Help Me Create a Special Space For My Students
Funded Aug 30, 2024Thanks to your incredible generosity, our classroom now has a fully stocked calming corner—and it has already made a huge difference! When the students first saw the new bean bags, wobble cushions, anxiety strips, and colorful crayons and markers, their eyes lit up with excitement. One student whispered, "This looks like a little dream space," and I couldn't agree more. The calming corner has quickly become a go-to space for students who need a moment to reset, regulate their emotions, or simply find a bit of quiet in a busy day.
We've been integrating social-emotional learning into our daily routine, and the calming corner has given us the perfect environment to support those efforts. Students are learning to recognize their emotions and choose strategies—like using anxiety strips or taking a few minutes on a wobble cushion—to help themselves refocus. It's amazing to see them take ownership of their emotions and use the space responsibly. One memorable moment was watching a student, who often struggled with frustration, choose to take a break in the bean bag chair, draw quietly, and return to class ready to learn. That kind of growth is priceless.
As we move forward, our class will be working on identifying and expressing emotions through a creative journaling project, using the art supplies you helped provide. Students will be creating their own "Feelings Journals" to reflect on their emotional growth and build mindfulness habits. Your support has made this all possible—thank you for helping us create a classroom where every student feels safe, supported, and ready to learn.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Williams