Mrs. Formica's Classroom Edit display name

Past projects 13

• Supporting Sensational Scientists in Pre-K

  Funded Nov 16, 2018

  Thank you so much for donating towards this project! The materials that were received are being utilized everyday in our science/discovery center. Since receiving these new materials, my students are all rushing to get to the science center first during choice time. My students were beyond excited when we introduced all the new materials to them, all so eager to learn through these new hands on manipulatives.

  The motion discovery tubes have been a huge success so far, having students completely engaged and asking questions about movement, motion and space. My students gather around these tubes and engage in conversation with each other, asking questions such as, "How does the ball move like that inside?" and "What happens if I shake the tube?" My students have also spent a lot of time with the life cycles and insect kits. They love using the magnifying glasses to look closely at the different specimen and talk about their observations with their friends. This has helped my students to act like real scientists by making observations and conclusions. They are expanding on skills such as comparing and contrasting and drawing conclusions. The magnet kit has given my students the opportunity to explore the effects of magnetism through a combination of fun science experiments and games. Many of my students also enjoy working with classmates to complete the four seasons floor puzzle, promoting team work and collaboration in the classroom.

  These materials have opened up a window of curiosity and scientific inquiry in my little learners. They have helped to promote observation, questioning and wonder on a whole new level for my students. Thank you again for all that you have done!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Formica

  This classroom project was brought to life by Staples.

• Pre-K Prints to Enhance Learning

  Funded Jul 17, 2017

  With warmest gratitude, we would like to thank you for your very generous donations and providing us with the resources needed to complete this project. Your willingness to help our emergent readers and English Language Learners in our classroom makes all the difference for these children. Your generous gift has worked well beyond to make our classroom a print rich environment including pictures, labels and signs. A literacy rich environment will help emphasize the importance of speaking, reading, and writing in the learning of all students. This year especially will be even more challenging because I have many new students with very low language skills and/or students who do not come from English speaking backgrounds. Our new technology will make it possible to foster these children's developing language skills as they discover another way to communicate - through print!

  The children have been so excited to see all the new bright and colorful labels which have been added to our classroom. Many of them point to the different labels throughout the day and say the word in Spanish. Then I have them try to say it in English. It is a very warm feeling when the students can relate to the pictures and recognize something familiar to them especially when everything seems so foreign and new to them. In our classroom we try our best to make our students feel most comfortable and welcomed to come to school everyday. This year our new technology will help us to create labels in other languages, especially Spanish and have them posted throughout our classroom for the many English Language Learners.

  I am beyond excited for this opportunity and looking forward to having this technology create a successful year in our classroom. Most importantly, I am excited to provided a powerful print rich environment for all learners to benefit and succeed from. Thank you once again for your support and generosity.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Formica

  This classroom project was brought to life by PNC Grow Up Great® and 3 other donors.

• Books Build Better Brains

  Funded May 17, 2017

  Words cannot express how thankful we are for your generous donation. My students have been overly excited about all the new books we have received for our classroom. We have been using these books during our morning meeting every day and the children have been so engaged in reading the new books. I have been using these books to help guide my instruction and challenge my students with higher order questioning. We have been working hard to prepare our students for kindergarten and these books are being used to help with this transition. The books are being used to teach them necessary reading skills such as basic print concepts, rhyming words, sequencing, retelling and comparing and contrasting. More and more students have been choosing library during center time in our classroom to further explore these books with their classmates.

  You have opened the doors to building stronger creativity and imagination in these young, curious learners. We are looking forward to reading more of these books, building on student's knowledge and leading the way to creating life-long learners and readers. Thank you once again for your thoughtfulness and generosity in helping to achieve my goals as an educator of young learners.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Formica

  This classroom project was brought to life by PNC Grow Up Great® and 2 other donors.