Past projects 8
Kindles For Kindergarten: Choices = Reading Success!
Funded Mar 9, 2016The addition of Kindles in my kindergarten classroom has added options for kids to practice reading. In kindergarten, children typically first learn letters and sounds proficiently. Then, they learn to put the sounds together to make words. Once this milestone is reached, it is so important that they have many varied reading experiences to practice their new skills. Technology offers lots of options for kids to practice reading skills. There are many apps that kids enjoy that enhance phonics skills, but not as many available to practice reading simple sentences and stories. The Kindle allows the kids to read grade level appropriate texts like Dr. Seuss and Bob Books. They enjoy working on the Kindles because they can be independent. Young children need quick, appropriate lessons to help them learn best. The short stories offered on the Kindles allow them to read a simple story and then to re-read it later from memory. They can also read predictable books like Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? and others that they can learn from memory. My students enjoy telling their families about books they read on the Kindle at school.
In addition to reading practice, the kids get to practice the "Digital Citizenship" lessons they have learned in class. They are learning how to properly use technology in a safe and productive way. They are learning new vocabulary such as "on", "off", "swipe", "enter", "text box" and many others. They are learning that the work that they read from an author is the property of that author and can not be copied. They are learning why it is important to have an adult near to ask questions when using technology and red flags to look for when something is inappropriate. Many powerful lessons are taught just by them reading on the Kindles in kindergarten.
One student was so excited to use the Kindles. He was talking about how his mother always read her favorite books on her Kindle and now he could be like her! It is nice to see the kids get excited about reading during the early years. Thank you so much for your generosity in helping purchase the Kindles for my students. These Kindles will be used for many years to come in my class. Again, thank you for helping me offer the very best resources possible to my deserving students.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Hedgepath
Graph It! Count It! Kindergarten Style
Funded Sep 17, 2015My students are SO excited about our new rug! They were so happy to each have their VERY own space for learning. Several of them responded with "WOW" when I brought it in the room and spread it out. The first morning we used the rug, we used the colored blocks for counting. Each child stood in a block and called their number out loud as we read a counting story. Today, we had an apple tasting party and we "graphed" the results kindergarten style on our new rug! I love the possibilities that this rug presents for organizing and comparing information. Again, thank you so much for your generosity. I believe that my students deserve the BEST and their classroom just got a lot brighter because of YOU!!!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Hedgepath
Creating Tech Savvy Kids: A Classroom Teacher's Journey
Funded Apr 14, 2015Thank you SO much for your generous donation that allowed me to attend the 2015 Willowood Technology Summit in Sherman, Texas. This trip was certainly a once in a lifetime opportunity for me! I networked with numerous phenomenal educators. I learned tech tricks, photography tips and tricks, fundraising tips and participated in some extraordinary personal development. The friends I made are for a lifetime! After spending twenty-five years in the classroom, this summit revived and excited me!! I'm so proud to be a teacher. The spirit of the Willowood Institute is rooted in excellence. Thank you again for supporting my participation!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Hedgepath
This classroom project was brought to life by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 8 other donors.Future Engineers and Designers: Geometry in Kindergarten!
Funded Oct 31, 2008Thank you so much for your generosity in funding my proposal to promote geometry in my kindergarten classroom. As you know, students who are interested and do well in math have many, many career options later in life. A love of math opens many doors!
My group of students this year is very diverse and consists mostly of boys. All of them love hands-on projects and they are going to love the pattern blocks and math center. I have noticed during the past few months how much more engaged they are with a project if it is open-ended. Pattern blocks and basic shape blocks can be used to create anything and everything.
As teacher classroom funding has been severely cut in Alabama, this funding is especially appreciated. Just this week, the teachers in my system were told that we will only get $400 of the usual $525 of classroom supply money this year and we are not permitted to spend any more than $50 before January. Since the majority of classroom supply money is for consumables, we are trying to figure out how to "make do." We know that we are facing some rough economic times at school but our students shouldn't suffer!
Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness in helping my students have the classroom environment that they deserve”
With gratitude,
Ms. Hedgepath
Reaching Every Reader: Small Groups in Kindergarten
Funded Jan 13, 2008I can't believe this project is really funded! I am extremely excited about this terrific small group table and literacy materials. My students are going to love it!! This special table is an addition to my classroom that I've wanted for over 10 years. Your willingness to recognize genuine needs in Alabama's classrooms is to be commended.
The table that I use now for small group instruction is crowded and the kids are too far away from me. This wonderful table and child-sized chairs will enable me to easily touch their little books as they read, helping them track print. The writing and reading materials that go with the project were selected especially for the most at-risk students. They deserve the best materials and learning environment. Through your very generous donation, what they deserve is really becoming a reality.
Thank you! Thank you!
Mrs. ”
With gratitude,
Ms. Hedgepath
Children's First Stories: Encouraging Kindergartners!
Funded Nov 22, 2007Thank you so much for your generosity in funding this wonderful writing center for my little students. I would most definitely not have been able to purchase this piece of furniture for my classroom without help! I feel that they deserve to have the best and highest quality learning environment possible and this writing center will certainly motivate them to write more. Funding this project also ensures that many other students in the future will enjoy this specially designed writing center. I am so thankful! I feel like Christmas has come early. I can't wait to go to school tomorrow and tell my students the good news! Again, thanks so much for your willingness to support the education of our youngest learners”
With gratitude,
Ms. Hedgepath
Kindergarten Reading: Drama, Puppetry and Action!
Funded Apr 24, 2007Thank you so much for the puppets and dramatic play area! I am so excited to receive these wonderful puppets and puppet stage. Dramatic literature is so much more fun for children when they can play and "act out" the story. I sincerely appreciate your dedication to helping teachers and especially your generosity in funding my proposal. I can't wait to use the puppets with my new kindergartners next fall. Again, thank you so much”
With gratitude,
Ms. Hedgepath
A Kinder"Garden": Teaching Natural Science to Young Children
Funded Nov 25, 2006Thank you so much for funding my class project! Your generosity is deeply appreciated. In Alabama, we certainly need support to fully fund innovative classroom projects and money is so tight. I am looking forward to photographing my students and sending you the pictures so you can see where your funds have helped enhance our curriculum. Have a wonderful holiday season!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Lynn N and Kindergarten Friend”
With gratitude,
Ms. Hedgepath