Past projects 11
Discoveries that Thrill Our Littlest Learners
Funded Jan 19, 2024My three year old students are so excited to "meet" their new toys! They are engaged, thrilled, and happy. So many new learning opportunities.
The new materials are encouraging communication and negotiation. At first Keh'Lani and Malachi couldn't decide who would use the red car and who would use the blue car at the car wash. A minute into thought, they had an idea. Let's set a timer! Every three minutes they would switch cars!
Finally, the new materials are encouraging exploration. Waqas took all the numbers out of the number puzzle and put them in order without the puzzle board to guide him. This number puzzle also helped his teachers observe his evolving skills.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Esther
This classroom project was brought to life by Someone who cares about New York City and 5 other donors.Play Dough? More Like Play Woah!
Funded Oct 26, 2022Allow me to describe the impact your gift has had on our class of 3 year olds. The kids are building language skills when they enjoy making hot dogs, cookies, and pizza with the play dough and play dough tools. We, the customers and teachers, are building their vocabulary by asking for mustard and relish on the hot dogs rainbow sprinkles on the cookies, and pepperoni on the pizza.
The children are building socio emotional skills as they are challenged daily with the decision to share even when sharing can sometimes be really hard.
Finally, the kids are gaining mathematical skills as we ask for just half of what they've got or when we ask them for equal amounts of play dough for two more friends who have come to play. Thank you!!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Esther
This classroom project was brought to life by Panda Cares and 2 other donors.Welcome to Our Big World!
Funded Aug 12, 2021Thank you so much for the annual subscription to My Big World. My Big World is a great tool to help our Pre-K scholars practice reading skills because it draws them in with beautiful, vibrant pictures. The pictures are of beloved animals, families at home, and children in school. These are topics that interest our Pre-K children. The pictures are paired with rich language, new words, and funny little songs. My Big World is one perfect package for our emergent readers. And so they exclaim, "This is what reading is all about? Wow! We love reading!"
What a wonderful opportunity you have given to our Pre-K kids.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Esther
This classroom project was brought to life by Bill Gates and one other donor.Who Wouldn't Want to Play with these Colorful, Appealing Materials?
Funded Jan 1, 2020When my Pre-K kids saw their new materials, they were soooo excited! They REALLY like the Create-a-Burger toy. The kids are sequencing the cheese, beef patties, and pickles every day. Pre-K 143's math AND communication skills are growing as they play and talk to each other... "I need a burger with cheese, tomato, and pickles please". "OK! Coming right up!". I can tell that they feel lucky to get such beautiful materials as they rush to pick them up (waiting your turn can be rough) and as they put the materials away with careful attention.
Thank you so much for being part of their very special year!!! We are so grateful!!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Esther
That Looks Like Fun (It is!)
Funded Nov 2, 2019There is a new excitement in the Pre-K classroom at Bronx Little School! From the expression on their faces (mouths were hanging open and eyes were open wide), there was no doubt that ALL Pre-K 143 students wanted to dive into our very intriguing materials. Therefore, I knew we had to have a discussion about taking turns, sharing, and taking care of the new materials so that we will enjoy them for a very long time. We talked about the importance of only 2 friends at a time and returning their materials to their photos on the shelf so that all of our friends could have a turn. Then we watched, with great pride, our students finding a friend to work with, taking turns, sharing, taking care of materials, and immersing themselves into the world of letters and language.
As a Pre-K teacher of 28 years, I know that sometimes people looking into our classroom think that Pre-K is just a bunch of play and what can children possibly learn from that? But we know better. Thank goodness for you. You see the significance of play and are determined, like me, to keep it in the lives of our children.
Thank you for partnering with me and my Pre-K kids!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Esther
I Can Change The World, Too!
