Past projects 17
Adding Fun Math and Language Activities to Enhance My Centers!
Funded May 8, 2019Thank you so much for funding my project to bring new Math and Language activities into my classroom. My students eye lit up when they came into the room to see new activities to explore on our tables. My classroom was really lacking fun math and language activities that weren't broken or missing pieces. The kids really enjoyed playing with the new patterning bolts, magnet ramps, and big ramps and balls. I loved the word building crayons because the kids were able to complete mostly by themselves and use the self-correcting cards to double check their work. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for funding my project to help my students learn in a fun new way!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Arotzarena
This classroom project was brought to life by PNC Grow Up Great® and 7 other donors.Bring NEW STEM and Science Materials to My Centers!
Funded Apr 12, 2019When the new Science shelf and STEM activities arrived in my classroom the kids were so excited! The Science shelf with mirrors and clear bins on top have made the materials so much more interesting to my students. They love just looking at themselves in the mirror! The new STEM block cars are amazing! The kids are trying to see how many blocks they can knock down with the crane and wrecking ball, how many blocks they can pile in the dump truck, and love to watch the gears turn on the cement mixer. These new toys and activities have really enhanced the learning and fun in my classroom!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Arotzarena
This classroom project was brought to life by PNC Grow Up Great® and 27 other donors.LEGOS: Ready. Set. Let's Build
Funded Apr 8, 2019What an exciting day in our classroom when we received our new LEGO kits! My students screamed with excitement when I opened the new blue bins and showed them the different kits we now had. My students voted for the Cafe LEGO kit and the Farm kit to be put out first to explore. My students really enjoyed following the recipe cards to build different foods. In the blocks areas the kids loved the LEGO farm animals and Lego Bricks to make a farm for their animals. I loved seeing all of the cooperative play that my students engaged in while building with the new Legos. Having new LEGO sets in my room enhances my students play and exploration during center time.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Arotzarena
This classroom project was brought to life by PNC Grow Up Great® and 18 other donors.Books That Bring Nature and Science Into Our Classroom!
Funded Apr 9, 2019Thank you so much for funding my project to bring new nature and science books into my classroom! It was perfect timing to open up some boxes that contained books all about Spring! Before this project I only had 2 books that really talked about the seasonal changes that occurred in the spring time and my students were so excited to see the beautiful pictures as I read the to the class.
Reading in my classroom occurs in a few ways. I read a book to the class everyday in whole group and we discuss it. I also display books in all of my centers for the kids to freely choose from when they play. I also have a loft with cushions and chairs that the kids can look at books and relax.
Reading is so important for young children because it expands their vocabulary and understanding of the world around them. Did you know that if a child is read to everyday by the time they are 5 years old they will have 1,000,000 more words that a 5 year old who has not been read to daily. If that trend continues a child that is not read to everyday actually ends up having a 30,000,000 word gap by the time they are adults!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Arotzarena
This classroom project was brought to life by PNC Grow Up Great® and 10 other donors.Using Essential Oils to Help My Students Achieve Complete Harmony
Funded Apr 8, 2019Thank you so much for donating to my essential oil and diffuser project! Immediately when I opened the boxes the kids were so intrigued by what was inside. I set up the diffusers and chose lavender to diffuse. Within 5 minutes of diffusing the kids started asking what is that smell? They all loved the smell and wanted to run up and get closer. What's great about these diffusers is the water is cool and it doesn't get hot so it's OK if the kids want to get close to smell.
I have a few students who can be very hyper and by diffusing the lavender we have noticed them much calmer and relaxed. Those students also have asked to smell the diffuser closely a few times a day.
Since our classroom is larger I am very glad that I asked for and received 2 diffusers for our room because it helps the whole class smell awesome! At nap time the kids all sleep better with the relaxing scents!
Lastly, I love diffusing the thieves oil when we leave because it helps disinfect our classroom and keep the germs away!
Thank you again for helping my class have a little more harmony!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Arotzarena
This classroom project was brought to life by PNC Grow Up Great® and 6 other donors.Let's Get Flexible in Pre-k! Flexible Seating Options for Learning!
Funded Jul 24, 2017First, I just wanted to say thank you from the bottom of my heart and my preschooler's hearts for helping to fund our flexible seating options in our classroom! The demands on children to sit and listen are sometimes really hard for our 4-year-olds. By providing seating options to help them wiggle has really helped our kiddos focus on a story that is being read or learning a new concept that is being taught. When on the carpet some children choose to sit on a wobble stool, a seat with a cushion, or a comfy chair with a back. During table work, our little boys who love to move and groove have really benefited from the wobble stools at our table. They are able quietly move back and forth to receive the sensory input their body needs to stay stay focused and complete their table work without disrupting the other children.
Our kiddos have access to these flexible seating options throughout the day to maximize their learning potential.
Thank you again for helping our kiddos get flexible in pre-k!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Arotzarena
This classroom project was brought to life by PNC Grow Up Great® and 13 other donors.Once Upon A Time In Pre-K . . . Children Discovered New Books!
Funded Jul 10, 2017First I would like to thank you from the bottom on my heart and my preschooler's hearts for funding our project to bring new and exciting storybooks in our classroom! Providing a literacy rich environment is so important for our preschoolers to learn and develop new concepts and vocabulary. Did you know that by the time a child is 5 years old their brain is 90% developed! That means the time is now to give our kiddos as many experiences as possible and to enhance their learning with meaningful and colorful children's books. Children in urban settings with a high poverty ratio also tend to have 300 million less words in their vocabulary in their lifetime than children who are not in poverty.
In our classroom we read story books daily during our story time then we apply what we read in our story through art, journal work, and play. Throughout our classroom each center also has books for the children to look at to enhance their play. In our dramatic play area we provide books about families, community helpers, and homes. In our blocks area we provide books about transportation and building. In our science center, we provide books about the science topic we are currently learning about. In our new improved reading corner, we provide a variety of the books for the children to relax and look at. The kids love the new reading corner with comfy chairs and house lamp to look at our new and exciting books we received.
Thank you again for funding our new books and rejuvenating our reading corner with the newest children's books on the market! As a teacher, I am very excited to also read these new books with my preschoolers and share in their enthusiasm as they learn the joy of reading.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Arotzarena
This classroom project was brought to life by PNC Grow Up Great® and 8 other donors.