Middle School Teamwork, Assemble!

Funded Dec 23, 2022

My students and I would like to thank you so much for your generous donation. We have enjoyed the sports equipment as well as the board games over the past couple of months. We have used them during our 8th grade advisory periods to support cooperative learning, socialization and engaging in structured play/games activities. The 8th grade boys have particularly enjoyed using the footballs and learning how real ones feel and are thrown, as opposed to nerf footballs. We have also had some amazing laughs and competitive games of dodgeball with the spongy game balls you sent us. But, our 8th graders have really enjoyed playing chess during our Friday advisory periods. As a teacher, it if so wonderful to see students problem solving, thinking ahead for their opponents next moves, and using trial and error strategies. This type of metacognition is vital as kids grow and mature, so to see this way of thinking accomplished on a more "fun" level, allows students to not become discouraged if their moves weren't quite right.

Our students were energized to see the new materials because they provided us with more activity options. Some students could physically play through throwing the footballs or dodgeballs, while other students wanted to be challenged through chess. Many students were already familiar with the games, but do not have them at home, so it was great to see them manually moving the pieces around.

Our 8th grade advisory meets every Friday and with the donated games and sports equipment, we have a chance to interact with each other and cooperatively learn through a social lens versus an academic lens. So much of the school day focuses on students in front of computers or thinking and writing critically in their core subjects. Therefore, to provide my students with a 50 minute block each week of fun and games while still using those problem solving strategies and skills, allows some much need socialization time in a structured way. Thank you again for your donations that have helped facilitate kids interacting with each other on a personal level and providing lots of laughs on our Fridays!!”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Scasso