Past projects 9
Learning With Toys and Games
Funded Jan 19, 2017Thank you so much for your generous donations towards toys and games for our class. With the materials, we have been able to better teach the concepts of sharing and turn-taking. The toys and games have given us concrete and motivating materials to encourage students to work with each other through play. The materials have also helped to better inform me as a teacher what types of games the students enjoy the most. This helps in selecting future activities that will motivate students to engage in social play. Thank you again for all of your generosity, and we look forward to building more skills as we play!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Laurista
Creating Spaces for Better Learning
Funded Mar 30, 2017We are so grateful for the classroom dividers that you have provided us. The students are able to better focus on their tasks without the distraction of seeing other table activities, or other parts of the classroom.
As teachers and aides, we have successfully used the partitions to help students navigate the classroom schedule more easily. For example, when coming into the classroom, we might use the partition to block off a path to go directly to the first activity of the day. We have even used three of the partitions to create a 1:1 learning nook with two "rooms" to better serve those students who benefit from a truly distraction-free learning environment. This has helped greatly in providing space for discrete trial training (DTT)-style teaching.
Thank you so much again, and we are looking forward to more successes throughout the years!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Laurista
This classroom project was brought to life by Aspect Ventures and 18 other donors.Wobbly Seating for Wiggly Kids
Funded Sep 22, 2016Thank you all for your generous contributions towards this project. Who knew that a change as small as a chair would make such a difference. After using the wobble stools for a little over a month, I have seen such an improvement in my students' attention to tasks.
A few students took a bit getting used to the lack of trunk support the stools offered (which means they work on their trunk strength!), but I have found that the stools helped them greatly in correcting their posture during tabletop activities. No more slouching! The improved posture means the students are not only able to attend to tasks better, but they are able to complete fine motor tasks such as cutting and writing with better precision and proper positioning.
I have also seen the wobble stools work "wonders" during circle time. It has allowed me as a teacher to see the importance of movement during long periods of relative inactivity. The stools help those students who need more movement than what we normally do during circle time. They provide a safe way for the students to wiggle and spin, while still being present during circle time and small group activities.
Thank you again for your donations. You are one of the many reasons teaching is so rewarding!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Laurista
Strong Enough For Preschoolers
Funded Sep 6, 2014While my students don't quite understand that the laminating machine is a big deal, they certainly do appreciate all of the things that it can provide. Each time a student is able to correctly label a specific area of the classroom, I am grateful for your donation. When parents are able to clearly see our class schedule and protocols, I am reminded of how helpful the laminate can be. Clearly, we have much to be thankful for.
We are able to make more environmental cues for the classroom, such as table and area markers (Blue Table and Play Area). We are able to make choice menus for everyday activities such as music time or recess. We are able to make visual cues to let some of our students know when to "Stop" or "Wait." We are even able to make booklets that are especially tailored for our class and our thematic unit. All of these are things my students are able to not only enjoy, but also learn from.
Having the laminating machine has helped me to be confident about the materials that I give to the students, knowing that they will last. This is huge in my ability to reuse and recycle materials so that I am not wasting my time recreating useful tools. I am then able to focus more on how I will use the materials rather than on how I will make the materials. So, thank you again for your donation. We are so grateful for your generosity and hope that you will continue to support public education. Thank you!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Laurista
This classroom project was brought to life by First 5 LA and 6 other donors.Steps For Healthy Hands
Funded Mar 12, 2014Thank you all for your generosity in funding this project. Especially to the Anonymous donor who "brought us home," I am so very grateful. We were able to get the steps in plenty time before the end of the school year. Because of your help, we have been able to send our children to wash their hands independently. Though not pictured, I have even seen my non-ambulatory student pull herself up the steps independently! Needless to say, the steps you helped to bring to our classroom (and bathroom!) have been an incredible addition to our daily routine. Thank you again for all of your support!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Laurista
This classroom project was brought to life by First 5 LA and 7 other donors.Office Tools for Visual Supports
Funded Dec 28, 2013Thank you all for your generosity. This was my biggest project yet, and it certainly has the greatest impact. Since receiving our printer, we have been able to successfully and professionally conduct IEP, SST, and other special-education-related meetings. We have been able to print out countless visual prompts, schedules, and environmental cues. We have been able to send home visually-appealing newsletters and fliers to promote our program and our activities. We are definitely using the printer for all of its worth - so thank you all for seeing how important this project is for our program. We are truly grateful for all of your dedication to our project and we hope to be able to use this gift for many years to come. Thank you!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Laurista
Outside Toys For Playing Together
Funded Nov 5, 2013Thank you for your donations towards this fun project. My students were so excited to see the new tricycles and wagon as they came in, one day at a time. It is so nice to be able to have a specific activity to utilize for social interactions during outside play time. We can target social- and language delays by encouraging the students to interact with one another while playing. Moreover, we are able to also target proprioceptive needs of some children by allowing them to "be the driver," pulling along their peers either on the trikes or in the wagon. For our students who crave that "heavy lifting" input, these toys are a perfect age-appropriate activity. Thank you again for your donations and I encourage you to continue to help classrooms all over the world - we teachers truly appreciate your support!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Laurista
This classroom project was brought to life by First 5 LA and 10 other donors.Making Preschool Count: Math Manipulatives to Inspire
Funded Mar 12, 2013I cannot express enough how incredibly generous your donation has been to my class. Because of your willingness to help my classroom, my students have had the opportunity to enjoy mathematics in a way they did not before. They are able to see and feel quantities and numbers, rather than just seeing them on a flash card. They are able to see groupings when we use the colored rings for sorting. They enjoy immensely the puzzles that have been donated, and are even using the pieces to increase their vocabulary by naming the puzzle piece shapes (i.e. "brown bear" and "black piano"). My students actually ask for the manipulatives to be taken out when we are ready for small group activities. I am sure this is a rare occasion in any classroom. And the fact that the pieces are new surely is a big factor in making the students feel special and worthy of an excellent education. Thank you again for your donation and I hope that you continue to support public education in the tremendous ways you have done.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Laurista
This classroom project was brought to life by First 5 LA and 8 other donors.Play Materials to Encourage Development
Funded Feb 2, 2013Thank you all so much for the gift you have given to my classroom. The play materials have increased the amount of interaction the students have with each other, as they now have attractive toys to bring to life their ideas. When they were first put out, they all noticed, commenting: "Wow Miss Jo, so cool!" "I like the new toys, Miss Jo!" "Is this for us?" Coming from students who have language delays, isn't this amazing? They have played with the materials in ways I did not imagine; one day they set up a birthday party using the kitchenware, and used the foam blocks to make a "cake." How creative! Thank you again for your donation, it has exceeded my expectations as a teacher and I am sure yours as a donor. The students are also truly grateful, and hope you continue to support public education!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Laurista