Past projects 16
Diversity Books in 3K Classroom
Funded Jul 1, 2020What you have done and helped create in my classroom has been such a rewarding experience not just for my students but for the teachers as well.
Creating our classroom library that reflects the diversity in the world helped my students to have exposure to someone who looks or talks or prays differently than their family does can not be expected to immediately accept that person.
Kids of color like my students need diverse books because so often they do not see themselves in literature, and therefore feel marginalized, even invisible. White kids need diverse books because they see too much of themselves in literature and this may lead them to feel that they are the center of the world.”
With gratitude,
Dr. Burch
This classroom project was brought to life by Google.org and 9 other donors.Flexible Seating In The Bronx
Funded Aug 11, 2020My students are using these new flex seating cushions as a great alternative to seating at the table all the time. They can use them when they want to sit in the centers or just for relaxation purposes during the day.
Flexible seating allows them to wobble, rock, bounce, lean, or stand, which increases oxygen flow to the brain, blood flow, and core strength. In turn, this burns more calories and increases metabolism. It also helps keep young minds more alert and focused.
They reacted to this new seating like a kid in a candy store. They were overjoyed to have a seat they could call their own even though this covid crisis.”
With gratitude,
Dr. Burch
This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 6 other donors.Using Our Imagination in 3K
Funded Aug 13, 2020This is one of my student's favorite item in our Reggio Inspired Classroom this irresistible play treehouse has all the charm of the real thing! Scaled to our Treehouse Furniture Set and Lakeshore Pose & Play Families, the 3-story hardwood house features 6 spacious rooms that are accessible from front and back. Plus, the treehouse is packed with delightful details that turn every day into an outdoor adventure—from fun rope ladders to a built-in slide!
Dollhouses engage children in imaginary play, which provides important educational benefits for intellectual and social development. When children are engaged in imaginary play they are able to freely investigate and learn about the world around them. During pretend play children use symbolic representations for the objects and actions they are exploring. When children role-play and explore dialogue it helps them develop social, emotional, and intellectual skills. According to child development experts, role-play helps children acquire confidence and a sense of self, and it is also a key component to learning.
Thank you so much for your support.”
With gratitude,
Dr. Burch
This classroom project was brought to life by Kleenex Brand.3K Reggio Inspired Environment
Funded May 5, 2020In my Reggio Emilia approach classroom environment is viewed as a place that is welcoming, authentic aesthetically pleasing, culturally representative of the community, embraces nature, and filled with purposeful materials. These new materials helped to enhance the children's learning experiences. We were able to add a new center called the maker space and used the outdoor benches as flexible seating. The students love to seat on these benches.
In our loose parts area, we added the wooden block balance that the children can explore When my students engage with the Wooden Block Balance, they obtain the following early STEM-based skills:
1. Spatial sense: introducing the ideas of shape, size, space, position, direction, and movement
2. Estimation: the ability to make a good guess about the amount of something.
3. Problem-solving: the ability to think through a problem, to recognize there is more than one path to the answer. It means using past knowledge and logical thinking skills to find an answer.
Utilize concepts of none, more, less, most, smaller, smallest, bigger, biggest.
Reasoning: drawing conclusions with logic and existing facts.
Probability: understanding the likelihood or chance that something will happen.
Thank you so much for all your support.”
With gratitude,
Dr. Burch
This classroom project was brought to life by SONIC Drive-In and 2 other donors.3K Music
Funded Jan 2, 2020Thank you so much for the very generous gift. Your kindness and thoughtfulness are very much appreciated. But what I appreciate most is that my students will have the opportunity to experience music just like other students. Even though my students are from a low income area we will not let it define us.”
With gratitude,
Dr. Burch
3K Future Leaders
Funded Aug 3, 2018I would like to thank you for your donation to my classroom. I teach a 3K class in the South Bronx and my students are using the materials on a daily basis. Everyday when we have circle time they sit on the rug and they have ample space. The rug is also very plush and soft for my students. Circle time is a great way for students to get a sense of community with other kids their age and enhance their social skills and improve their attention span. I believe that starting with circle time helps to introduce the topics and plans for the day. We also use the rug for music and movement and block area explorations.
We also received a couch and chair for our library area. The students love to read and sit in the chair and couch with their friends. Through your donation my students are given the opportunity to have a library corner that provides a place for exposure to group reading activities. This helps my students to acquire social skills. Read books to groups of preschool children to help them learn to pay attention in a large group. Group reading activities also help children learn to share and take turns with peers. Encourage children to share books and take turns reading stories to each other. They were very excited when they saw the materials and how nicely they were set up just for them.
Our next steps is to continue to use these beautiful materials and add additional books to the library and more musical instruments to our music center.”
With gratitude,
Dr. Burch
This classroom project was brought to life by Lockheed Martin and 4 other donors.