Funded Jan 29, 2019Your contribution is enjoyed daily in our Pre-K classroom. The children have free reading time every morning. At that time, a child can choose ANY book, look at the pictures, and enjoy the story. I am happy to discover that the kids ask for the "Hero Books" EVERY morning. For instance, this morning Hillary asked, " Has anyone seen the Jane Goodall book?" It is actually a good thing that Hillary has to ask about the books' whereabouts, it means that other children have picked them up and perused them. They children love Jackie Robinson and George Washington, the colorful illustrations and, it seems, the idea that these heroes were once small too. Thank you again! The kids are growing and learning thanks to your donation.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Esther
Youngest Scientists Eager to Discover Their World
Funded Nov 13, 2018Thank you! Tragically, funding for education is a tiny percentage of the federal budget. It leaves educators and families holding the short end of the stick. Of course we want our kids to grow and learn however the funding for materials is just not there. Thank goodness for your kindness and optimism. It makes our kids' growing and learning possible. They were so excited to set up a chain reaction. When they successfully directed the ball through a maze into the goal that they created, they jumped up and down cheering victoriously. Their eyes widened as they discovered their magnets moved the iron filings in their new Magic Window. Finally, when they discovered the What's That Sound Tubes, they giggled together. Thank you for giving my students these materials that teach but most importantly, thank you for letting our kids know that they matter.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Esther
Letters and Language for Little Learners
Funded Sep 6, 2017You have made a very important impact on my Pre-K class. When my Pre-K students saw their new quiet reading space, the Toddler Treehouse, they let out a collective "OOOOH". When I explained that two friends can bring two books into the quiet reading space they looked at each other, their eyes saying, "Do you want to go in there with me??" This is how friendships were born in my classroom this year. I have also noticed, that this class, has a real fondness and love of books. This did not happen in previous years. I think the Toddler Treehouse has created a place that is special where a book can be shared and friendships can bloom.
I had to reassure the class that their new toys; the Alphabet Maze, the ABC Locks and Keys, the
ABC Mystery Box were going to available for them to use all year long. You see, those that had to wait their turn to explore the beautiful, new toys were disappointed. A reassuring conversation helped the kids understand that when their friend was finished exploring the new toys, it would be their turns. They were overjoyed to learn that it was highly possible to try each toy again and again.
Thank you! The beautiful donation makes learning early language skills fun and vibrant. You have opened the door to a stimulating and inspiring learning process.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Esther
This classroom project was brought to life by PNC Grow Up Great® and one other donor.Tiny Scientists
Funded Sep 16, 2016Thank you! The children of Pre-K 143 LOVE their new classroom materials. They are especially excited about the new STEM Science Station - Sink or Float toy. Together, friends experiment to find out how many frogs, jewels, and sea creatures it takes to sink the raft. So far, it has been IMPOSSIBLE to sink the raft even if ALL of the above mentioned pile on! The best part is, the kids have new words to describe the fun they are having; sink, float, heavy, light, dense, and above and below.
Their faces lit up when they were introduced to the House Building Engineering Toy. The 8 photo cards that show actual buildings and architectural designs, enables boys and girls to discover the shapes used to build houses and towers. The kids are inspired to make their own original homes and towers that use the same important elements!
If the kids were writing this they; d definitely say, "We are learning so much. Thank you for giving us these beautiful new toys!"”
With gratitude,
Ms. Esther
Growing and Learning Through Play
Funded Sep 16, 2016Thank you for funding my project. These colorful, enticing toys motivate my students to explore and learn. The materials make learning fun. In years past, I discovered that tiny, idle hands can get themselves into sticky situations. This year, I am not having that problem because the children have so many different toys to choose and learn from. The kids are excited to come to school. If we do not have time for playtime number two, the kids groan!
Yesterday, an older sibling of one of my students came into my classroom to pick up her sister. "Wow", she said, "you have so many toys! I wish I was still in Pre-K!". One of my goals as a Pre-K teacher is to create a very unique year for my students. I want to create a school year, unlike any other, that they will always remember and cherish. I think I am on my way to doing so.
Thank you for helping me reach MY goal so that I can help my students reach theirs!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Esther