Ms. Killeen's Classroom Edit display name

Current requests

Past projects 25

• Morning Meeting Teaches Compassion

  Funded Jul 4, 2024

  Thank you so much for funding our classroom rug! It gets so much use on a daily basis, from morning meeting (now "circle time" in TK) to free play and rest time, students are always finding a comfy spot on the rug. It gives them a defined space to sit and learn, as well as a big open space to play and experiment, putting that learning to use!

  The main focus of our curriculum in TK is social skills- how to be in a classroom community. Our circle time is where I directly teach these skills, and the rest of the day I am coaching students in using them. Knowing what to do in all kinds of social situations, whether its friendly play or conflict, will help students to be successful and compassionate as they continue through school.

  Thank you for supporting my classroom!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Killeen

  This classroom project was brought to life by The Compassion Project and 3 other donors.

• Sowing the Seeds for Outdoor Learning

  Funded Nov 5, 2024

  Over the past four months, TK students have spent a portion of every day learning and playing in our school garden space. There's not a lot growing right now, but our dormant garden has provided the space to explore, get dirty, work together, and expend some energy. It has been such a joyful time in our day. We have a garden workday planned with volunteers from our community who will be weeding, repairing the fence, and organizing the shed. Then we will have space to store these supplies and have a true outdoor classroom space. We got a donation from school garden network of plants and seeds, and classes will have the opportunity to plant them this spring and continue learning outdoors!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Killeen

  This classroom project was brought to life by Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation and 5 other donors.

• Making the Classroom Their Own

  Funded Aug 27, 2024

  Well, there was a sudden change of plans! One week into this school year, my teaching assignment was changed from 4th grade to Transitional Kindergarten! Luckily, the materials donated to us were all open ended enough to support their needs as well! My TK students are indeed using construction paper and markers and playdough on a daily basis to make the classroom their own. Our classroom is their most familiar place on a big campus that is entirely new to them. Our classroom is decorated with their artwork and their photos and evidence of all the learning and growing they've done during their first year of school. My hope is that they see their work hanging on our walls and it helps them feel confident and proud of the learners they are, and helps them develop a loving learning that will stay with them for life.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Killeen

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

• Playtime Improves Peer Relationships

  Funded Aug 25, 2024

  Thank you for providing play materials for my classroom. When I requested these items, I was assigned to teach third and fourth grades for this year, and I imagined students using these materials as a "soft start" to their academic day for a few minutes each morning. Shortly after receiving these items, I was transferred to Transitional Kindergarten, where play takes up the majority of our day. These materials are getting more use than I ever imagined. These magnetic tiles are a particular favorite and I made sure that they are always available for students. The structures they build are incredible, and they are learning so much about sharing and cooperation as well as physics and geometry. The magnetic rods are a popular addition to the science center, and students are just now discovering that they can use them to build 3D structures as well. Without your generous donations, I would have started off in TK without anything Ave appropriate for my students to do, so thank you for supporting my classroom.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Killeen

  This classroom project was brought to life by The Compassion Project and one other donor.

• Encouraging Developing Readers (Part 2)

  Funded Aug 2, 2023

  As a Reading TOSA, I coordinated a program called Walk to Read, in which students in 1st-3rd grades receive small group reading instruction at their unique level daily for 30-45 minutes. Teachers received ongoing training and coaching to enhance their level of instruction so that it is effective for all students. One major focus has been providing multi sensory opportunities for students during reading. We want to see students out of their seats, using their bodies, looking at different visual supports, responding with their voices and in writing, etc.

  Your generous donations have contributed to white board markers for students to practice spelling, chart paper so the teacher can prepare anchor charts, finger puppets for more engaging letter tracing, pointers so that students can lead the class in choral reading. Our students are enjoying these tools and the teachers are thrilled that they were provided to them!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Killeen

  This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 2 other donors.

• Encouraging Developing Readers

  Funded Jul 22, 2023

  Thank you for providing the materials my school needed to provide multi sensory reading instruction this past school year.

  As a Reading TOSA, I coordinated a program called Walk to Read, in which students in 1st-3rd grades receive small group reading instruction at their unique level daily for 30-45 minutes. Teachers received ongoing training and coaching to enhance their level of instruction so that it is effective for all students. One major focus has been providing multi sensory opportunities for students during reading. We want to see students out of their seats, using their bodies, looking at different visual supports, responding with their voices and in writing, etc.

  Your generous donations have contributed to white board markers for students to practice spelling, chart paper so the teacher can prepare anchor charts, finger puppets for more engaging letter tracing, pointers so that students can lead the class in choral reading. Our students are enjoying these tools and the teachers are thrilled that they were provided to them!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Killeen

  This classroom project was brought to life by An Anonymous Supporter and 8 other donors.

• Visual Supports for Language Learning!

  Funded May 11, 2024

  Thank you again for contributing much needed supplies for my classroom. My students were able to finish the school year with engaging activities that supported their language and vocabulary development!

  They use the highlighters and chart paper daily as they work in groups. The pants hangers have been fun to use to hang their completed charts around the room. I use the sentence strips to create language puzzles for them that they manipulate and solve. I use the cardstock to print out "picture file cards" that provide context for concepts they may not be familiar with. All of these strategies are really helping to keep them engaged and to increase the level of language they're using in the classroom!

  As always, I appreciate your support!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Killeen

• Bridge to Reading!

  Funded May 11, 2023

  Thank you so much for providing the Heggerty Bridge to Reading Materials for my schools. These materials are being used in Reading Groups for struggling readers in 4th, 5th, and 6th, as well as in core phonics instruction for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders.

  This program is primarily daily practice activities, or "word games" as we call them, that support the development of phonemic awareness for students. Phonemic awareness is the ability to recognize and manipulate the unique speech sounds in a word, and is an important developmental skill for early readers. Students with poor phonemic awareness are more likely to have reading difficulties.

  The best things about these activities is that they are fun and engaging, and no prep for teachers. They are a simple and effective way to build the skills students may be lacking as they learn to read. They have added a valuable routine to our reading lessons and are already proving to be helpful for students!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Killeen

  This classroom project was brought to life by An Anonymous Supporter and 6 other donors.