Past projects 39
Rock the Boat
Funded Sep 30, 2021I love this! Unexpectedly, this is helping with transitions in an awesome way. Some of my students have great difficulty transitioning from one teaching station to another. I have strategically placed the boat upside down between these stations. Now, my students readily walk up and down the steps to transition to their next learning experience. They are also improving their balance and coordination with this one simple addition to our classroom environment. Two students who were once hesitant to walk across without holding my hand for support, are now confidently walking across independently!
My students play with the boat outdoors adjusting their bodies to cause the boat to rock. Initially, some just sat and waited or bounced up and down. Now they are moving their bodies back-and-forth to cause the boat to rock. You can sometimes hear them singing and humming songs.
Thank you again for supporting my class.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Sloan-Johnson
Read to Me, Please
Funded Aug 23, 2018Thank you for your kindness, generosity and support. Thanks to you, my Transitional Kindergarten students have daily access to six compact disc players!
The compact disc players and headphone sets have been combined with storybooks and Cd's. Students continue to self select which of six stories to listen to; and several students opt to listen to the same story repeatedly. Some students are also taking the initiative and writing about the text!
My students continue to express interest and enthusiasm when selecting the Listening Center during Independent Choice Time. We decide together when new stories and Cd's are added to the center and when favorites books remain. The compact disc players and headphones are a welcomed and appreciated addition to our classroom.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Sloan-Johnson
This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 3 other donors.Text Exemplars for TK
Funded Apr 20, 2015Your generous donation of text exemplars has already had a lasting impact on students in my 2014-15 class and my 2015-16 class. You have helped my Transitional Kindergarten students learn more about purposeful reading.
These young learners are listening to and reading literature and informational texts that provoke their interest. They are learning to distinguish between fact and fiction. Many of the texts, such as From Seed to Pumpkin by Wendy Pfeffer and I Read Signs by Tana Hoban have led students to ask and answer additional questions about the world we live in.
These books have enabled me to teach my students how to identify key details, how to identify what the author states explicitly and how to make evidence based inferences.
Our next steps are to delve into some of the longer chapter books, such as The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum and Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder.
Please be assured that your financial support is greatly appreciated and continues to have a positive impact my students reading success.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Sloan-Johnson
TK Scientists
Funded Feb 19, 2015My students were ecstatic when we received our special delivery. "Those big boxes are for us!" one student exclaimed. It was exciting for me to see the enthusiasm continue when they began to really explore the science materials.
The file folder games are great for promoting peer interaction. My students are working as a team to learn more about weather, plants, and animals. The Can Do Science kits are a huge hit for all of us. These materials include easy to understand and follow task cards. My students are self-sufficient at these centers and enjoy working with peers. They have begun to challenge each other with new ideas on how to use the kits.
The Can Do Motion Kit inspired several of my students to construct ramps during recess using giant LEGO bricks. It was wonderful to see my young learners apply what they are learning in the classroom to their outdoor play.
Recently, we began to explore our 5 senses. The Can Do Sound Kit was a perfect addition to our unit of study. In the weeks ahead we will be making instruments that generate loud and soft sounds.
Your kindness and generosity are greatly appreciated.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Sloan-Johnson
This classroom project was brought to life by First 5 LA and one other donor.Smiling In TK
Funded Jan 30, 2015Most of my Transitional Kindergarten students were super excited when I unveiled the large toothbrush and said, "Now you'll be able to brush your teeth at school!" Some had a look of doubt thinking that the toothbrush was simply too big. One student summed it up best- "That toothbrush won't fit. My mouth is little and I'm not suppose to share my toothbrush."
The model of the large toothbrush and jumbo teeth helped me to demonstrate proper brushing techniques to my TK kids. The ability to brush their teeth at school has proved to be a wonderful opportunity for them to practice life skills.
My students discovered that they could use the 2 minute timer or hum the alphabet song very very slowly to give themselves adequate brushing time. All of my students are happily playing with the puppet and he is often included in their general play.
The hygienic storage containers for their toothbrushes are great! Everyone has a special place for his or her toothbrush.
It is simply wonderful that my students are still excited about brushing their teeth! Thank you all for making this experience possible.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Sloan-Johnson
This classroom project was brought to life by First 5 LA and 3 other donors.Learning with Play-Doh
Funded Oct 12, 2014Your generous donation of Play-Doh, hammers and rollers has had and continues to have a great and positive impact on my students. Whether they are working with me or with their peers, my Transitional Kindergarten students show excitement, enthusiasm and focus when they are using the very colorful and tactile Play-Doh.
These young learners are reinforcing their knowledge of letters, shapes, words and numerals while having fun! When I showed them the shipment of Play-Doh and the tools, they clapped their hands and called out their favorite colors. A few of them began to share their plans of what they were going to do with this new resource.
Initially, they began to mix the different canisters of Play-Doh to create new and interesting colors. Later, creating foods and animals, both real and imaginary, was very common. They have also discovered that leaving the lids off, changes the texture of the Play-Doh. Now they remind each other to put the tops back on unless they are creating a permanent structure.
They are working extremely well side-by-side; my next challenge is to teach them to create designs and structures collaboratively. Your generosity has made it easier to engage my students in the learning process.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Sloan-Johnson
This classroom project was brought to life by Play-Doh and 3 other donors.Just the Facts, Please
Funded Feb 26, 2014On behalf of my Transitional Kindergarten students, I would like to thank each of you for your kind and generous donation. Your support has brought smiles and excitement to my young learners. Each time one of my TK students comes to me and says, "I can read this book!" or "Listen to me read this book. I can do it all by myself!", it reminds me of your generosity.
Not only are my students practicing their beginning reading skills, they are developing a true love of reading. They are eager to share their desire to read with others and are often heard inviting peers to our classroom library. Our library corner is the MOST popular free choice center in the room! It even beats out the computer center!! These books are a hit!
Thank you again for your donation and belief that everyone should have access to books.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Sloan-Johnson
This classroom project was brought to life by First 5 LA and 6 other donors.Rockin' with Pete the Cat
Funded Sep 12, 2013My students and I would like to extend our heartfelt thanks and gratitude for your support and generosity. My students were excited beyond words when the first Pete the Cat book was revealed. As more books were displayed and they began to comprehend that these special books would be added to the classroom library, their excitement could not be contained.
At the end of each school day, they are eager to visit the classroom library to borrow a Pete The Cat book- it appears that Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes is a favorite! They are continuing to learn the importance of handling the books with care so that everyone can enjoy the books again and again.
As an added bonus, my students are taking the initiative and talking with their peers about the books. They are also making recommendations to peers. These simple and authentic conversations are helping to develop my students' ability to communicate their opinions about books. To quote one of my students, "Pete the Cat is funny!"”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Sloan-Johnson
This classroom project was brought to life by First 5 LA and 5 other donors.Tell Me a Tale
Funded Mar 20, 2012Wow! What incredible and generous donors you all are. The compact discs, books, and puppets have been a welcome addition to our classroom library and have been put to great use. My prekindergarten students especially enjoy working with the puppets. Not only are they retelling traditional tales, like The Three Billy Goats Gruff and Goldilocks and the Three Bears, some of my young learners are also using the puppets to help develop and act out their own stories.
Once again, I extend my heartfelt thanks for your support, for your kindness and for giving my students access to these awesome learning tools. ”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Sloan-Johnson
This classroom project was brought to life by an anonymous donor and 5 other donors.