Ms. Santiago's Classroom Edit display name

Current requests

Past projects 9

• Cozy & Mindful

  Funded Dec 4, 2024

  Thank you so much for your contribution! My project asked for Weighted Lap Pad, a sensory tool that offers deep calming pressure, increasing the ability to focus, and relieving anxiety. It gives kids with the wiggles a comforting sense of security and has a relaxing effect on the body and mind. Unfortunately, these lap pads were unavailable on the vendor list. So I did the next best thing: I ordered materials to have students MAKE their OWN mini lap pads!

  As the yoga program in our school goes from K-5, I started out with a self-contained, bridge 3-5 Special Needs class. My students were so excited when I came in with the materials and about the project they were about to do. Cheers all around! My goal for using the Weighted Lap Pads and/or creating them was to give students a sense of relaxation, grounding, security, and be ability to self-soothe and regulate which are essential at school and home.

  This project incorporated mindfulness wherein the students really focused on putting together their mini lap pads. It gave them ownership of their development of coping mechanisms for stress, grounding and focus. We may not have received the Weighted Lap Pads; however, making their own mini laps was a success!!!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Santiago

  This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 11 other donors.

• Bring in the Sunshine!

  Funded Feb 14, 2025

  Thank you greatly for your donation. The students will be so delighted to practice their yoga and mindfulness on fresh, new bright mats. As a Title 1 school, we are forgotten most of the times; and as you may know, teachers have to dig in their own pockets to buy the resources necessary for our programs.

  Again, your donation is greatly appreciated.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Santiago

  This classroom project was brought to life by The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation and 7 other donors.

• SportsMatter: Yoga

  Funded Mar 3, 2023

  Thank you so much for your donation! My students are enjoying the vibrant colors all around the yoga classroom. With the help of the mats and stability discs, all of my students have benefitted from using the disc. For example, first graders can begin to work on the 1st Grade National Physical Education Standards: Demonstrate competency in many movement forms and proficiency in a few movement forms, demonstrate both static and dynamic postures, and demonstrate the ability to balance on different body parts while maintaining focus as you can see in the photos. Fifth graders are using the stability discs to help with core work! Amazing!!!

  Through continued practice, I'm confident that many will master the National PE standards.

  The mats can connect which make great for partner and small group work. I also like to connect the mats in a rectangular formation during sharing time so that students can see one another as the speak and share out.

  Again, it's wonderful to have such tools as my students look forward to utilizing during Yoga and Mindfulness activities. Once again, thank you for your donations!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Santiago

• Steady & Focused!

  Funded Dec 27, 2022

  Thank you so much for your donations! The students first try out balancing on their mats and then challenge themselves and/or their partners to balance on these Wobble Balance Mats as they learn poses like Tree and Warrior. These Wobble Balance Mats have been helping with mastering goals within the National PE Standards, specifically Standard 1 - Demonstrates ability to balance on different body parts while maintaining focus.

  When the packages arrived in the classroom, students were so excited to see what was inside. They were amazed with color (so vibrant) and happy that there's another great addition to other yoga tools already used in class.

  As a next step, students will continue to use the Wobble Balance Mats as support while practicing and mastering most of the other National PE Standards. Again, my students and I are most grateful for this resource.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Santiago

• Creating Our Emotions

  Funded Dec 21, 2022

  A million thanks to you! Your donations have helped students show and express their emotions. Students were surprised and excited with the new resources for the Mindfulness portion of our class. They wanted to try everything all at once! After I demonstrated using each resource, students divided themselves into groups to get to work. There was so much conversations around the activities that we look forward to continue connect with our emotions.

  THEIR FACES SHOW SO MUCH GRATITUDE AND JOY!!!!!

  I really am grateful for your donations as I wanted to promote more positive conversations when it came to expressing and creating emotions/feelings. My non-verbal students were able to communicate how they felt and continue to make great efforts using these resources.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Santiago

  This classroom project was brought to life by Center for Disaster Philanthropy and 3 other donors.

• Yoga and Mindful Art

  Funded Apr 11, 2022

  Thank you so much for your donation to my program! My students and I were very excited to receive the materials requested. Mindfulness lessons as well as ESL and literacy lessons incorporated the use of your donated materials.

  Many students especially ESL or non-English speakers usually shy away from discussions or expressing how they feel. However, students with the help of a partner were able to read and connect with their peers using the Read, Sort, and Match Social-Emotional Quickies puzzles. It is exciting to see how discussions and critical thinking occurs during "play time."

  After reading "I am me: A Book of Authenticity" by Susan Verde, my second group of students created their mini people. The materials were displayed on a table where students gathered how they were going to decorate their mini "them". They had such a wonderful time and were able to express themselves via their creations. Some even stated that their mini people were doing various yoga poses.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Santiago

  This classroom project was brought to life by Lakeshore Learning and 3 other donors.

• EXTRA! EXTRA! We Want to Read All About it!

  Funded Nov 29, 2016

  First and foremost, my students and I are very grateful for your donation of Scholastic News and Science Spin. When my students heard that the project had been fully funded, they were so excited and anxiously awaited to receive the class subscriptions. Once we received the magazines, they couldn't wait to get started. They look forward to viewing the videos, working on the printable as well as wanting to know what's new for the following months.

  As I've mentioned in the proposal, I teach 2nd grade ESL students who come from various parts of the world. Our school is a Title 1 school where most resources are had to obtain. By introducing the students to Scholastic News and Science Spin, students will be learning about the world around them, gain knowledge of important historical events as well as what's new in science. These high interest non-fiction magazines will also help them practice their reading skills, learn new vocabulary, use map skills and other primary resources in an engaging manner. The next steps for my classroom would be delving deeper into these high interest topics as well as trying out some science experiments to make it even more engaging and enjoyable.

  Again, on behalf of my students and myself, we thank you whole-heartedly for your contribution.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Santiago

• Our Future Leaders Need to Know

  Funded Nov 27, 2013

  My students and I are so grateful for the resources we have received. The Scholastic News and Science Spin magazines have increased the levels of interests in my ESL students. We use them during our Social Studies and Science content areas. The photos, videos, and online resources have really captured my students motivation to learn more about topics such as the Winter Olympics, famous African-Americans who have made impacts on society, hibernating animals, etc.

  My students Reading Levels have risen since incorporating Scholastic News and Science Spin. Not only are they enjoying the videos, printables and online games, they are learning about social issues and science topics that would not have been in our school's curriculum.

  Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart. Words cannot express how grateful we all are.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Santiago

• Listen to Me, I Can Read

  Funded Aug 29, 2013

  Thank you so much for your donation. When my students saw me walking on with a large package for them, they immediately wanted me to show them what was inside. As I pulled out each of the boxes, their eyes sparkles with excitement. They couldn't wait to get started.

  The Literacy Centers are rotated during our extended day periods which consists of the lower 1/3 of the class. As you can see, their spelling has improved drastically since we've started using the resources. As well, the literacy centers are rotated during our Literacy block so that every child in the class has an opportunity to work with. This project has helped boost students' writing and comprehension which can be a problem to most students learning English as a Second Language. Some may not fully understand how to write or read word, however, using the resources has helped them make progress.

  As I've mentioned in my project, the population that I work with is very diverse and in need of many resources that will help them meet their educational goals. My students and I are very grateful for the resources you have donated.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Santiago

  This classroom project was brought to life by Kia Motors America and 6 other donors.