Past projects 8
A Relaxing Rug!
Funded Aug 22, 2018Thank you so much for your continued support and care towards myself and my students! Your generous donation has made our cold classroom into a warm, colorful environment that the students love coming to. It is a small replica to their classroom, and they now come to work in our small group environment with happiness and ease. They enjoy this special place where we come together to read.
Most times we work at our round table, sitting in chairs and keep in our own small, personal space. Now that we have the option, we have "reading picnics" where we can move the table, get a good book, and stretch out on the carpet. There is nothing more enjoyable then reading a book and being comfortable!
The students in our groups have been identified as struggling in one area or another, so giving them a space to relax and be comfortable helps eliminate some of the stricter rules and criteria usually placed on them. Giving them this space to feel relaxed and ready to take risks already puts them ahead!
Thank you again for your kindness and support!! It is definitely making a difference!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Winderman
This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and one other donor.Don't Forget About Fun!
Funded Aug 1, 2014Thank you again for your generosity and thoughtfulness in helping get my project funded. From the moment the boxes arrived, the energy in the classroom sky-rocketed and my students were eager to get their hands on all of the items.
In the last few months, imaginations and creativity have been vibrant and full thanks to all these new materials. I have watched my students become doctors, plan cities, build with tools and pretend to be all sorts of community members, all while expanding their vocabulary, language skills and working together to create friendships. They are so busy having fun the don't even realize the amount they are learning and growing!
The fun that these materials have brought us have been immeasurable in the impact on my students' day. It is with great gratitude that I thank you for helping bring some fun into our Centers activities.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Winderman
Learning With Legos!
Funded Sep 29, 2014Thank you all so much for your generous support in getting this project funded. As soon as the packages arrived, the imaginations ran wild and the creativity started flowing! Already our previous average Lego centers have become a popular area of our classroom and students are eager to start building, planning and creating daily.
In the short time we have had the materials, I have already seen several zoos being built filled with all the animals we were provided with, cities have come to life thanks to all the doors and window pieces, and cars, trains and bicycles have been rolling around because all of the wheel and people pieces we were able to receive. Stories are being told, conversations between friends are lively and full of excitement and of course the sharing and fun that is going on is tremendous. In truth, it is my one center that I often have to remind, no matter who is in it, that we are inside and need to use inside voices, because the excitement and energy is just so great!
Thank you again for your generosity and support! It has helped me create a fun, energetic learning environment for the students and there is no better way to learn then when you are with your friends and having fun!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Winderman
A Place to Sit
Funded Aug 23, 2012Thank you so much for your generous donation to our kindergarten classroom. Our new rug has been a vibrant, beautiful addition and has helped create a colorful, inviting environment for my students.
The rug is made beautifully and strong and has already been used to hold morning meetings, book talks, math lessons, show and tell and a variety of other activities. Since the rug is organized in boxes, it also helps us create an organized setting when the students gather. Each child has their own personal space, and this eliminates any other possible problems that may occur.
Your generosity has been truly appreciated and I am reminded of it daily when I open my classroom door and see this beautiful, colorful rug on the floor every morning. Our school year started before it arrived, and my students were so excited the morning it was delivered. I couldn't even imagine them having to sit on the cold floor each day. Their kindergarten experience would not be the same.
Thank you again for your generous support!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Winderman
You've Got Mail!
Funded Dec 29, 2011Thank you so much for your generous gift of materials to support our Social Studies unit about the post office. It has generated so much excitement in the classroom, that my students can not wait to go to the Letter Writing station during Center time. The best part is how it fosters so much learning in such a playful environment, which we all know is how 5-year-olds learn best!
Each day, students write to each other or other teachers or students throughout our building. From this, their writing skills have improved tremendously. They stretch out the sounds of words, use correct punctuation and have learned the proper way to compose a letter. Once the letter is complete, they address one of the envelopes you have so generously provided for us, and then use one of the stickers we received as a stamp. From there, they drop it in the mailbox that is set up now in our classroom. At the end of the period, students dress in the mail costumes and go around delivering the letters to the recipients.
It has truly been a wonderful experience for my students to have an active role in understanding letter writing and the post office. The excitement grows daily from wearing the costume, receiving a letter or even in writing to a friend. They have a better understanding of the lessons, and are having so much fun.
Thank you again for your support. Without your generosity, this project would not have been possible.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Winderman
Creative Play for Creative Kids!
Funded Nov 6, 2009It is with tremendous gratitude that I write this letter to you, in regards to the creative play materials you purchased for my classroom. My students now love spending time in our fully equipped dramatic play center.
Thanks to your contribution, a previous plain corner of our classroom has been transformed into a house, doctor's office, restaurant, family vacation spot, as well as several other things. With each transformation, language, friendships, imaginations and social skills emerge and develop. I am amazed on a daily basis the amount of creativity that takes place in this area of my classroom.
It is rare that our school has extra money available ever to purchase new materials, and when we do, this money is usually put towards books and curriculum enhancing items. Items for children to play with are often overlooked, no matter how important they are. This is the reason why your funding has been so important and beneficial to us. Without your help, this area of our room would be lacking.
On behalf of my Kindergarten students, I thank you for your support.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Winderman
Start Kindergarten Off the "Write" Way!
Funded Oct 7, 2009Thank you for your generous donations in funding my Kindergarten writing project. The supplies in our writing center have helped make my students grow into the great beginner writers that make our ideas flourish daily.
We have already written several different types of writing, such as Personal Narratives, Small Moments and "How To" Stories and it's only the middle of the year!
You have helped make Writing Workshop a creative, colorful, fun experience for my young students.
Thanks again for your support! ”
With gratitude,
Ms. Winderman
Building Blocks for Building Creativity
Funded Aug 8, 2008Thank you so much for your generous contribution. My Kindergarten students will be able to explore, create and develop ideas that otherwise would not be possible. Having a classroom full of building blocks provide students with vast opportunities to be creative in their play. With an abundance of supplies, the possibilities are endless. Again, I thank you for your donation. You have helped many young students begin their education in a positive, productive way”
With gratitude,
Ms. Winderman