Past projects 2
Kindergarten Kids!
Funded Aug 29, 2023Thank you for the recent classroom grant. The items we received have greatly enriched the classroom learning experience and environment for our students.
We have been able to use the "letter tubs" during multiple learning activities. We use them during our Fundations (phonics) time to help create our letter circle maps. Having a tangible object for the kids to see and hold adds to their ability to brainstorm and make connections with objects outside of the standard classroom visuals. We have also been able to use them in small group settings to help strengthen beginning sound recognization and sorting like objects.
The students were very excited to try out "Lock and Key set" during centers. This been a wonderful addition to our centers and has helped focus on communication, working together and word recognization . It creates an opportunity for the kids to use the skills they have learned as well as provide a self check method to help promote independence.
The "organization bins" have been a great addition to the class room to help the kids learn responsibility in keeping track of and maintaining their personal property.
We have loved using the "dot markers", "Kwix Stix" and "stickers" to co-create our anchor charts, classroom posters, and collaborative work.
Thank you for supporting us and giving us the opportunity to enhance and add to our teaching methods and tools. We are very grateful.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Alexander
This classroom project was brought to life by Colorado Department of Education.Kindergarten Home Learning
Funded May 20, 2020When I started teaching in my current classroom last year, it had been stripped bare. Not even a crayon could be found. I collected things throughout the year, but I still felt like my classroom library was weak, and my students were very limited as far as building materials. The books I selected for this project were math and social/emotional related. I picked the math books to go along with our math curriculum which was lacking and very pencil/paper focused. The students have loved them, and I have loved crossing into literacy during our math time. The social-emotional books have been great for our virtual/hybrid morning meetings and used as anchor texts for our writers time. Believe it or not, A Walk With Vanessa (a wordless book) was our first book we used for Writer's Workshop to teach the students that they could tell a story through their illustrations.
Reading looks different this year, because our school is on a hybrid schedule. This means I see half of my students 2 days, and the other half 2 days, and we meet virtually everyday. So, I read aloud to them whole group, we read student leveled books during their small group time, and we listen to reading from pre-recorded lessons. Because of health regulations, I haven't let the students handle my books yet, but the whole day seems to stop while we read together.
Another fun time of our day is centers. During this time, the students can play with manipulatives (we have bagged and sorted to stay safe), paint, draw, practice skills, and create! This has been the most fun since we returned to in person learning earlier this month. They love the K'nex, Marble Run, and Geo Boards!
As a kindergarten teacher, it's easy to tell who gets read to at home and who does not. I try to read as much as I can to my students, cross into different subject areas, and use books as a model for desired behaviors; Kindness, empathy, problem-solving, and promoting curiosity. Letting kids be kids and enjoy school is my goal and once they feel safe, the learning can happen like magic! Thank you for giving my students some supplies that they can truly build with and connect with.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Alexander