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Mrs. Calandra's Classroom

  • Jefferson Elementary School
  • New Britain, CT
  • More than half of students from low‑income households Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more

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We'll charge your card today and send Mrs. Calandra a DonorsChoose gift card she can use on her classroom projects. Starting next month, we'll charge your card and send her a DonorsChoose gift card on the 17th of every month.

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Make a donation Mrs. Calandra can use on her next classroom project.

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show projects from all time

Past projects 3

  • Simple and Sweet to Help Keep Everything Neat!

    Funded Aug 9, 2022

    If you could've seen my students faces when the Custodian brought in our two big pieces of furniture ( just delivered to the school) for our new backpack area, your heart would've melted!

    The very next day the cubbies were ready to go with the children's names and their photograph. They were so excited to have a place to call their own. These two pieces of furniture are used every single day and it helps my students stay organized & to keep our classroom neat. They are building independence by putting their own things away and being responsible for their own cubby. It's been a wonderful addition to our classroom and anyone who pops into our classroom for a visit remarks on the new furniture as soon as they walk in the door!”

    With gratitude,

    Mrs. Calandra

    This classroom project was brought to life by Bill Gates and 7 other donors.
  • Teaching Kindergarteners Front & Center!

    Funded Jul 4, 2022

    The easel you helped fund was used on the very first day of school!

    For Kindergarteners everything is new and exciting, since it's their first time in a classroom setting.

    We gathered around the easel & each child got to write their name under a picture of their choice describing how they felt on the first day of school. They felt very important as they each had a turn using the easel .

    The easel is a vey important tool in our classroom and is used in all subjects .... Everyday!

    We are so grateful for your kindness & generosity !”

    With gratitude,

    Mrs. Calandra

  • Inspiring Thoughtful, Intentional, and Joyful Learning

    Funded Aug 4, 2017

    "You must be the change you want to see in the world. "- Ghandi

    Thank you again to all of my wonderful donors for helping me be the change I want to see for my students. Your support and commitment to education and of children is amazing !

    My students were so excited when our materials arrived in our classroom, Their eyes were wide in anticipation of the new things that they would be able to use/play with everyday. Currently the students are using some of the materials in our play stations which occur every afternoon. The students first choose an area to go to and then they take their play plan writing folder and they draw and write out a plan of what they'll be doing in their play area for the day. Once their play plan is completed they are then able to go and play in that specific area. Through this process students are learning concepts about print and mechanics of writing and already the growth is amazing. As I observe my students using the new materials I can see all kinds of executive functioning skills in the works! Children who are getting along, sharing materials, developing great oral language, displaying empathy and kindness and of course practicing other skills ( math,etc) But most importantly I see children that are happy and smiling and enjoying their learning! To me that is a gift and I know you probably feel the same way since you took the time to help my students. What does the future hold for our classroom? We will continue to introduce new materials that you have provided as the year goes on to encourage learning and foster development.

    In closing ...."Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart."-Piglet

    Thank you for filling our hearts with gratitude!”

    With gratitude,

    Mrs. Calandra

In my classroom I provide children opportunities daily to choose which area they'd like to play in and then have them think, plan , and carry out what they will do in that area by writing a play plan first. The materials I requested in this project will be used in 3 of my 6 choice play areas: Dollhouse Center, Play-Dough Center, and Manipulatives/Game Center. Research shows connections between cognition and imaginative play, and is developmentally appropriate. By playing with the dollhouse & poseable dolls, my students will practice their social skills, can work through life's issues in a safe place, learn empathy, and utilize creativity when they come up with different scenarios to act out together. The play dough tools will be added to the few tools I have currently. Using play dough with young children is so beneficial for their fine motor development and is a great stress reliever and can even calm down escalated students. It's a fun way to build strength in their small hand muscles & tendons. The tools will add tactile play ( poke, shred, rake, chop and cut, etc) as well as using science/ math skills in a fun way. All of these materials have multiple benefits. They will enable my students to play collaboratively with one another, engage in activities that will support their social/emotional development, develop their expressive language and encourage them to take turns while playing and in their conversations with each other.

About my class

In my classroom I provide children opportunities daily to choose which area they'd like to play in and then have them think, plan , and carry out what they will do in that area by writing a play plan first. The materials I requested in this project will be used in 3 of my 6 choice play areas: Dollhouse Center, Play-Dough Center, and Manipulatives/Game Center. Research shows connections between cognition and imaginative play, and is developmentally appropriate. By playing with the dollhouse & poseable dolls, my students will practice their social skills, can work through life's issues in a safe place, learn empathy, and utilize creativity when they come up with different scenarios to act out together. The play dough tools will be added to the few tools I have currently. Using play dough with young children is so beneficial for their fine motor development and is a great stress reliever and can even calm down escalated students. It's a fun way to build strength in their small hand muscles & tendons. The tools will add tactile play ( poke, shred, rake, chop and cut, etc) as well as using science/ math skills in a fun way. All of these materials have multiple benefits. They will enable my students to play collaboratively with one another, engage in activities that will support their social/emotional development, develop their expressive language and encourage them to take turns while playing and in their conversations with each other.

About my class

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