Past projects 4
Stand By Me!
Funded Dec 1, 2021Our class loves the standing desk! Each student has asked to use it. Not all students (or adults) benefit from doing their work while sitting. Many need to get up, stretch, and stand. The standing desk allows the students to focus better, while being able to stand while working. The students have benefitted from using the standing desk to complete work in all academic areas, including reading, writing, math and digital learning.
Thank you for your generosity and for making our classroom a positive and productive learning environment!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Smith
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 4 other donors.Wobbly Workers
Funded Aug 27, 2016The 4 colorful wobble chairs are the most talked about seating option in my classroom! Each student loves having the opportunity to sit on one. Although I had a few different students in mind who are always moving around and who I knew the chairs would help the most, I've noticed all of the students benefit from using them. We rotate the wobble chairs so each student has an opportunity to sit on one. The continual movement has made such a positive impact in their ability to stay focused and complete their work. The students are able to rock back and forth, without tipping over and hurting themselves, as they do in regular chairs.
Other teachers have noticed the difference the wobble chairs have made in my classroom and have asked to borrow for some of their fidgety students. Several teachers have also purchased the wobble chairs because they have seen how focused the students become when sitting on these chairs. Whenever we have visitors in our classroom, whether it's parents, teachers, administrators, or presenters, they all love sitting on the wobble chairs too!
First grade is filled with learning new skills, but expecting young students to sit still in a regular chair is not always the most conducive way for some children to learn. The wobble chairs have made paying attention, learning, and even calming down much easier for them. My students and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your generous donations to fund our classroom project.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Smith
This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 5 other donors.ABC...123...A Classroom Carpet For Everybody!
Funded Sep 15, 2015We have been using our ABC/123 carpet for a few months and it has benefited my students in a variety of ways. Not only is it visually appealing, but it more importantly gives my students clear boundaries where to sit when we are at our meeting area. Whether we are at morning meeting, completing our daily calendar activities, reading, doing shared writing, or whole group math activities, the students now have a clear visual where to sit, and are able to easily give each other the personal space they need. We also use the rug during our literacy and math centers, as well as when we are completing whole group projects. The carpet also helps my students review their numbers and letters when they are asked to either sit on a letter, tell the sound of the letter they are sitting on, or say a word that begins with their letter. Numbers are reinforced when they are asked whether they are sitting on an even or an odd number.
The students were beyond excited when the carpet arrived and couldn't wait to unroll it in our meeting area! Any visitor who comes to our classroom also comments on the beauty and educational value the carpet provides for first graders.
My students and I love our carpet and use it multiple times each day! It is bright and colorful and really makes the classroom a happy learning environment. It now only takes my students seconds to sit at our meeting place, whereas before it would take much longer as there were no visual boundaries for sitting and giving each other personal space. The pictures on the carpet provide very clear visuals as to where my students should be sitting, while also helping them review their alphabet and number recognition skills. My students and I cannot thank you enough for your generous donations to help fund this project.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Smith
Fidgety First Graders
Funded Jan 30, 2015The colorful Hokki stools are by far the most talked about object in my classroom! Each student loves having the opportunity to sit on one. Although I had a few fidgety first graders in mind who are always moving and who I knew the stools would truly help focus, I've noticed all of the students benefit from using them! I have seen such a difference in the students' attention to task while they are using the stools. The students are able to rock back and forth, without the fear of tipping over, while using the stools. The continual movement makes such a positive impact in their ability to stay focused and complete their work.
One student in particular is over the moon any time a visitor enters our classroom, whether it be a parent, other students and teachers from different classrooms, administrators, or even a visit from a local firefighter to teach about fire safety. This student always exclaims the same thing when the visitors enter the room, "Let me show you my stool!" The visitors all love sitting on the stools too!
There is so much to learn in first grade, and sitting still in a regular chair is not always the best way for some of my young students to learn. The Hokki stools have made focusing, learning, and even calming down much easier for them. My students and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your generous donations to fund our classroom project.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Smith