My students need a sensory table with sand and materials, wooden puzzles and a puzzle rack, and giant dice to help them learn to experience hands-on learning!
A typical day in our classroom consists of LOTS of movement. We have centers that the students visit as they choose. The way they best interact with materials is hands-on. They sit still for a few minutes at a time several times a day. Otherwise, they are busily engaged with their environment.
Our school is an urban school and our classroom has a variety of students.
They are 4 and 5 year Olds preparing for kindergarten. They lack the experiences necessary to excel next year. We are constantly striving to help them learn all of the skills that they will need in Kindergarten.
Some students have all of their necessary materials from home while others do not. Some have parents that work with them at home while others do not. There is a definite mix of socio-economic backgrounds in this classroom. Right now we have 19 students that attend a full-day program that teaches them everything from dressing skills to table manners to how to play fairly with everyone. Independence is stressed for each child to do their absolute best every day. We celebrate all successes and encourage all attempts. There is a wide difference between ability levels in our classroom.
My Project
The students will be able to interact with the wooden puzzles without fear of breaking or bending the pieces. They puzzles have been chosen to be integrated into our established units of the curriculum. They will expand the students' learning while providing fun activities for them and reinforce concepts taught.
The sensory table is an area that we are sadly lacking. The students will be able to manipulate the sand and water in the table with the accompanying materials. They can pour and measure amounts, compare amounts, determine how much is needed to fill a container, and other hands-on experiences.
The materials will provide the students with opportunities that they have not experienced with sand, water, food items, confetti, styrofoam and other tactile objects that will enable them to observe and experiment with the materials in a safe and freestyle manner.
Some of the students haven't played in sand or water - hardly even when they take a bath! These materials will provide experiences that are kinesthetic and scientific in nature and provide enjoyment for the students at the same time.
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. Manges and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
