Help create a calming Special Education classroom

Hi! My name is Mrs. Williams. I'm a special education teacher serving students with mild to moderate needs from Kindergarten through 8th grade; with disabilities ranging from ADHD to autism and intellectual disabilities.

Following over a year of mostly distance learning, many of our special education students are coming back to school struggling to reacclimate to a changed school environment and anxiety around the social distancing requirements (i.e. eating lunch in their classroom, sitting alone in desks with no opportunities for group/partner work, no visible smiles behind masks, etc.). I am new to teaching special education and hope to add elements of comfort to my students' classroom.

My goal is to help create a more soothing environment by diffusing the harsh fluorescent lighting with covers with clouds and tree branches; which will also bring in a little nature. Green paper poms hung from the ceiling will help create a beautiful tree-like backdrop to a reading/calming down nook for my students that are feeling overstimulated, need a break to regulate their emotions, or simply need a quiet place to complete classwork. Floor and table lamps will further support creating a soothing environment that helps reduce eyestrain and overstimulation for my special population of students. Lastly, a set of curtains will reduce visual distractions of students playing at recess outside.

Please help me create a soothing classroom environment that will help support my students with special needs.