Help me give my students lighting, music, stories, and hands-on activities to become calm, empathetic, kind, and equipped and to develop the ability to handle difficult situations in a positive and respectful manner.
"Mrs. Wright, will you read to us or play us some soft music?"
These questions have taught me the impact of reading and music on a child's day.
Over my years of teaching, I have learned that I am often the only calm and comfort that my students receive.
My school is located in a high poverty neighborhood. All of our students receive free breakfast and lunch. My students face many challenges due to financial hardships, cultural differences, and lack of family support. Many do not have access to resources that could help them deal with traumas, anxious feelings, anger, and the inability to cope with their feelings. This lack of support often hinders their academic success.
I believe that every student deserves the best, no matter where they come from or what support they have. It is my job to provide students with an education, both academic and social, that will help them become tomorrow's leaders.
The halls at my school are filled with love, laughter, and diverse children who all want the same thing: an equal chance to succeed in life. The challenges that my students face should not inhibit them from reaching their potential.
My Project
After reading Just Breathe by Chopra, I realized as an educator the only thing I am missing to change negative responses to what is often seen as bad behavior from children is the ability to bring a calming practice into my classroom and equip my students with meditation, mindfulness, and movement. I want each of my students to understand that it is okay to not be okay because we all have feelings. I equally want them to have the tools it takes to ask for a break, remove themselves from a situation, and understand that other people may be different from them but they can work together to find solutions to difficult problems.
Through this project, I will be able to have the resources needed to create a calm classroom where all students are valued for unique differences and have the ability to empower students with strategies in the classroom and wherever life’s journey takes them.
I will use the diverse read aloud books to have whole group lessons that spark connections and discussions among peers. I will use the music selections in whole group settings through breathing and mindfulness exercises as well as on individual levels using the CD player and headphones. Having a spot for children to go that is comfortable with a rug, soft lighting, fidget tools, and calming music will allow them a space to understand what it means to take a break where you can stay calm, be kind to yourself, and just breathe.
I know what the research says, and I cannot wait to have the resources in my classroom to teach students both the required curriculum and how to handle their feelings. I strive to be proactive and prepare my students to be successful in all that they do.
Light Accents Diploma Chrome Floor Lamp Japanese Style Standing 50 Inches Tall with White Paper Shade (Set of 2)
• Amazon Business
$54.45
1
$54.45
Unique Loom 3138677 Sofia Collection Traditional Vintage Beige Area Rug, 4' x 6' Rectangle, Gray
• Amazon Business
$29.91
1
$29.91
Light Accents Diploma Floor Lamp - Japanese Style Standing Lamps for bedrooms 50 Inches Tall with White Paper Shade - Floor Lamps for Living Room - Contemporary Floor Lamp
• Amazon Business
$29.45
1
$29.45
Bedwina Pull and Stretch Balls - (Pack of 6) Bulk Stress Relief Squeeze Balls in Assorted Colors for Sensory Fidget Toys and Party Favors for Kids
• Amazon Business
$13.89
2
$27.78
I Am Peace: A Book of Mindfulness
• Amazon Business
$13.46
2
$26.92
Sylvania SRCD243M-Black Portable CD Radio
• Amazon Business
$21.94
1
$21.94
Sunshane 24 Pack 24 Blocks Magic Snake Cube, Mini Snake Speed Cubes, Twist Puzzle Toys for Kids Party Bag Fillers, Party Favours, Random Color
• Amazon Business
$16.99
1
$16.99
Stand in My Shoes: Kids Learning About Empathy
• Amazon Business
$14.95
1
$14.95
Sitting Still Like a Frog: Mindfulness Exercises for Kids (and Their Parents)
• Amazon Business
$14.64
1
$14.64
I Am Enough
• Amazon Business
$14.24
1
$14.24
POWMEE M2 Kids Headphones Wired Headphone for Kids,Foldable Adjustable Stereo Tangle-Free,3.5MM Jack Wire Cord On-Ear Headphone for Children/Teens/Girls/School/Kindle/Airplane/Plane/ (Blue)
• Amazon Business
$6.99
2
$13.98
Steps and Stones: An Anh's Anger Story
• Amazon Business
$13.96
1
$13.96
The Lemonade Hurricane: A Story of Mindfulness and Meditation
• Amazon Business
$13.95
1
$13.95
Anh's Anger
• Amazon Business
$13.56
1
$13.56
Because
• Amazon Business
$13.50
1
$13.50
Thank You, Omu!
