Past projects 5
Engaging Literacy Experiences Promote Active Learning for My Littles
Funded Sep 11, 2023I am grateful beyond words! Thank you for being so generous with our new resources!
I IMAGINED that the LAUNCH GAMES would garner some squeals of delight, but honestly that was only the tip of the iceberg!
I pulled out 2 boxes of LAUNCE Alphabet Letters, one for each table, invited the children to help open the material and put them together. When someone asked what it was and I said it was a new alphabet game, I heard a few groans.
I moved away from the table and let them figure out how to open and put it together as a team... They were SO excited at how the game works, they literally went over our allotted time schedule by 35 minutes. Things that truly melted my heart were: the amount of communication between peers, the kindness and collaboration of older and younger students, turn taking and respect for others learning levels was amazing, and the engagement and active learning through PLAY was truly HEARTFELT.
Honestly, no ordinary alphabet that I've ever purchased on my own has ever been received with such excitement!!
And just that ONE LAUNCH game has launched us into newfound excitement in learning our alphabet. When we finished our game, I invited older students to write some of the letters they caught on paper so they'd remember, the younger learners were invited to use the rubbing plates. Which turned into another happy and helping experience. They had a great time helping each other use the plates.
The other thing that really moved me and really important to note is that after the first 15 minutes, children are free to make a plan, share it, and work in a different area of the room. 50 minutes is a remarkable amount if time for children to stay in one place and remain engaged. Even my sweeties with challenges stayed and played.
I am so thankful for all of you giving me these literacy rich, FUN activities to share with my LITTLES. And trust me, they are, too!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Sherri
This classroom project was brought to life by Panda Cares and 2 other donors.We Are All Special
Funded Oct 14, 2022My kids are so excited with our new materials! They are using more language, helping each other, and working together in many ways.
Children who have never experienced pretend play are now interacting with those who engage regularly, and I attribute that to the multicultural soft safe play families, which are more inclusive and provide a new comfort level for my entire class.
Washable sensory beads have provided calming input for some, and excitement for others, with added items to 'hunt' for and talk about. Stacking cups have filled an essential math gap for my earlier learners, and have provided much needed eye-hand coordination.
And the Touch and Feel Animal books have brought us together for reading. Some children who used to run away at story time have been seen sitting quietly in the book area, now curled up with a touch and feel book, enjoying the beautiful pictures and reveing in the added sensory benefit.
All of these exciting gifts have impacted us in the most positive ways. I've witnessed increased communication, more teamwork, and enhanced problem solving skills. These are critical life skills which impact our kids' futures. They've helped us to come together as a community, make us all feel more accepted, and enjoy the things that make us all special.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Sherri
This classroom project was brought to life by Valhalla Foundation and 3 other donors.Building a Stronger Classroom Community
Funded Sep 7, 2022What an incredible gift! I have children with developmental delays exploring STEM and communicating and trying new ideas together! Emerging problem solving opportunities galore!
The letter and number bubbles provided needed fun in their exploration. The children made their own games with these, older learners helping younger learners grasping essential concepts in a very naturally occurring way.
We have spent a lot of time discussing families with our new books. We learned how families are different, and it's okay. Students also learned that they have similarities in their families, which planted seeds for future conversations.
The ice cream counting scoops gave my younger learners a concrete way to explore counting, one to one correspondence, again, facilitated an overwhelming urge for conversations, including engagement in pretend play in those whom I've never seen enjoying pretend play!
These gifts have overwhelmingly changed our classroom community, by giving us great, common, concrete ways to understand that we love playing and working together, and we are definitely more excited about our classroom community!
I really cannot thank you enough for enriching our preschool experience with these fun, new ways to learn.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Sherri
This classroom project was brought to life by Valhalla Foundation.Writing With Feeling
Funded Feb 7, 2021I am so excited to let you know how wonderful our new materials are. We went from not having an understanding of alphabetic letters, to the joy of rolling out letters with play dough and wikki sticks; and not just random letters, the letters in our names! We can now form letters which has aided our writing skills and fine motor, to being able to sort by geometric components, which is tremendous for mathematical understanding.
The magnetic writing boards are an every day "go to" which have helped me to imbed the importance of writing in all aspects of our day.
This package has given our students so much joy, many skills, and above all, INTEREST along with the desire and confidence to explore more, which is a tremendous gift in the educational process. We've been able to extend activities seemlessly, with smiles!
I can't thank you enough for the many, many opportunities which you have so generously shared.
Your thoughtfulness has been felt, and appreciated from my heart.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Sherri
Engaging Explorations for Early Learning...
Funded Feb 19, 2021I am so grateful for your kindness in helping me to engage my children in all levels of learning.
The kiddos were excited upon seeing new materials. Unfortunately, none have photo consent, but the looks of excitement and wonder were SUCH a gift, in and of themselves.
You have helped to spark thought and inquiry. ..a gift that will last lifetimes, inspiring curiosity and inquiry, which, in preschool, can set the time for all learning time.
From our hearts, we can't thank you enough.
Gratefully yours,
Ms Sherri”
With gratitude,
Ms. Sherri
This classroom project was brought to life by Tyson Foods and 3 other donors.