Mrs. Bajaj's Classroom Edit display name

Current requests

Past projects 14

• Cozy in Class

  Funded Mar 24, 2025

  Thanks to your generous donation of sweatshirts for my students, their learning environment has been greatly enhanced. By ensuring they stay warm and comfortable, students are now able to focus more on their lessons instead of worrying about the cold. This simple addition has not only improved their concentration but has also contributed to a sense of belonging and confidence within the classroom.

  Before receiving these sweatshirts, many students struggled with distractions caused by temperature changes, which negatively impacted their ability to engage fully in lessons. Now, with a warm, reliable sweatshirt, they can stay focused and participate with enthusiasm. Additionally, the act of receiving these sweatshirts has promoted inclusivity, as no student feels left out or self-conscious about their clothing.

  The warmth provided by the sweatshirts has had a direct effect on their well-being, which, in turn, fosters a positive learning environment. Your support has contributed not only to their physical comfort but to their overall success in the classroom. Thank you for making a significant impact on their education and making them feel valued every day. Your kindness has truly transformed their learning experience.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Bajaj

  This classroom project was brought to life by LOFT.

• "Interactive Storytelling: Exploring Creativity and Literacy with Mo Willems!

  Funded Dec 13, 2024

  I cannot express enough gratitude for your support in providing Mo Willems books for my kindergarten classroom. These books have made a tremendous impact on my students' love for reading, their literacy development, and the overall atmosphere of our classroom. Your generosity has truly brought joy, engagement, and learning to life in ways I could not have imagined.

  Mo Willems' books, including the beloved *Elephant & Piggie* series , have captivated my young readers from the moment they arrived. The engaging stories, simple yet expressive illustrations, and relatable characters immediately drew my students in. Many of them came into kindergarten with limited exposure to books, and these stories have opened up a whole new world for them. I have witnessed students who were initially hesitant about reading become excited to pick up a book on their own.

  One of the biggest impacts has been on early literacy skills. The repetitive text, sight words, and conversational style of Mo Willems' books have provided my students with a sense of confidence as emerging readers. They eagerly participate in shared reading experiences, pointing to words and predicting what will happen next. Some students who struggled with recognizing words at the beginning of the year are now reading short sentences independently, thanks to the accessibility and fun nature of these books. Seeing their progress and enthusiasm has been incredibly rewarding.

  Beyond literacy skills, these books have also fostered important social-emotional learning. The characters in Mo Willems' books navigate friendships, emotions, and problem-solving in ways that resonate with my young learners. *Elephant & Piggie* books, for example, highlight themes of kindness, sharing, and perseverance. My students have had meaningful discussions about how Gerald and Piggie handle their emotions and solve conflicts, helping them reflect on their own interactions with classmates. These stories have given us a natural and engaging way to talk about feelings and friendship in a way that truly connects with five-year-olds.

  Another exciting development has been the boost in student engagement. Mo Willems' books have inspired storytelling, dramatic play, and creative expression in our classroom. My students love acting out the stories, using puppets to recreate their favorite scenes, and even writing their own "Pigeon" or "Elephant & Piggie" books. Their excitement about these books has extended beyond our classroom as well—parents have shared with me that their children are requesting Mo Willems books at home and pretending to be the characters during playtime.

  Because of your generosity, my students have access to books that are not only fun and engaging but also deeply impactful in their learning and social development. You have helped create a classroom where reading is exciting, learning is joyful, and every child feels like a reader. Thank you for making this possible. Your kindness has made a lasting difference in the lives of my students, and I am truly grateful.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Bajaj

  This classroom project was brought to life by The Mo & Cher Willems Foundation and one other donor.

• Celebrating Chinese New Year: A Cultural Journey for Young Learners

  Funded Jan 6, 2025

  Teaching your kindergarten students about Lunar New Year through engaging activities such as red envelopes, fortune cookies, pancake cookies, and Asian candy has likely had a meaningful impact on your classroom culture and learning environment. Here's how:

  **1. Fostering Cultural Awareness and Respect**

  Introducing Lunar New Year traditions has expanded your students' understanding of different cultures, fostering an appreciation for diversity. Young children are naturally curious, and experiencing elements of a culture firsthand—like receiving red envelopes or tasting traditional treats—helps them connect emotionally and intellectually. This hands-on approach nurtures a sense of respect for cultural differences and highlights the importance of inclusion.