• Amazon Business
$13.37
1
$13.37
Mindful Bea and the Worry Tree
• Amazon Business
$13.00
1
$13.00
Boao 9 Pieces Mini Fidget Puzzles Wooden Flexible Puzzles Stretchable Fidget Puzzles Wood Twist and Lock Blocks for Fidget or Party Favors
• Amazon Business
$12.99
1
$12.99
A Handful of Quiet: Happiness in Four Pebbles
• Amazon Business
$12.54
1
$12.54
Breathe with Me: Using Breath to Feel Strong, Calm, and Happy
• Amazon Business
$12.29
1
$12.29
Mindful Moments for Kids
• Amazon Business
$12.19
1
$12.19
Breathe Like a Bear: 30 Mindful Moments for Kids to Feel Calm and Focused Anytime, Anywhere
• Amazon Business
$12.05
1
$12.05
Quietly, A Piano Album – Instrumental album From the creators of Scripture Lullabies
• Amazon Business
$11.99
1
$11.99
three carriage Colorful Sensory Fidget Stretch Toys-Stretchy Strings Fidget Toy for Relaxing Therapy (12 Pack 6 Colors) - for Adults and Kids-Stress Toy Helps with ADHD ADD OCD Autism Bad
• Amazon Business
$11.99
1
$11.99
Seeds and Trees: A children's book about the power of words
• Amazon Business
$11.98
1
$11.98
I Am Human: A Book of Empathy
• Amazon Business
$11.95
1
$11.95
I Walk with Vanessa: A Story About a Simple Act of Kindness
• Amazon Business
$11.69
1
$11.69
Listening with My Heart: A story of kindness and self-compassion
• Amazon Business
$11.65
1
$11.65
I Am Yoga
• Amazon Business
$10.89
1
$10.89
Think For Myself At School: Holistic Thinking Kids
• Amazon Business
$10.79
1
$10.79
Calm Within: Music for Relaxation of Body and Mind - Perfect for Massage, Spa, Yoga, Meditation
• Amazon Business
$10.75
1
$10.75
Listening to My Body: A guide to helping kids understand the connection between their sensations (what the heck are those?) and feelings so that they can get better at figuring out what they need.
• Amazon Business
$10.52
1
$10.52
My Magic Breath: Finding Calm Through Mindful Breathing
• Amazon Business
$10.48
1
$10.48
Mindful Kids: 50 Mindfulness Activities for Kindness , Focus and Calm
• Amazon Business
$10.39
1
$10.39
Pianoscapes for the Trails of North America
• Amazon Business
$9.99
1
$9.99
Be Kind
• Amazon Business
$9.98
1
$9.98
Serenity: Music for Meditation and Inner Peace - Perfect for Massage, Yoga, Spa, Sleep, or Just Relaxing
• Amazon Business
$9.89
1
$9.89
Healing Music for Meditation and Well Being - Perfect for Massage, Yoga, Spa, Sleep, or Just Relaxing
• Amazon Business
$9.73
1
$9.73
Kindness Starts With You - At School
• Amazon Business
$9.45
1
$9.45
Kindness Snippet Jar
• Amazon Business
$9.37
1
$9.37
My Day Is Ruined!: A Story Teaching Flexible Thinking (Executive Function)
• Amazon Business
$9.30
1
$9.30
The Juice Box Bully: Empowering Kids to Stand Up for Others
• Amazon Business
$9.20
1
$9.20
Even Superheroes Have Bad Days
• Amazon Business
$9.09
1
$9.09
I Can Do Hard Things: Mindful Affirmations for Kids
• Amazon Business
$9.00
1
$9.00
I Believe in Myself (Mindful Mantras)
• Amazon Business
$9.00
1
$9.00
I Will Be Okay (Mindful Mantras)
• Amazon Business
$9.00
1
$9.00
The Jelly Donut Difference: Sharing Kindness with the World
• Amazon Business
$8.82
1
$8.82
Kindness Starts With You
• Amazon Business
$8.46
1
$8.46
The Name Jar
• Amazon Business
$7.59
1
$7.59
Those Shoes
• Amazon Business
$6.24
1
$6.24
Materials cost
$687.83
Vendor shipping charges
FREE
Sales tax
$0.00
3rd party payment processing fee
$10.32
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$728.15
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$128.50
Total project goal
$856.65
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$856.65
7 Donors
-$427.00
Donations toward project cost
-$366.70
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
-$60.30
match offer
-$425.24
Match offer toward project cost
-$361.45
Match offer 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. Wright and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
