Past projects 3
Searching..... Emotional Reset Buttons
Funded Nov 12, 2021All of these items have been a huge help to all of my students. As they struggled and needed to take a break, these sensory items have been key to helping them reset and be able to come back feeling less anxious and in control emotionally. Of course, everyone has their most favorite item but honestly, they truly LOVE them all. Most items showed up right before the holidays so it definitely felt like we were opening Christmas toys as we saw our new tools.
We were also able to purchase headphones and wireless mice for their chromebooks which significantly reduced the anxiety on our at home/online virtual learning days.
Thank you so much for your support we are all very grateful.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Scheele
Don't Stress, Learn Instead!
Funded Oct 5, 2021We needed you and you were there.
We are so very grateful for the donation that you made to our "Don't Stress, Learn Instead!" project. The impact these items have already had on my students is remarkable. 100% of the students in my classroom struggle with emotional regulation and use sensory tools/breaks to allow them time to de-escalate from sensory stimulation. Sensory breaks are also beneficial by providing them opportunities to help with focus, attention, and learning. Your donation made it possible for me to provide items that my students can jump, crash, squish, brush, spin, swing, and scooter their way to regulation and feeling under control.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Scheele
Sensory Relief From Trauma
Funded Feb 17, 2020When choosing items to use in our sensory room, I did take into consideration the way that trauma has impacted each of my students' lives, and subsequently, their brains, learning, and behaviors. School is sometimes their only safe place, and their experiences have affected how they learn and perceive the world around them. Naturally, this can also affect their performance in school. So by introducing sensory-friendly tools into our schedule, we are giving students a way to meet their sensory needs in a healthy way that still allows them to focus on learning. Sensory-friendly tools often look like toys, but when they are used correctly, they can help children calm down, regulate, and focus.
I received most items the last week of February and my students were so excited to see the packages arrive. A few days after I organized the centers for my students the schools in our district closed, for health/safety reason, as did most of the country. Before the closures, when they did get a chance to use them, they were so eager to try them all out. Not only am I excited to use these materials next year so are my students. Many will be returning to my classroom since I teach multiple grades in a special education self-contained behavior/mental health unit. My students may be returning to school next year struggling now, more than ever, after such trying times for them and their families.
What we have learned in the past is that when they feel uncomfortable their focus becomes finding ways to soothe themselves, rather than paying attention to what is happening around them - like listening to the teacher! When we return in the Fall I am excited that these tools, that can have a positive impact on the learning environment, have already been added to the sensory room for them to utilize. They can regulate themselves in a healthy way which in turn reduces distracting or problematic behavior helping them focus more on learning!
As we are doing on-line distance learning with them each day, they have shared with me the items that they are looking forward to using when they return. The fiber optic vibrating light was a hit as well as the mind mazes, glitter sensory balls, calming art items, and the yoga center. I would like to thank you again for your generous donation to my students and our classroom.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Scheele
This classroom project was brought to life by Ogden School Foundation and one other donor.