Past projects 3
Early Readers
Funded Nov 20, 2019My first grade students and I have enjoyed exploring the many new books that were gifted to our classroom through the project you funded! In first grade students read anywhere from 10-18 titles per week. Keeping books that are engaging, new, and at their level readily available can be tricky when they go through so many books. Through this project I am able to make sure students are getting books at their level and of interest to them.
As you can see in the pictures, students are engaged in their reading both independently and through partner reading. They love to share their reading, talk about their books, and help each other problem solve through tricky parts.
First grade students can sustain independent reading time for 30 minutes in our classroom because they have many books to choose from and are engaged in the books they are reading. The many new titles funded through this project are enjoyed by all!! We are so very appreciative of your support and commitment to helping kids literacy grow.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Karls
The Rug...Where Students Become Family!
Funded Jul 12, 2017It is with great appreciation that I would like to say, "Thank you," for donating to our classroom. Our classroom is centered around the project that you funded. Each day we start and end our day on the Classroom Rug....along with each of our lessons for reading, writing, and math.
The rug that you donated towards is a great place for all the students to meet. As a district initiative, this school year, we are making sure we start each day with a Morning Meeting. This is a time to build community and a safe place for all students. We meet here to greet each other, share, and build an activity that creates community. This time is much more special because ALL students can gather and fit onto the rug that you have funded. Not one student is left out or without a spot in our circle.
First graders are intrigued by the color and design on our rug and have even found specific areas of the rug that they would call "theirs." We will continue to use this space to build community and our learning environment. Best of all...it's a rug that will last many, many years and there will be many, many classes that get to build relationships on it.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Karls
This classroom project was brought to life by Herb Kohl Philanthropies and 7 other donors.Flexible Seating
Funded Aug 2, 2016Dear Donors,
I am writing to Thank You and update you on my Flexible Seating Project. Teaching 1st Grade, I was a bit reluctant about how the students would handle the new seats. I was worried they would see them as toys and not tools to help them focus and learn. However, I have been very surprised at how well the transition to this seating in my classroom has went. The students are loving the seats.
Each day students can sit at various seats. During reading and writing time they are assigned to a specific seat in the room. This allows for some structure and for the students to be seated at each type of seat throughout the month. There are definitely some types of seats that are a "favorites" to specific students.
More recently I have been able to use the seats to help provide movement for students who are having a hard time controlling their bodies when we are having whole-group learning at the carpet area. Just last week I pulled a ball seat up to the carpet and a student was able to sit on it, while bouncing up and down. This particular student was crawling around the carpet and playing with other things until I pulled the seat up. This allowed the student to better focus and even participate in the discussion that was occurring with her peers.
I am excited to see how the year progresses in our classroom with flexible seating.
Thank you for all your support. I truly couldn't be doing this amazing thing in my classroom without you.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Karls
This classroom project was brought to life by Best Buy Education and 11 other donors.