in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Our community has a lower socio-economic population, with state data showing 53% of the students being economically disadvantaged and 77% of the eligible students participating in free and reduced lunch programs. Our attendance averages above 95% daily with only one day this past year below 90%. Our students are dedicated and enthusiastic learners. They react well to research-based instruction. My goal is to purchase supplies allowing us to support academic and social situations and focus on individual living and life skills. When this project is funded, my students will be able to have additional resources that will allow them to thrive educationally and emotionally in an effort to meet each individual’s personal potential.
My Project
Sensory areas and materials are a necessity in special education classrooms. The goal of this project is to purchase a variety of items that will either stimulate or calm students dependent on the individual's emotional state.
Using items that are high interest and have a multi-sensory appeal increases student engagement and improves their ability to manage their emotional state.
The floor tiles offer an area that a student can sit and have a direct impact on the item he/she is manipulating. We can also move them around the room easily, making them adaptable to the immediate needs of our room. A variety of tactile items (such as the vibrating tubes, tactile books, and sand paper letters) are included in this project to physically stimulate a student, increasing engagement when his/her interest level is low. Visual and audio pieces (the LED fish "tank" lamp, the fiber optic curtain, and the black light) are incorporated as calming techniques for students who need a cool down space. The legos are included to utilize as both an educational tool in math and as a reward option for students.
These items are chosen to have a large impact in a small area. My vision is to incorporate them into an area of my room where students will be taught how to use or request these items when they are needed while the rest of the students in the room are able to continue with their daily schedules and assignments. The needs are MANY and research shows that sensory integration improves student ability to maintain one's emotional state on a daily basis.
Liquid Floor Tile Playroom / Dance Floor / Sensory Room Tile 6 Pack of 19.7" x 19.7" - 7 Color Options - 15.8 sqft (Multicolored)
• Amazon Business
$159.99
2
$319.98
Lego 10697 Building Large Box Creator XXL, 1500 Pieces
• Amazon Business
$139.99
1
$139.99
Sensory LED Bubble Tube - 3 Foot "Tank" With 8 Fake Fish - Floor Lamp with 7 Changing Light Colors - Stimulating Home and Office Décor - by Playlearn
• Amazon Business
$118.99
1
$118.99
CHINLY 16W Remote RGBW fiber optic curtain light 300pcs 1.0mm flash point 9.8ft waterfall sensory light kit
• Amazon Business
$102.00
1
$102.00
Vibrating Tube
• Amazon Business
$29.95
2
$59.90
WIKKI STIX MULTI SENSORY RESOURCE - SET
• School Specialty
$14.19
3
$42.57
RAINSTICK WOODEN 20''
• School Specialty
$16.11
2
$32.22
ADJ Products UVLED24 Startec Blacklight Bulb, 24"
• Amazon Business
$29.99
1
$29.99
Didax Educational Resources Sandpapers Letters Boxed Set
• Amazon Business
$27.95
1
$27.95
Ocean Wave Projector,Delicacy 12 LED Remote Control Undersea Projector Lamp,7 Color Changing Music Player Night Light Projector for Kids Adults Bedroom Living Room Decoration
• Amazon Business
$23.95
1
$23.95
Minifigures Set of 48+10 - Lego-compatibe Mini People with Accessories Educational Building Bricks Toy
• Amazon Business
$23.18
1
$23.18
Welcome to the Symphony: A Musical Exploration of the Orchestra Using Beethoven's Symphony No. 5
• Amazon Business
$20.18
1
$20.18
Vibrating Pillow
• Amazon Business
$19.95
1
$19.95
16 Feet Length 0.75 Inch Width Hook and Loop with Strong Self Adhesive Tape Strip Fastener (White)
• Amazon Business
$8.99
2
$17.98
Arnie and His School Tools: Simple Sensory Solutions That Build Success
• Amazon Business
$14.24
1
$14.24
Vkey 1000pcs (500 Pair Sets) 20mm Diameter Sticky Back Coins Hook & Loop Self Adhesive Dots Tapes White-Delivery By FBA
• Amazon Business
$13.99
1
$13.99
Polar Bear, Polar Bear What Do You Hear? sound book
• Amazon Business
$9.70
1
$9.70
Who: Peek-a-Flap Board Book
• Amazon Business
$8.99
1
$8.99
Baby Touch and Feel: Cuddly Animals (Baby Touch & Feel)
• Amazon Business
$3.93
1
$3.93
Materials cost
$1,029.68
Vendor shipping charges
$7.48
Sales tax
$0.00
3rd party payment processing fee
$15.45
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$1,082.61
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$191.05
Total project goal
$1,273.66
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$1,273.66
13 Donors
-$1,273.48
Donations toward project cost
-$1,082.61
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
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. Putnam and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