  **2. Building a Positive Classroom Community**

  Participating in these activities likely strengthened bonds within your class. For example, giving red envelopes emphasizes the importance of generosity and sharing, values that align with teaching social-emotional skills. Sharing candies or cookies also encourages collaboration and positive interactions among students, which contributes to a warm and supportive classroom environment.

  **3. Enhancing Student Engagement**

  Children thrive when they can learn through multisensory experiences. By incorporating food, crafts, and stories about Lunar New Year, you created opportunities for active participation and hands-on learning. Activities like decorating red envelopes or exploring the symbolism of fortune cookies make abstract concepts tangible, capturing the students' attention and making lessons memorable.

  **4. Connecting to Broader Educational Goals**

  Lessons about Lunar New Year naturally tie into key educational themes such as storytelling, math, and social studies. For instance, counting candies or the coins in red envelopes strengthens early math skills, while learning about the Chinese zodiac introduces storytelling and sequencing. These activities not only celebrate culture but also align with curriculum objectives, making learning fun and purposeful.

  **5. Encouraging Family Involvement**

  If you involved students' families in the celebration, perhaps by inviting them to share their own traditions or send in related items, it likely deepened connections between home and school. Family involvement reinforces the idea that the classroom is a space that values all cultures and perspectives, fostering a sense of pride in children from diverse backgrounds.

  By introducing Lunar New Year traditions, you've not only taught your students about a vibrant holiday but also laid the groundwork for a classroom that values diversity, kindness, and shared experiences. The impact of these lessons will extend beyond this holiday, helping your students grow into empathetic and globally aware individuals.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Bajaj

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

• Water Bottle Bank: Learning to Save and Spend Wisely

  Funded Oct 11, 2024

  I want to extend my sincerest gratitude for your generosity and support in bringing financial literacy lessons to our kindergarten classroom. Your contribution has made a real difference in helping our youngest learners begin to understand and appreciate concepts like saving, sharing, and spending wisely.

  Introducing financial literacy at such an early stage can be challenging, but with your support, we have been able to make these lessons accessible, engaging, and fun for our students. Through interactive games, stories, and hands-on activities, our kindergartners are learning to think about money in ways that connect with their daily lives. They're practicing counting and recognizing coins, learning about the importance of setting goals, and exploring what it means to make choices about spending and saving.

  Your donation has provided us with essential materials, from colorful play money and piggy banks to storybooks and visual aids that make these lessons come alive. These resources allow us to create a vibrant learning environment where students can explore financial concepts in a playful, age-appropriate way.

  The impact of these early lessons is already clear. Many of our students are excited to talk about saving up for something special or how they might share with others in need. They are beginning to understand that money isn't just about spending—it's also about planning, helping others, and making thoughtful decisions.

  Thank you for believing in the importance of financial literacy for even the youngest learners. Your kindness is empowering these children to build confidence in their abilities and helping them develop skills they'll carry with them as they grow. We are so grateful for your partnership in giving our students a strong foundation that will support them now and in the future.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Bajaj

  This classroom project was brought to life by Charles Schwab Foundation and 6 other donors.

