Mrs. Brecker's Classroom Edit display name

Past projects 10

• No Bones About It II

  Funded Apr 6, 2023

  Thank you so much for your generous contribution.. This came 3 days before Easter so I cannot help but think the Easter bunny had a paw in this. Well, that is what I am going to tell my class of 5 year olds, anyway. Thank you for the huge smiles that I will be seeing on my students faces.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Brecker

  This classroom project was brought to life by LOFT.

• Communication Is Key

  Funded Nov 10, 2021

  Thank you so much for your generous contribution. Our new materials should arrive just in time for Christmas. I think I will be just as excited to see the gifts as my students. This has been a challenging year for my students because of the strict mandates. Thank you for spreading some good cheer.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Brecker

  This classroom project was brought to life by #TeachHealthy with Nature Made.

• Running For the Gold

  Funded Dec 2, 2020

  Thank you so much for the new tablet. Your generous contribution will now enable us to count laps swiftly and accurately.. In the past , the runners would have to pick up a popcycle stick after each lap they complete. At the end of the running period each student had to line up and have a teacher count and record how many laps the runner ran. At the end of each month I had to tally up all the laps from each student and record that. But with this new device, all the athlete has to do is flash his Q.R. code at the tablet and the device does all the work instantly!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Brecker

  This classroom project was brought to life by FamilyAlbum and one other donor.

• Safe Device Storage

  Funded Feb 3, 2021

  Thank you very much for your generous contribution . Our new portable charging station will come in handy this year when the students return to in person teaching. This year has been the hardest year I have had in my over thirty years of teaching. just making sure ever child in my class had a working device to start the school year was a challenge. Luckily our district was given the funds to help support all our students.On the upside, I have learned many valuable uses for technology that will support my curriculum. I will be using computers in the classroom everyday when we return and my new charging station will be utilized everyday.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Brecker

• Kids On The Run

  Funded Dec 3, 2019

  Thank you very much for your generous contribution for our new running club. The tablet came at just the right time. We are seven months into our running program and the work of counting every student's laps everyday was becoming a little overwhelming. But the first day I brought out the new technology to the track, my kids literally started running faster because they wanted to get their running card scanned. It was so much fun to see the joy in their faces and the extra spring in their steps as they walked, run, and even danced around the track. We even have had a surge in new students wanting to sign up for the program. And we don't turn anyone away that wants to experience!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Brecker

  This classroom project was brought to life by An anonymous classroom supporter and 4 other donors.

• Kids Run and Have Fun

  Funded Nov 13, 2016

  Thank you very much for your generous contribution for our new running club. The music sound system came at just the right time. We were four months into our running program and some of our athletes were getting a little loved. Some where only running once or twice a week. But the first day I rolled the music out ti the track, my kids literally came running out to the track. It was so much fun to see the joy in their faces and the extra spring in their steps as they walked, run, and even danced around the track. I made a huge play list of all their favorite songs (and mine!). We even have had a surge in new students wanting to sign up for the program. And we don't turn anyone away that wants to experience!

  The sound box is of good quality and is durable. It can be wheeled easily out to the track. The volume and clarity of the music is perfect. It came with a microphone so I can announce when it is time for their last lap. Now I assign a different student each day to make the announcement. What an honor it is for these young athletes to participate.

  Last year was the first year we started the 100 Mile Club at our school. Only two students made it to the 100 Mile mark. This year, because of the awesome music, I am hoping many more winners make their goals. Not only is the music inspiring for the students, it also entertains our parent helpers who are counting the laps.

  We already have a huge decline in tardiness because of the enthusiasm the runners have. What a great way to start the day.

  Without donors like you, thousands of students in the United States would go without support. Thank you so much.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Brecker

  This classroom project was brought to life by an anonymous donor and 5 other donors.

• Creative Common Core Activities for Kindergarteners

  Funded Dec 16, 2015

  Thank you very much for your generous contribution to my classroom. My kindergarten class is very excited to learn from the variety of language arts, math, and art manipulatives that you sent. The materials are of good quality and are durable. They will bring many years of learning enjoyment to my students. Without donors like you, thousands of classrooms in the United States would have to go without these vital resources. Instead of counting by fingers and on paper, now my students have fun manipulatives to use during their free time to learn in a variety of ways.

  The Magnetic Ten-Frames are giving my students a jump on learning the Common Core standards. We have group discussions using these manipulatives. For instance, I will place 4 counters in a ten frame. Then I will ask how many more counters do we need to make 10? How many more do we need to make 15? I can also use these for subtraction. I can roll a dice and put that number in the ten frame. When I roll another number, I can take away that number. Adding and subtracting is so vital in kindergarten. Now, instead of my students just memorizing their math facts, they can manipulate and understand the meaning behind this concept.

