Past projects 6
Learning with Technology!
Funded Dec 17, 2021Thanks to your generous donations, my students have benefited tremendously; the wireless keyboard and mouse have been an eye-opener for these young lads. Technology develops students' social skills, research skills, and communication skills. The only task of parents and educators is to make children aware of digital citizenship. 21st-century technology also helps us, educators and parents, to make children the perfect digital citizens. Your continued support is greatly appreciated. I wish all of you a safe and fun summer.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Chow
Yoga into Fall: The Next Episode!
Funded Nov 10, 2021I'm so grateful for your support. Without you, the Yoga Into Fall program wouldn't be possible. As you may or may not know, studies indicate that these exercises improve both physical and mental health in school-age children (ages 6 to 12). Another benefit of yoga for children is that it helps them learn to be in the present moment while relaxing and gaining a peaceful state of mind, which ultimately improves their emotional regulation.
On a related note, and with the shortage of products due to the pandemic, the vendor was short three mats and kindly substituted them with a magnificent laminating machine. Students can laminate their yoga certificate of completion and take it home to show friends and family.
Again, thank you.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Chow
This classroom project was brought to life by #TeachHealthy with Nature Made.Yoga Into Fall!
Funded Oct 19, 2021I can't thank you enough for your kind donation; the yoga into fall program has been a tremendous success. It is helping my students act thoughtfully rather than react impulsively. Furthermore, it's dramatically improving their flexibility, strength, focus, concentration, mind-body coordination self-esteem, and self-empowerment. They are learning to be persistent, patient, and work towards their goals. Yoga also provides tools for practicing compassion, teamwork, collaboration, mindfulness, generosity, and flexibility. Again, thank you for your generosity and for making a difference.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Chow
This classroom project was brought to life by #TeachHealthy with Nature Made and one other donor.Keep Calm and Breathe!
Funded Jul 15, 2021I can't thank you enough for your kind donation; the yoga mats have worked wonders for my students. In just our first week back in the classroom, I have noticed the impact these have made on each of them. They happily tote and roll out their mats, and quickly take ownership by yelling, its mine! My initial thought was to help generate self-awareness and for kids to recognize their emotions. However, I am seeing that these mats are providing an avenue to process frustration, anger, or sorrow healthily. This in turn is also helping kids learn to act thoughtfully rather than react impulsively. Furthermore, it's dramatically improving their flexibility, strength, focus, concentration, mind-body coordination self-esteem, and self-empowerment.
Our daily yoga sessions are comprised of simple breathing exercises to relaxation techniques. I find this to be an extraordinary and healthy method to teach kids how to reduce stress in a healthy way and an important life skill that will help them as children and as adults. Furthermore, students are learning to be in the present moment while relaxing and gaining a peaceful state of mind, which ultimately expands their emotional regulation. As first graders, they are a bit overwhelmed with a larger classroom, new friends, and the different subject matters. Perfecting a posse or improving their balance and flexibility is proving to give these young lads a sense of personal empowerment and boost their self-esteem. Their colorful mats and the flexibility to move around the classroom provide a base to create a variety of poses and learn about their bodies and the movements they are capable of performing.
The beauty of yoga is its endless benefits one can enjoy and my young and bright minds are taking full advantage of this opportunity. First graders are flexible as a colorful slinky, but yoga introduces a different types of moves requiring children to focus and work on their memorization skills – both of which can translate over into their academic performance. Yes, it can be a skill as simple as rolling it back and placing it in its holder to maintain it nice and clean to improve their flexibility and strength, which can reduce their chance of injury.
The days can belong in the classroom, but the moment these mats are rolled out soon after the lunch bell, well they are promptly re-energized as these exercises provide an outlet for children to express themselves and to reset their young systems. It also teaches about discipline as they work on clearing their minds and creating their poses. Their relaxation skills are in full display the second they take possession of these mats.
I have also noticed their creativity levels, as well as their communications skills, are starting to spike. They were prompt to discover the benefits of moving around with their mats, and the fact that they can practice anywhere, and that breathing, concentration, the poses, will lead to constant self-discovery and inquisitiveness. Some have shared with me how they are practicing these moves at home without a mat but rather with their favorite pillow or just a towel. In my book, this is one hundred percent imagination and creativity at its best.
This point might sound obvious and trite, but your donation has opened up new horizons for these future leaders. Again, a million thanks for your kindness.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Chow
This classroom project was brought to life by Barbara Henker Trust.Twist and Shout...Color!
Funded Jul 15, 2021Thank you for your generous gift to our first graders. We are thrilled to have your support. Through your donation, I have been able to transform a simple corner of our classroom into an area of learning organizational skills. As you are aware, a well-organized classroom provides a positive environment and sends a clear message to students: this is your room and was created for you, with all your needs in mind, as your learning is important. Their eyes open wide as they look at these colorful organizers and their young brains begin to formulate ways to organize classroom materials and general school supplies. Most kids have cluttered backpacks, some will eventually organize their things because they can't stand the mess or don't want to get in trouble. However, this is quite normal because without any guidance they struggle with general organization. These organizers provide the first step towards learning the skills to organize, not to mention the space gets its maximum use, and an area of discipline starts to come alive.
Organization in the classroom is crucial. Their young minds are still developing and with a bit of assistance, they begin to learn how to keep themselves organized and on track with goals and assignments. These space organizers help when implementing systems that help the young lads keep up to date with paperwork and return papers in a timely manner. Of course, the organization isn't just keeping track of things. It's also about organizing your thoughts, managing time, planning, and knowing how to get things done. It means being able to set goals and do things in the proper order. The students write and post their names on the organizers and each takes responsibility and ownership of their organizer. By that, promising to establish daily routines. And, that's what I call an amazing start!
On the other hand, the magnetic write and wipe charts provide countless ways to teach these lads a variety of subject matters. These versatile charts adhere to any magnetic surface and draw students' attention to learning goals, assignments, daily schedules, reminders, and much more. I personally find these boards a great learning tool because they effectively engage both the body and brain in the learning process. This method of teaching is kinesthetic and visual. It engages the young students physically and mentally, and that is proven to boost learning. The boards also lend themselves for some fun, we can play games such as Win Lose or Draw, Tic Tac Toe, Chess, etc.
The variety of teaching subjects and games, allows the students to visualize thoughts, concepts, write down ideas, and plan and create in the group, and many other things. Inevitably, in our daily routines, we find an overabundance of mistakes, well these boards allow students to quickly erase and rewrite what they are working on and provide them a larger space to work out ideas. What a wonderful world this is when we have access to an erasable board, the kids often say!
You truly make a difference for us, and we are extremely grateful.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Chow
Let's Shape Up!
Funded Mar 24, 2012I would like to thank you so much for your generous donation. Words can not express how much my class appreciated the physical equipments. Your donation made it possible for my kindergarten students to engage in fun physical activities daily. We use the equipments to play, stay fit, listen to directions, sing, and participate in group activities.
The state requires that the students engage in physical activities daily. Your generous donation made it possible for my students to have fun and stay physically active at school and at home. They have learned physical skills needed in their daily life to stay healthy and it's all thanks to people like you.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Chow
This classroom project was brought to life by an anonymous donor and one other donor.