• Activities That Advance Technology

  Funded Jun 25, 2024

  I am writing to express my heartfelt thanks for your generous gift card to Teachers Pay Teachers. Your thoughtful contribution is already having a tremendous impact on my kindergarten students, and I'm excited to share how it's helping us enhance our classroom activities, particularly those that incorporate and advance technology.As a kindergarten teacher, I am always looking for ways to keep my young learners engaged while fostering essential skills in creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration. Integrating technology into our daily lessons is a powerful way to achieve these goals, and your gift card has allowed me to access resources that I might not have been able to otherwise.One of the first things I did with the gift card was to invest in interactive digital learning centers that align with our curriculum. These centers, designed specifically for early learners, provide hands-on experiences with math, reading, and science through engaging digital tools. My students are learning how to count, identify shapes, and recognize sight words in a fun and dynamic way, and I've noticed a huge increase in their enthusiasm for these subjects. The interactive nature of these resources has been especially helpful in differentiating instruction for my students with various learning needs.In addition, I have been able to purchase digital task cards that encourage my students to work independently on tablets. These task cards are interactive and self-paced, giving students the chance to explore topics at their own level while receiving immediate feedback. This has not only boosted their confidence but has also helped them develop important 21st-century skills like digital literacy and critical thinking.Beyond individual learning, your contribution has enabled me to explore collaborative activities that enhance teamwork and communication among my students. For instance, I recently introduced a classroom project where students used simple coding programs to create their own digital stories. This activity not only strengthened their storytelling and sequencing skills but also gave them a sense of accomplishment as they navigated basic coding techniques to bring their stories to life. The excitement in the room when they saw their animations on screen was truly priceless!In today's world, being comfortable with technology is crucial, even for our youngest learners. Thanks to your generosity, I have been able to provide my students with experiences that introduce them to technology in a meaningful and developmentally appropriate way. These experiences are preparing them for the future while keeping them engaged and excited about learning in the present.I also want to mention how much this gift card has helped me as a teacher. Having access to high-quality, teacher-created resources through Teachers Pay Teachers has saved me hours of preparation time. I've been able to spend more time focusing on my students and adapting lessons to meet their unique needs because I have a wealth of ready-made materials at my fingertips.Once again, thank you so much for your incredible support. Your gift is making a lasting impact on my classroom and is helping to create a dynamic, tech-friendly learning environment where my students can thrive. We are all so grateful for your kindness and generosity.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Bajaj

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

• Stimulants for Emotional Balance

  Funded Jul 18, 2024

  I am writing to extend our heartfelt gratitude for your generous donation of playdough, autism-friendly toys, and clay. These resources have had an incredible impact on our students, particularly those who benefit from sensory stimulation and creative expression as part of their learning and emotional development.Since introducing these items into our classrooms, we have seen remarkable changes in our students' ability to manage their emotions and engage more fully in the learning process. Playdough and clay, for instance, have become powerful tools for emotional regulation. Many of our students, especially those with autism and sensory processing needs, find comfort in the tactile experience of molding and shaping these materials. The act of kneading, rolling, and creating with their hands provides them with a soothing outlet to express themselves and release built-up tension and anxiety. This has been particularly effective during transitions or after high-energy activities, helping students calm down and refocus on their schoolwork.The autism-friendly toys, which include items like fidget spinners, sensory balls, and textured puzzles, have also been incredibly beneficial. These toys offer students an alternative way to channel their energy and manage sensory overload, which can often be overwhelming in a traditional classroom setting. The toys provide a safe and acceptable way for students to self-regulate, allowing them to stay engaged and focused during lessons. For many of our students with autism, these tools have not only improved their ability to concentrate but also increased their confidence and willingness to participate in group activities.In addition, the creative use of clay has opened up new avenues for emotional expression and communication. For students who may struggle with verbalizing their feelings or experiences, sculpting and shaping clay has become a form of non-verbal communication. They can use the clay to create shapes, figures, and objects that represent their thoughts and emotions, making it easier for them to convey what they are feeling in a tangible way. This has been particularly helpful for students who have difficulty processing and expressing complex emotions. The therapeutic nature of working with clay has provided a much-needed emotional outlet and a sense of accomplishment when they see their creations come to life.The impact of these materials extends beyond individual emotional support; they have also fostered a sense of community and collaboration in the classroom. Students often work together to build structures with playdough or create group art projects using clay. This has enhanced their social skills, encouraging them to communicate, share ideas, and cooperate with one another in a positive and supportive environment.We have also noticed that these activities promote a more inclusive atmosphere, where students of all abilities feel valued and able to participate in meaningful ways. The sensory materials have become a common language through which students can connect and understand each other, regardless of their individual challenges or abilities. This has been a powerful tool in building empathy, respect, and a stronger sense of belonging among our students.Your generous contribution has truly transformed our classroom environment, providing students with the tools they need to explore, express, and regulate their emotions in a safe and supportive space. We are deeply grateful for your support and commitment to enriching the lives of our students. Your donation has not only enhanced their educational experience but also helped them develop crucial emotional and social skills that will serve them well beyond the classroom.Thank you once again for your kindness and generosity. You have made a lasting impact on our students and our entire school .”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Bajaj

  This classroom project was brought to life by An Anonymous Supporter and 4 other donors.