  The Magnetic Counting Maze is the childrens' favorite. I love watching my students independently build their fine motor skills, develop hand/eye coordination and practice sharing and turn taking. The children are amused and focused by their colorful balls. I rarely see a child without a smile on their face. This center helps my students with their collaborating skills.

  Thank you again for helping me challenge my children's minds in such a fun and skillful way.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Brecker

  This classroom project was brought to life by Alcoa Foundation and 4 other donors.

• A Gift Of Learning

  Funded Dec 31, 2014

  Thank you very much for your generous contribution to my classroom. My kindergarten class is very excited to learn from the variety of language arts, math, and art manipulatives that you sent. The materials are of good quality and are durable. They will bring many years of learning enjoyment to my students. Without donors like you, thousands of classrooms in the United States would have to go without these vital resources. Instead of counting by fingers and on paper, now my students have fun manipulatives to use during their free time to learn in a variety of ways.

  The pop and add game is the students' favorite. I love watching my kids "popping" the dice and using the manipulatives provided to help them add. This game also teaches them turn taking, patience, and other social skills. I rarely see a child without a smile on their face. Another fun addition game you donated is the Monkey Math Balance. The students can master addition and subtraction by hanging equal amounts of bananas on the monkey scale. This whimsical manipulative is always a hot center in my class.

  Another way the students can work on their social skills and science at the same time is through the skills and Real Bug Discovery Kit. I just place the activity at the center table and let the kids go to it. I actually hear squeals of delight coming from that area. There are 12 real insect specimens encased in indestructible acrylic. (Thank heavens!) My little scientists can safely explore these bugs from every angle. A magnified glass is even provided.

  Thank you again for helping me challenge my children's minds in such a fun and skillful way.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Brecker

  This classroom project was brought to life by Kia and 3 other donors.

• Kindergarteners Discover the Wonders of Nature

  Funded Sep 15, 2014

  Thank you very much for your generous contribution to my classroom. My kindergarten class is very excited to learn from the variety of language arts, math, and art manipulatives that you sent. The materials are of good quality and are durable. They will bring many years of learning enjoyment to my students. Without donors like you, thousands of classrooms in the United States would have to go without these vital resources. Instead of counting by fingers and on paper, now my students have fun manipulatives to use during their free time to learn in a variety of ways.

  The game of Pop Addition to "12" is my favorite. I love watching the students independently build their fine motor skills, develop hand/eye coordination and practice sharing and turn taking. The children are amused by the popping dice. Right now, my four and five year olds are counting the dots on the dice to get the correct answer. In the spring, they will become much more efficient at addition and will not have to count every dot. I rarely see a child without a smile on their face.

  The complete set of Science View Finders is another one of the students' favorites. This makes a nice addition to our science center. Every day each student gets a chance to view, for instance, the life cycle of the butterfly in 3-D. The colorful pictures are so amazing and life like.

  Thank you again for helping me challenge my children's minds in such a fun and skillful way.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Brecker

• Kindergarteners are Super Scoopers!

  Funded Apr 22, 2014

  Thank you very much for your generous contribution to my classroom. My kindergarten class is very excited to learn from the variety of language arts, math, and art manipulatives that you sent. The materials are of good quality and are durable. They will bring many years of learning enjoyment to my students. Without donors like you, thousands of classrooms in the United States would have to go without these vital resources. Instead of counting by fingers and on paper, now my students have fun manipulatives to use during their free time and learn in a variety of ways.

  The complete set of Tweezer Tongs color sorting is my favorite. I love watching the students independently build their fine motor skills, develop hand/eye coordination and practice sharing and turn taking. The children are amused by the colorful cubes. The Tweezers are great for developing fine motor skills and coordination. I rarely see a child without a smile on their face. This is also an excellent math center that I work with the kids on. The students very carefully have to pick up the correct number of cubes and sort it in the correct pile.

  Another way the students can work on their coordination skills is through the Acrobat Builders. I just place the activity at the center table and let the kids go to it. I actually hear squeals of delight coming from that area. The students get a kick out of sorting the manipulatives into different and sometimes even complex patterns. Then they connect a long train of them. This helps their counting and team work skills also.

  Thank you again for helping me challenge my children's minds in such a fun and skillful way.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Brecker

  This classroom project was brought to life by Dorothy and one other donor.