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

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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

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

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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).

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

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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 free-

play 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

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

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Classroom Designer at https://www.lakeshorelearning.com under the tab Resources – Tools –

Classroom Designer.

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Materials included in the Art Center:

Regular Dot Art Painters 6-Color Set

Learn-The-Alphabet Rubbing

Plates

Rubbing Crayons - Set of 40

Differing Abilities Poster Pack

Heavy-Duty Chubby Brushes - 10-

Color Set

Jumbo Roller Painters

Sponge Designers

Large Unbreakable Craft Jar

Brush-On Washable Painters -

6-Color Set

25"w X 27 1/2"d X 51"h

46 1/2"w x 16"d x 30 1/4"h

35 1/8"w x 20 1/8"d x 36 1/2"h

Table adjusts from 15 to 24"

high.

20 1/2"w x 17"d x 41 1⁄4"h

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Kid-Sized Paintbrushes - 6-

Color Set

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 -

10-Color Set

People Colors® Crayons -

Dozen Sets

Lakeshore Glue Stick - Dozen

Safety Scissors - Dozen

Crinkle-Cut Craft Scissors

Center

No-Spill Paint Cups & Brushes - 6-

Color Set

Heavy-Duty Adjustable Vinyl Paint

Apron - Yellow

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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 - 10-Color Set

Bright Giant Washable Color Ink Pads - 5-

Color Set

subtotal $1,045.10