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. Van Winkle from Dallas, TX is requesting educational kits & games through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Ms. Van Winkle is requesting

Sensory Tools to Empower My Amazing Students With Autism

Help me give my students items like fidget tools, weighted lap pads, textured sensory items, and soft lighting options.

FULLY FUNDED! Ms. Van Winkle's classroom raised $916

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

My students are incredible, curious learners who happen to have autism. Each day, they come to our classroom ready to grow, explore, and succeed. However, many of my students face sensory challenges that can make focusing, participating, and self-regulating difficult. That’s where sensory tools come in — they are not just “extras” but essential supports that help my students feel calm, safe, and ready to learn.

My students thrive when they have access to tools that help them regulate their emotions and focus on learning.

I am requesting a sensory tent and stand, along with other calming items, to create a designated space in our classroom where students can take a break, refocus, and manage sensory overload. This sensory area will support students with autism, ADHD, anxiety, and other sensory needs, helping them feel safe and ready to learn.

To support their emotional growth, I would also love to include the Little Spot of Emotion book series. These books help students better understand and express their feelings in a positive way.

Our school in Pleasant Grove Dallas is a vibrant and diverse community, but we do not always have the budget for specialized resources like sensory supports. Your donation will directly impact children who deserve to have their unique needs met every day they come to school. These sensory tools will create a welcoming environment where my students can thrive both academically and emotionally.

Ms. Van Winkle John Q Adams Elementary 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.

Dallas, TX View local requests

More than three‑quarters 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

8 students impacted 6donors

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. Van Winkle 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
Lightahead Extra Large 4 FT LED Fantasy Bubble Fish Tube Fake Aquarium with10 Fish & 20 Color Light Effects. The Ultimate Sensory Lamp. • Amazon Business $99.25 1 $99.25
Sorbus Tripod Hanging Chair Stand - 330 lbs Capacity Heavy Duty Steel Sensory Swing Weather & Rust Resistant - Adjustable Portable Hammock Stand for Lounger, Saucer, Air Porch, Indoor/Outdoor, Patio • Amazon Business $97.99 1 $97.99
Lakeshore Washable Sensory Noodles • Lakeshore Learning Materials $69.99 1 $69.99
LuMAGIC 7-pk Tap Tap Sensory Lights - Touch & Remote Controlled Multicolored Magnetic Hexagon Lights, Interactive & Calming for Sensory Rooms and Kids’ Bedrooms • Amazon Business $62.99 1 $62.99
8 Book Set: Little SPOT of Emotion - Anger, Anxiety, Peaceful, Happiness, Sadness, Confidence, Love; calming corner, social emotional learning • DonorsChoose Featured Favorites $62.00 1 $62.00
Kids Nest Swing Chair, Hanging Hammock Chair Nest Hammock Swing Chair for Outdoor and Indoor(32" D x 52" H),Detachable Play Tent Swing for Child Sensory Swing for Kids Age from 3-12 Years(Blue) • Amazon Business $59.99 1 $59.99
Sensory Tent | Calming Kids Hideout | Pop-up Blackout Tent | Easy Setup | Helps with SPD, Anxiety, ADHD, Autism & More | Double Size • Amazon Business $59.95 1 $59.95
8 Mini Emotion Plush Toys with A Little SPOT of Feelings Hardcover Book Set (fidget toy set, social emotional learning, compassion, calming corner) • DonorsChoose Featured Favorites $52.00 1 $52.00
Lakeshore Play & Learn Sensory Tubes • Lakeshore Learning Materials $39.99 1 $39.99
A Little SPOT of Feelings and Emotions Educator's Guide • Amazon Business $33.20 1 $33.20
Lakeshore Foam Sensory Paint - Set of 5 • Lakeshore Learning Materials $29.99 1 $29.99
Fidget Solar System - Bubble POP Fidget Toy (calming corner, social emotional learning focus, STEM supplies, sensory fidgets) • DonorsChoose Featured Favorites $12.00 2 $24.00
Westminster Multi-Sensory Glacier Fiber Optic Light - Elementary-Middle School - Kids • School Specialty $20.99 1 $20.99
Schylling NeeDoh Gummy Bear - Sensory Fidget Toy with Jelly-Like Filling - 3.5" Tall - Colors May Vary (Pack of 1) • Amazon Business $9.60 1 $9.60
Kinetic Sand Mold n’ Flow with 1.5lbs Red & Teal Play Sand, 3 Tools, Sensory Toys for Kids Ages 3 and up • Amazon Business $6.14 1 $6.14

Materials cost

$728.07

Vendor shipping charges

 $9.10

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$10.92

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$778.09

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$137.31

Total project goal

$915.40

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $915.40

5 Donors

-$457.69

Donations toward project cost

-$389.04

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$68.65

match offer

-$457.71

Match offer toward project cost

-$389.05

Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$68.66

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. Van Winkle and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

See how DonorsChoose works
{"pmaHash":"","showProjectRecommendations":true,"leadGenEnabled":true,"hideTeacherDetails":false,"schoolState":"TX","teacherPossessivePronoun":"her","PMsManager":null,"schoolGradeType":{"id":1,"name":"Early Education"},"TeacherPMForms":{},"completingDonationAmount":0,"teacherHasClassroomPhoto":true,"proposalURL":"https://www.donorschoose.org/project/sensory-tools-to-empower-my-amazing-stud/9345786/","mayHaveReplacements":true,"numStudents":8,"isEquityFocusV1":true,"teacherScreenName":"Ms. Van Winkle","isEquityFocus":true,"proposalHash":"1718473272","isApplePayMobileOnly":true,"progressBarPercentage":100.00,"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"photosPublished":false,"queryString":"","DonorPMForm":null,"shouldTrackEquityFocusV2":true,"schoolCity":"Dallas","teachersOnPage":[10032558],"isTeacherViewingTheirOwnProject":false,"minimizedLeadGenEnabled":true,"proposalId":9345786,"proposalMessageFormModel":null,"numActiveProjects":0,"verifyShowPhotos":"","eligibleToBeCopied":false,"schoolId":18076,"schoolName":"John Q Adams Elementary School","authorIds":{"10032558":{"owner":"Ms. Van Winkle","donationSalutations":{}}},"displayedPercentFunded":1.0,"proposalsOnPage":[9345786],"pmaId":"","teacherProfilePhotoURL":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10032558_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1746901843681","teacherHasProfilePhoto":true,"currentWorkflowStatusCode":21,"teacherChallengeId":22487111,"isApplePayEnabled":true,"fundedByTarget":false,"activeProject":null,"donorIdsForImpactPhotoCheck":[],"teacherId":10032558,"schoolCounty":"Dallas","fullyFunded":true,"isStudentLed":false,"isExpired":true,"schoolStateObj":{"code":"TX","name":"Texas"}}