This project is part of the Black History Month celebration because it supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of the students are Black.
My Students
As a Physical Education teacher in a low-income/high poverty school, my students are faced with several challenges both in and out of the classroom. Despite the many challenges they face, I am looking to keep things simple and provide my students with a calm and meaningful yoga experience.
In dealing with these children, I must remember that they are not necessarily receptive, cooperative or obedient.
Therefore, I must remain objective and introduce the techniques so they appeal to the imagination of the child. If the child experiences even a brief period of mental relaxation, he will gain some insight into his own behavior which will hopefully affect his entire day for the better.
My Project
In am hoping to create an authentic yoga style area in the gym so that the kids look forward to coming to Physical Education. With the Yoga mats I am requesting, I will be able to have a safe and clean place for them to practice their yoga skills which will not be slippery. The gym where we will be performing this activity is all tiled floor which is extremely slippery and could be a safety hazard. We are currently making do and leaving our shoes on which limits their range of movement.
I would like have a space that is cool that they will look forward to coming to.
Taking their shoes off for elementary kids is really cool and they love it. It has been found that when students discover that they will not be criticized or excluded, their whole attitude toward the use of their bodies changes.
Yoga is enjoyed by children. They can move easily into the asanas while developing their balance and relaxing their muscles. Yoga works directly with the brain and the endocrine system, affecting the mind and emotional levels of the child and helping to re-establish harmony.
These children need to alleviate their anxiety and guilt and drop their defense mechanisms so that normal personality growth can continue. I feel that this will be an invaluable skill for them in their lives and daily health as well as in their educational career.
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. Smith and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
