Past projects 232
Building Foundations for Early Learning
Funded May 16, 2010Thank you so much for the books you donated to our classroom. The children enjoyed hearing the stories read aloud and looking at the books during center time. The children absolutely loved the story, "Roly Poly Pangolin" by Anne Dowdney. This story taught the children not to be afraid of trying new things. All of the stories that we received will teach the children many important life lessons.
Our new books are being proudly displayed in our classroom library. All of the books are enjoyable to read and each contains situations that we can discuss in class. We also discuss the different emotions that come up in the stories and how the characters are feeling. I find it so important to give the children opportunities like this.
Thank you so much for your generosity and for caring about the education of 18 preschoolers.
It is great to know that there are people out there who care about young children. You have made a big difference in the lives of 18 precious four year olds and in the lives of many children yet to come into preschool. Thank You”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Kelly
The Happy Sound of Music in Preschool
Funded Apr 6, 2010We cannot thank you enough for the music CD's and instruments you purchased for our classroom. The children have been singing, marching and playing the various different instruments. The children love to engage in rhythm and movement. They have also been so happy singing and playing their new instruments together. Thank You!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Kelly
Illustration Lamination
Funded Mar 8, 2010The new laminating machine arrived this week and we have been busy creating lots of work to laminate. The children did awesome pictures this week for their preschool memory books and laminating them will preserve them for many years to come. I also spent time labeling items in the room and laminated them. The baskets and shelves look so much better.
Thank you so much for deciding to fund our project. This is an item we have wanted and needed for a very long time. In April, we will begin working on a very special Mother's Day gift. The children are always so proud of their work and having their work laminated makes a huge difference. The machine is sturdy and made well, we hope to use it for many years to come. You have made a big difference in the lives of many, many preschoolers. We are all very appreciative.
We have begun to make story books and the pride on the children's faces is priceless. I helped the children write a story and they were responsible for illustrating the story on their own. After the children complete a page, we laminate it. When their story is complete, each child will have a book of their own. These type of activities could not have taken place without your help. It is great to know that people out there care about the education of 18 preschoolers. Thank you
once again!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Kelly
This classroom project was brought to life by Give & Learn and one other donor.Weaving and Molding Young Minds
Funded Jan 24, 2010Thank you for all the wonderful supplies that arrived in our classroom last week. We started to use the materials on Valentine's Day. The children were really able to express themselves through this art activity. Art is such an important part of an early childhood education. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to laugh, learn and grow together. ”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Kelly
Digital Zeros and Ones Add Up to One Thousand Words
Funded Oct 12, 2009I am so happy that our digital camera has finally arrived.We have been taking pictures and using them for prompts for writing. The children draw the pictures and I write for them. The children really love seeing the photos displayed around the room. This camera has given the children the opportunity to use the latest technology to enhance our school projects.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Kelly
The Bill of Rights Began with a Blank Page and a Quill
Funded Feb 11, 2010Our blank books have arrived and we have begun the writing process. The children need to express themselves with the things they see and feel.The children are working very hard and will be so proud when their masterpieces are complete.
I am so thankful to you for making it possible for the children to make these fantastic books. Stay tuned for photos!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Kelly
This classroom project was brought to life by The Pershing Square Foundation and 2 other donors.John Lennon All You Need is Love
Funded Dec 1, 2009Thank you so much for the wonderful materials that arrived in our classroom this week. The children have been singing and dancing with the music CD's and musical instruments. Children love music and are having fun while learning and internalizing important early childhood skills.
These materials will give us a lifetime of learning and many hours of joy.
The children come alive when I play music and it really enhances their motor abilities. The children are having a wonderful time using the rainsticks that you so kindly gave us. We try to take a multi-sensory approach in preschool, so musical instruments are really needed to accomplish our goals.They love to shake the rainsticks and are mesmerized by the colorful beads.
We have begun using the Nursery Rhyme kit in class and the children are really engaged because they can visualize what is happening in the stories. They especially love to retell the story with their friends. Rhyme reinforces key reading skills which includes rhythm, syllables, rhyme, and comprehension. The children are active participants in every lesson and this really boosts their self-esteem.
These materials are helping the children learn concepts easier and faster in a happy environment. I appreciate what you have done for us, Sarah. You have made a big difference in our classroom. ”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Kelly
Move Over, Leonardo, Pre-K is Working on Masterpieces
Funded Dec 16, 2009We have started using the crayons and playdoh that you all so kindly donated to our classroom. The photos of the children illustrate how the gifts have resonated with the students and demonstrate how engaged they have become in art activities. Watching children draw and use their imagination during an art activity is very fulfilling.
Having the right materials helps set up students for success and creates an early love of learning. We do art activities everyday as we integrate art with every other subject. Hands-on activities are so important for the development of young students.
The children love their new crayons and they are not experiencing the stress of not having specific colors. The children are going to be taught to take care of the crayons and learn a sense of responsibility. It was great to see the children not using broken crayons this week and their little hands will not have to struggle to stay in the lines anymore with thin crayons. The new jumbo crayons will be used to write and illustrate every story we write. The playdoh is necessary to explore sensory materials and to develop fine motor skills. Playdoh is lots of fun as well!
I cannot thank you enough for making it possible to immerse my young students in the arts and in providing them with essential early childhood materials. Thank you for caring about us!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Kelly
The Whole is Always Greater Than the Sum of Its Parts
Funded Dec 1, 2009The children have started using all the magnificent puzzles! The children are able to do the puzzles independently or as part of a small group. It is great to see them work together to complete a puzzle because they are not only building academic skills but social skills as well.
I have never met a child who doesn't enjoy doing puzzles. The look of pride and accomplishment on a child's face after completing a puzzle is priceless!
The puzzles will help them with their fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, spacial awareness, critical thinking and problem solving skills. It will also foster social development among the students. The math puzzles are an excellent tool for teaching math concepts to four year olds. The children are learning about shapes and patterns in a fun and productive way. It is an enjoyable and challenging way for children to build academic and social skills.
Thank you so much for giving my students the wonderful, priceless opportunity to work on puzzles. It is an important and necessary part of an early childhood education. I really appreciate your generosity and all you have done for my curious little sponges. The puzzles will be used for many, many years to come by enthusiastic four year olds. Thank you for caring! ”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Kelly
Tales With Tails!
Funded Dec 1, 2009The picture books arrived this week and we are spending many precious moments reading together as a class. The story books are filled with rich language and beautiful pictures. Picture books have the power to get little children excited about writing and reading. The children are not only enjoying reading the books but are learning skills to become lifelong readers. I even saw one little girl pretending to be a teacher and reading to the class.
Many of the children do not have the financial resources to have many books at home so we try to expose them to as many as possible at school. The shorter nature of picture books makes it easier to understand for the little children in my classroom who are learning English for the first time. I also have a couple of students who are developmentally delayed and it is also easier for them to comprehend and retain as well.
Thank you so much for these special books and for helping to foster a love of reading for my young students. They are a sweet group of four year olds and they are so enthusiastic about school. I feel it is so important for young children to be read to as it is crucial for academic success later on. The children love the books and so do I. We all thank you for your kindness and generosity.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Kelly