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This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Melanie from Hayward, CA is requesting sports & exercise equipment through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Ms. Melanie is requesting

Sensory Activities for Distressed Teens

Help me give my students calming sensory objects that can help reduce or eliminate anxiety and other presenting symptoms for those who experience high levels of distress.

  • $226 goal

Hooray! This project is fully funded

Hooray! This project is fully funded

Keep the momentum going! Make a donation to Ms. Melanie for her next project!

Help Ms. Melanie

Keep the momentum going! Make a donation to Ms. Melanie for her next project!

Celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month

Celebrate Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month

This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.

My Students

Our Montessori high school is so wonderfully diverse and inspiring! Our students come from all different cultural and socio-economic backgrounds, and the unity we see on campus is quite extraordinary. A key component for Montessori education is that students can be self-directed, hands-on, and collaborative - which we help to foster in the mental health program and see come to life on campus. Our students are so full of life and are eager to not only learn but love to also pass on their knowledge to others.

Our students are so creative, thoughtful and ready to help their fellow peers!

Our students help boost each other up in times of need, are the first to let staff/faculty know if another student is having a difficult day, and genuinely care about their school environment.

My Project

Our mental health room is in need of sensory objects designed to engage a student's attention both cognitively and physically by stimulating one or more of the five senses: sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste. Having a sensory object fosters a state of calm and relaxation for students while in the classroom or in the mental health room.

This type of sensory play is calming for students, as it helps them regulate their internal discomfort, whether that discomfort is from mental health issues, restlessness, agitation or some other types of distress.

These calming objects have therapeutic and soothing effects that can help our students share their thoughts and feelings easily in a healthy and safe environment at school through the use of games, toys, conversation starter sets and art.

Calming sensory objects can help students who experience anxiety, depression, distress, etc. by having a physical outlet to vent the emotions they're feeling by twisting, stretching, squeezing these objects. Students can also utilize card games (such as the Life Skills Conversation Starter Set) to help put into words the emotions and thoughts a student is having at any given time and be able to have a healthy conversation in regards to the distress they're experiencing. It is also recommended that sensory objects be available for students who are diagnosed with ADHD and Autism. Using sensory materials can help reduce or eliminate the present symptoms the student is experiencing.

Ms. Melanie Hayward Twin Oaks Montessori School - Secondary Grades 9-12

Equity Focus

At this school, more than 50% of students are Black, Latino, and/or Native American, and more than 50% come from low-income households. Learn how your donation to this school supports a more equitable education.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

More about Ms. Melanie

Hayward, CA View local requests

More than half of students from low‑income households Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more

62 students impacted 1donor

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Expand the "Where your donation goes" section below to see exactly what Ms. Melanie is requesting.

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
52 Essential Conversations: The Life Skills Card Game for Children and Adults - Builds Social Emotional, Critical Thinking, Growth Mindset & Vocabulary Skills - Created by Harvard Educators • Amazon Business $24.99 1 $24.99
5MM 216 Pieces Magnetic Sculpture Magnet Building Blocks Fidget Gadget Toys for Stress Relief, Office and Home Desk Toys for Adults (8 Colors) • Amazon Business $16.80 1 $16.80
YoYa Toys Pull, Stretch and Squeeze Stress Balls 3 Pack - Elastic Construction Sensory Balls - Ideal for Stress and Anxiety Relief, Special Needs, Autism, Disorders and More • Amazon Business $15.99 1 $15.99
24 Stress Balls - Bulk Stress Relief Toys Assortment - 2.5" Stress Balls, Smile Face, Globe, Sport Balls, Hearts and Stars for Treasure Box Classroom Prizes, Party Favors, Or Just To De-Stress (2 Dozen) Assorted Designs and Colors for Kids, Adults and Teens • Amazon Business $14.97 1 $14.97
The Depression Workbook for Teens: Tools to Improve Your Mood, Build Self-Esteem, and Stay Motivated • Amazon Business $14.49 1 $14.49
• Amazon Business $13.99 1 $13.99
Neliblu Why Worry? Be Happy! Neon Yellow Smile Funny Face Stress Balls - Happy Smile Face Stress Balls Bulk Pack of 24 2" Stress Relief Smile Squeeze Balls - Christmas Stocking Stuffers - Fun Toys • Amazon Business $13.98 1 $13.98
Fun Toy Stringy Balls Game Set of 5 Bundle Gift Box Bulk Relief Relax Fidget Play Squeeze Sensory Rainbow Splat Ball Monkey Toy Pom Pom Stress Ball Games for Kids Children Adults Office and Home • Amazon Business $12.90 1 $12.90
Enthur Stretchy String Fidget Sensory Toys Build Resistance Squeeze Pull - Good for Kids with ADD, ADHD or Autism, and Adults to Strengthen Arms 12 Pack (BPA/Phthalate/Latex-Free) • Amazon Business $10.39 1 $10.39
Super Z Outlet Liquid Motion Bubbler for Sensory Play, Fidget Toy, Children Activity, Desk Top, Assorted Colors (1 Piece) • Amazon Business $7.99 1 $7.99

Materials cost

$146.49

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $13.40

3rd party payment processing fee

$2.20

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$192.09

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$33.90

Total project goal

$225.99

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $225.99

1 Donor

-$192.09

Donations toward project cost

-$192.09

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$0.00

Excluded support for DonorsChoose

-$33.90

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.

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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. Melanie and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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