Mrs. Irwin's Classroom Edit display name

Past projects 16

• Keep the Learning Going...At Home

  Funded Jun 12, 2020

  Thank you so much for your generosity! Words cannot express how appreciative I am of what you have done here. These kits will allow ALL of my students to have the same learning opportunities at home where they are lacking the materials they would need. Getting these materials for themselves would be difficult in normal times. In the current situation it would be impossible after being out of work for some time due to COVID. Thank you so much for providing this opportunity and example of community for my students.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Irwin

• Help Us Hear Our Learning

  Funded Dec 9, 2019

  My students were very excited when I showed them our new headphones that had been donated. They thought it was especially neat that someone who had never met them cared enough to send them something. They knew that this meant we could use our iPad for more activities!

  Now we are able to have many different meaningful stations for both literacy and math. At any time, you can find our class listening to stories, creating our own books, scanning QR codes for information, working on learning apps and more! The headphones have made it so we can learn without bothering others.

  It's sometimes amazing how much the little things matter. Something as simple as headphones have completely changed how our classroom functions and learns. Thank you so much for making this possible for my students.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Irwin

  This classroom project was brought to life by Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and one other donor.

• All About the Alphabet!

  Funded Sep 16, 2019

  My students were so excited as the boxes came in. We anxiously opened each box to applause and shouts of anticipation. They could not wait for me to teach them the expectations for use and get them out into centers.

  Once in stations, my students adored their new activities. They looked forward to literacy stations every day. These letter activities were their favorite place to work. They were able to stay focused on learning their letters for the whole time.

  Due to these motivating activities, my students have shown great growth in their letter and sound knowledge. This made learning fun and easy to do.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Irwin

• Getting Handsy for Fall

  Funded Oct 10, 2018

  My students are in LOVE with these materials. As they helped me unpack the boxes, there was a lot of guessing about how we were going to use the materials. I always let them explore the materials and come up with their own ways to manipulate them in the beginning.

  Then I move them into different activities. A lot of these materials are used in our morning math tubs. Having these seasonal materials to change out our math tasks helps these skills that we practice all year long be more interesting and motivating. Some materials are also used in our fine motor drawers and help promote problem solving as well.

  These activities would not be possible without your help. My students know about these outside people who value them enough to help us. They constantly talk about how someone cares about them enough to provide these things for their learning. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Irwin

• Fine Motor Mania

  Funded Sep 4, 2018

  My students get very excited whenever I tell them that we are getting new materials thanks to the help of others. They always want to open the boxes right away. This was no exception. They eagerly helped me unpack everything. They were instantly drawn to the legos and playdough and we took the time to free explore these materials.

  After our initial exploration, these items went into our fine motor drawers to go along with guided activities that I have created or purchased on my own. The students LOVE these drawers. Some are a little challenging at times but they work hard to complete them. They are learning to persevere and think of new ways to try to accomplish them!

  Thank you so much for your generosity! You are the reason I have the things I need to help my students in all areas. I could not do this without you.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Irwin

• Breakout Kindergarten Style

  Funded Jul 18, 2017

  Thank you for your donations! My students have LOVED this addition to our classroom. They were very confused at first about why we were getting so many boxes and locks. Once we did our first breakout though, they were elated.

  I love how versatile these materials are. The students really benefit from the collaborative teaming and problem solving that they have to use to complete the breakout. These are not skills that we tend to focus on but that I feel like they really need.

  So far we have been using our breakouts as math review. However I am already thinking of how I can incorporate this idea into other parts of our learning. This activity has all of the students actively engaged. That is all because of your generosity.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Irwin

• The Shape of Kindergarten

  Funded Nov 10, 2017

  Thank you for your donations! My students were very excited to get to use the new shapes. This was much more engaging than having paper shapes.

  My students were able to understand the characteristic of each shape from being able to hold and manipulate them. Their growth and understanding of shapes has been shown in the conversations they have while working and on the tasks they are able to complete.

  Without your contributions, my students would not have gotten the opportunity to have this hands on exploration. You have impacted them more than you know.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Irwin

  This classroom project was brought to life by Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and 6 other donors.

• Adding Independence Through Technology

  Funded May 26, 2017

  Thank you so much for your generous donation! The charging station has been a great addition to our classroom. It has allowed my students to be responsible for their own devices in our room.

  Having a charging station that my students can reach and access has allowed my students to be independent with our technology. They are learning to be responsible with them or deal with the consequence if they do not take care of their iPads.

  At such a young age, these life skills that teach independence are vital. Thank you for giving my students a way that they can build confidence and grow.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Irwin

• Growing STEM in Kindergarten with a Technology Emphasis

  Funded Jan 19, 2017

  Thank you so much for your generosity. My kids are in LOVE with our OSMO. Their coding skills have grown by adding this hands on coding piece for them. This addition has turned the abstract idea of coding into something more concrete that they can understand. They also have really worked on their problem solving and spatial relationships with the tangram pieces. In the beginning they frustrated very easily but they are starting to persevere and continue trying to figure out the solution.

  The Snap Circuits have been another favorite. The first time one of the students figured out how to get it all together correctly and turn the light on was a huge accomplishment. The whole class rushed over to check it out. Now we have music, lights, and a crazy flying propeller being set off using their "electrical" skills. Again, I am amazed at how hard they will work to figure out why it's not working when there is an error in their project.

  You have made my students love their STEM time. They are more engaged, more inclined to persevere, and more willing to help each other. From the bottoms of our hearts, my class thanks you!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Irwin

  This classroom project was brought to life by Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and 4 other donors.

• STEM Growth in Kindergarten

  Funded Jan 16, 2017

  My class cannot thank you enough for supporting our classroom! These materials have allowed us to explore science in a different, more open ended way.

  My students were very excited to see all of the materials come in and learn what they were. They have been exploring different uses for the materials and are working to try them out in new, creative ways. We are going to start combining the materials to complete different challenges as the year is coming to an end.

  Thank you for your generous support. My class loves learning this way. They are learning to help each other with what each student needs. You have made a class of Kindergarteners very happy to come to school!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Irwin

  This classroom project was brought to life by Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and 2 other donors.