Calming Area

Funded Jan 4, 2023

My students were so excited when they returned from the weekend and saw our new Calming Corner! They were ecstatic to see this special new space that was just for them to go to recenter themselves and relax, whenever they needed. My math lab students are first and second graders who come to my room for Tier 2 support in foundational math and many deal with difficult situations at home.

Our new Calming Corner has become a welcome part of our room where students can go to work through a hard morning they may have had or when dealing with tough situations at home making it hard to stay focused and motivated in class. They love having a low table to sit at with the option of the bright sensory seats or just the soft rug. The affirmation mirror, Calming Kit, and breathing boards have helped students decompress and go within, finding comfort in a mindful minute. Having these options has empowered them to acknowledge their feelings but also allows them to leave those stresses behind for now and reset their inner voice, reminding themselves of the power of a growth mindset and trying to make today a great day!

The quiet time to get lost in creating something with Legos (which most of our students don't have at home), or the sensory input of rolling out colorful Playdough, or counting out patterns on the pop-its have been such simple, yet powerful ways to help students calm the negative energy they were harboring and help them re-emerge as problem solvers ready for an academic challenge. Seeing their smiles or listening to their giggles or hearing them compliment each other on their creations has nurtured a community of happy learners who know that their feelings matter and that they have the power to calm themselves down to work through the hard stuff, knowing that they have people that respect the fact that sometimes we may need some time to ourselves and other times we enjoy a short creative break with a friend or alone to help us recharge or adjust our attitude. The project has helped nurture a stronger sense of community and self-awareness.

I am so proud of how these 6 and 7 year olds have become so much more independent regulating their social emotional needs and learning how to better deal with their feelings and cope with stress. They have learned to listen to their bodies and to know how to shift their mindset. It is always so heartwarming to see their tearful eyes or scowled brows melt into soft smiles and a positive attitude ready to tackle the day which has allowed them to blossom as mathematicians! Thank you so much for your generous support that allowed our Calming Corner come to be!! It has made such a HUGE difference in the lives of my students and we will continue to add to it so that future classes can enjoy its benefits, too!”

With gratitude,

Ms. Kim-LaTona