Past projects 4
Powerful Restorative Circle Groups
Funded Oct 11, 2023I have 10 restorative friendship groups that meet once a week for 30 minutes. Most groups are consist of 3-4 students. Our group goals are to practice listening skills, build empathy and set weekly individual goals by meeting in a circle group. We use donated resources as talking pieces to have each student to have a chance to talk and others to pay full attention. Students also share their goals and successes for the week. The resources we received like legos, hexbugs, SEL books and snacks from DonorsChoose helped each student to feel very special. They all loved building legos and hexbugs to connect with each other and share their feelings and goals. They all loved to read emotional regulation books during conflicts. They are so thankful someone cared to provide such items.
All my students really appreciate your generosity and having circle times with friends.
They are learning so much to care for others. My students created a thank you poster and wrote their names. One of my students said that he wants to grow up and help others. Thank you again for your kind generosity!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Park
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community & an Anonymous Partner and 2 other donors.Let's Make Friends & Keep Them!
Funded Feb 8, 2023Thank you so much for your donations. My students want to say, thank you, to all of you for your kind generosity. All my students were excited to meet together to share their school experience, brainstormed how to regulate feelings and strategized to make friends and keep friendship in school and community. They played legos/board games, participated in restorative circles by using sensory gadgets, shared snacks and set social/academic goals. The materials and resources you all provided were so valuable to my students. Thank you again for all your help!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Park
This classroom project was brought to life by Black History Month Partners and 5 other donors.Friendship Groups
Funded Jan 6, 2022I have been running 9 friendship groups at my school since January. During our group meetings, students learn empathy, building friendship and problem solving by working on the curriculum called Second Step SEL (Social Emotional Learning). After learning and sharing SEL lessons for 15 minutes, students have choices to partner with other students to read favorite books, play board games or play legos/hexbugs. My students grew so much through in person learning using your donated tactile and interactive resources. Many students shared with parents and teachers that their favorite time of the day is to be with other friends in a counseling office to connect and play. Many students thank donors for providing so many fun games. One of 3rd grade students asked me how other people donated such fun items. I let them know so many people care for them and want to contribute to students' learning. They all wanted to sit camly and take pictures to send to the donors. They all said, "Thank you so much for your kindness."”
With gratitude,
Mr. Park
Friendship Groups for K-5th grades
Funded Feb 10, 2020We used game boards and snacks for our small group friendship groups to help students connect with each other. Most students who were selected have difficult time associating with other students due to their lack of emotional control. Or, they need someone to help them to create quiet and inviting environments to connect with others in small groups. Our students had great time playing board games and role playing with others to learn how to make friends and keep friendship.
Several students have autism. They were not able to connect with other students in big classroom settings. When they saw our social emotional curriculum with board games and snacks, they all immediately engaged with other students to play with them.
Sadly, we had to leave our school due to covid-19 virus. Although we are still connecting students and parents via different on line resources. most of students benefit from having small face to face groups. We hope we get back to our classrooms soon and meet together again before summer starts. We also hope to continue to meet in person and hopefully help each student to learn to be a kind person and take their leadership into classroom.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Park