Past projects 2
Calming Corner
Funded Dec 29, 2023We are so grateful for your help in setting up our calming corner. It has been implemented permanently for the rest of our school year as a safe place for students to take a break when their emotions and physical behaviors require regulation. We introduced it as a center during play time so they could all become familiar with the options when calm and now we can't keep them out of it. I have to say - every teacher needs a brown shaggy, slippery rug in their classroom. All my students absolutely love it and find sensory satisfaction in walking on/rolling around on/sliding across or jumping on it.
Your help to top off this much needed space came at the precise time one of my students escalated in some very physically hard, un-safe behaviors. Before, we didn't have a place in the classroom where he could go. Now we do! We can keep him and his peers safe with this area he can come to. He LOVES to lay on and squirm out his frustration on the shaggy rug, pull at the stretchy animals that light up, squish the balls and throw himself into the pillow. Once he calms a bit, we help him regulate by placing the weighted blanket on him and talking about the different faces and labels on the pillow. Because he doesn't have a lot of words and finds it hard to use the few he does have when in the middle of a tantrum, he is now learning to use an iPad to request this corner when he needs a break or re-set.
Other students have also benefitted from the Calming Corner. They are using the different fidgets and barn sorting toys to distract their emotions and re-set their minds so they can safely and appropriately re-join their peers. I can't wait to continue to build this area as more needs arise. I plan to add more fidgets so we can rotate them, books about feelings, sensory tiles and an iPad to show break options and play music when needed.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Missy
Play to Learn and Grow
Funded Jan 22, 2022Thank you for helping to expand learning through play in our Special Education Preschool classroom. Wide eyes, huge smiles and more than a few squeals greeted your additions to our literacy, blocks, art, pretend and outdoor play.
Posable familes revived our dollhouse opening conversations about families and different cultures. The oversized magnetic boards teaching letters/colors/numbers and pre-writing skills have attracted students that don't like to learn these skills. Magna-tiles have inspired collaboration on rockets, castles and fun designs helping us explore 3d shapes, balance and symmetry... as well as patience and persistence when our creations collapse. Painting and tearing tape have helped us request, make choices and develop small muscles while creating numerous works of art including rainbows and binoculars. Catching a ball has been a daunting feat this year. The look of surprise and instant pride when many students caught a ball for the FIRST TIME using our velcro hand paddles and balls warmed our teacher hearts! We can't wait to try our balance on our scooters as we learn about fast/slow/forward and backward!
We most recently had fun learning about different food groups with the My Plate felt center while reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Students loved creating meals that would make the caterpillar (as well as themselves) happy, full or even get a tummy ache. Our exprience has truly been enriched by your love for learning and willingness to share with us!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Missy
This classroom project was brought to life by Utah State Board of Education.