EDU 221 HW1 Children with Exceptionalities: Module 4 Classroom Learning Center Design

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1 Hunter Myers C Page 1 EDU 221 HW1 Children with Exceptionalities: Module Four Module Four Classroom Learning Center Design 22 November 2013 Cristina Hunter Myers Student Sandhills Community College Instructor: Kimberly Fielder-Jones

2 Hunter Myers C Page 2 The classroom learning center I chose for this assignment was the Art center of a preschool classroom, which measures 12 x 12 and contains children ages 3 and 4 years old. For my scenario I chose to adapt the environment for children with the following exceptionalities: Sensory Integration Disorder (SID), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and a child who moves around using only a wheel chair. The room is decorated in neutral colors with accents and splashes of color, often using the children s own artwork. On several of the walls there are posters which display children of different races, gender, and abilities all doing typical tasks you would see children in this age range doing. Throughout the classroom there are labels for materials and toys with pictures as well as written in Puffy Paint so children can feel the raised letters and have a deeper connection with the label and the materials. As you enter into the art center you will notice the flooring is a beautiful laminate which looks like hardwood floors (but are super easy to clean!). The floor is flat to make an easy transition for all children. There is plenty of space for all children to maneuver around, even as children are sitting at the table. Not only is the floor spacious and accommodating, the work surfaces are plentiful and non-crowding as well. The table is adjustable from 15 to 24" high and would be set at 22, which is the perfect height to allow a child s wheel chair, which is typically 16.5 from floor to seat, to pull up and sit easily with his or her friends. Classmates will be sitting in chairs 11.5 in height (leaving the suggested 6 10 between the lap s children and the tops of the tables).

3 Hunter Myers C Page 3 As you continue looking through the Art center you will notice all of the materials are displayed in a neat and orderly fashion using clear, plastic craft jars that are not easily broken. This helps all children learn how to properly care for and store their supplies, as well as gives children who are very particular with their surroundings the order they need in their daily lives. Many children who suffer from ADHD report not feeling as overwhelmed when their environments are arranged in a systematic fashion. They crave the structure and routine of knowing where everything goes and find comfort when they are a part of taking care of their classroom and areas. Amongst the typical items you see, there are several options to choose from to adapt for each individual child. For example, there are various sizes of paint brushes, crayons, markers, and scissors. Because some of our children have SID, they often like to create art projects but they do not like getting their hands dirty or physically touching certain things. Within the adaptive materials you will see things that specifically address these concerns; for example, sponges with handles, textured paint brushes, and jumbo rollers. We also bring in other sensory items to help children connect to the materials they are playing with, such as scented play dough, multicolor (skin toned) crayons, and rubbing plates and crayons (without wrappers). Children are free to come and go through the art center throughout the day during freeplay periods, although there is a limit of six children in the center at one time. A two-sided easel is always prepared with paper for new art to be created and the child-sized sink, paper towels, and a trash can are easily accessible to the children. Below you will find a labeled diagram drawn to scale (1 block = 1 foot of surface space), as well as a list of materials and furniture with measurements that were used in this drawing. This list and drawing were provided by Lakeshore

4 Hunter Myers C Page 4 Classroom Designer at under the tab Resources Tools Classroom Designer.

5 Hunter Myers C Page 5 25"w X 27 1/2"d X 51"h 35 1/8"w x 20 1/8"d x 36 1/2"h 20 1/2"w x 17"d x "h 46 1/2"w x 16"d x 30 1/4"h Table adjusts from 15 to 24" high. Materials included in the Art Center: Regular Dot Art Painters 6- Learn-The-Alphabet Rubbing Plates Rubbing Crayons - Set of 40 Differing Abilities Poster Pack Heavy-Duty Chubby Brushes Jumbo Roller Painters Sponge Designers Large Unbreakable Craft Jar Brush-On Washable Painters - 6-

6 Hunter Myers C Page 6 Kid-Sized Paintbrushes - 6- Easy-Grip Dough Rollers Texture Brushes Lakeshore Paper Storage Center Lakeshore Scissors Center Newsprint Easel Paper Spangles & Sequins Class Pack Fiskars Classroom Scissors - Pointed-Tip - Each Fiskars Classroom Scissors - Blunt-Tip - Dozen Construction Paper - 9" x 12" Case All-In-One Craft Tub Manila Drawing Paper - 9" x 12" Write & Wipe Broad-Tip Markers - Class Pack Jumbo Craft Sticks Colored Feathers - Class Pack Washable Watercolor Set - Dozen Natural-Bristle Paintbrushes People Colors Crayons - Dozen Sets Lakeshore Glue Stick - Dozen Safety Scissors - Dozen Crinkle-Cut Craft Scissors Center No-Spill Paint Cups & Brushes - 6- Heavy-Duty Adjustable Vinyl Paint Apron - Yellow

7 Hunter Myers C Page 7 Heavy-Duty Adjustable Vinyl Paint Apron - Red Classroom Carry-All Easy-Clean Craft Trays - Set of 4 Best-Buy Jumbo Crayons - 8- Color Box Best-Buy Large Crayons - 8- Color Box Best-Buy Standard Crayons - 12-Color Box Lakeshore Design Rollers Super-Safe Tabletop Paper Center Motorized Spin Art Center Lakeshore Fully Washable Liquid Tempera Paint Bright Giant Washable Color Ink Pads - 5-