Giving Compass' Take:

• The Republic explains how an elementary school in Indiana has used a sensory wall in the hallway to help students socialize during waiting periods and develop self-regulation skills.

• How can similar technology extend learning outside of the classroom? In what ways can we develop more social and emotional skills in young people through innovation?

• Read how sensory-designed schools help special-needs students flourish.

A dedicated space at Rockcreek Elementary School encourages students to socialize and keep learning even when waiting in a hallway.

Corie Williams, Universal Design for Learning facilitator, and Amber Wolf, autism coordinator, created a sensory integration wall using a $500 grant they received this spring from Bartholomew Consolidated School Foundation.

The wall, which is targeted to kindergarten to second-grade students, allows youngsters to create designs using pegs, practice typing on a keyboard or to play with a magnet board that has letters and numbers.

“It helps with self-regulation skills when they’re waiting and standing in the hallway,” Williams said.

Wolf, who came up with the concept after seeing a sensory integration wall in Baltimore, said the intent of the project is to provide students with something to do and socialize with one another.

Read the full article about sensory walls by Matthew Kent at The Republic.