The Sensory Smart Classroom

Was school stressful for you? Where you ever a fidgeter? A chewer? Couldn't concentrate? Tapping your fingers or bouncing your legs?  Did the sound of the lights buzzing ring in your head?
Hi!  My name is Kristi Black and I am a first grade teacher with a background in special education working with students with sensory processing disorders.  I am preparing to fund an innovative idea in public education: the "Sensory Smart Classroom".  Neurological studies have shown that students who are in a brain-friendly classroom; an emotionally and physically safe environment, using movement, laughter, brain breaks, meaningful teaching strategies, predictable scheduling, and are provided with tools for their sensory needs will retain information learned and access higher order thinking.  Students' sensory needs include the need to fidget, to chew, to squeeze, to wear headphones, calming color on the walls, pleasant and calming scents, add weight to their laps, and decrease artificial lighting and sounds. They need an area to be quiet, to be still, to feel pressure and to touch.  Students with an outlet to sensory needs are better able to learn. The first five on my brain friendly classroom list I can provide as a teacher using thoughtful teaching strategies and scheduling, but the rest is up to you.. It is my hope that providing a sensory friendly classroom filled with specific tools, that all students will feel safe, be successful, and feel included.
Things needed: Hokki stools $100 each(need 25), light diffusers sets of 4 $25 each (need 3 sets), Headphones $25 each (need 23), Weighted lap pads $25 each (need 10), chewable pencil toppers, tactile brushes, figipads, weighted pencils, bosu balls, 3d tetris blocks, tactile bins, rocking chair, sensory stixx, crash pads (large fabric "pillow" filled with foam), bean bags, rocking chair, hammock swing, laundry baskets (to sit in and read, providing close pressure), sensory wall (with different types of fabric and textures), Storytime Yoga ($17.96 book on Amazon), white noise music, aromatherapy diffuser.