Ms. Burgess' Classroom Edit display name

Current requests

Past projects 18

• Sit, Play, Create: Inspiring Role Play and Cooperation!

  Funded Dec 31, 2024

  I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your generous contribution to our classroom project. Thanks to your support, we are able to acquire a new dramatic play table and chairs, creating a nurturing and inspiring space for our students.

  The dramatic play area is a cornerstone of our learning environment, where students develop essential social-emotional skills, practice conflict resolution, and engage in imaginative, cooperative play. The new furniture will not only enhance their experience but will instill a sense of pride and responsibility in caring for their materials.

  Your generosity will empower us to continue fostering creativity and collaboration in meaningful ways. Thank you for believing in our students and for being an integral part of their growth and development.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Burgess

  This classroom project was brought to life by Kaplan Early Learning Company and 4 other donors.

• On Our Way With Dramatic Play!

  Funded Oct 11, 2023

  I wanted to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude for your generous contribution to our Dramatic Play Project.

  Your support is instrumental in transforming our classroom into a space that encourages creativity, self-discovery, and teamwork among our students. The addition of the Lakeshore Hardwood Refrigerator has become a focal point in our dramatic play area, offering a versatile tool for our educational goals.

  The students have already begun to engage with the new refrigerator, and it's heartening to see their interest in acting out stories and assuming various roles. The Lakeshore Hardwood Refrigerator has provided a valuable context for them to explore concepts of families, communities, and shared responsibilities.

  Moreover, the updated dramatic play area communicates a powerful message to our students—that they are valued and deserving of well-maintained, quality materials. It serves as a reminder of the importance of taking care of shared belongings, instilling a sense of responsibility within the classroom community.

  In observing the students interacting with the new materials, we have witnessed positive developments in their cooperation, empathy, and problem-solving skills. These essential life skills are seamlessly integrated into their play, contributing to their overall growth and understanding of the world.

  Once again, thank you for your thoughtful contribution. Your support has a lasting impact on our students' learning experiences, and we are truly appreciative of your commitment to education.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Burgess

  This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community & an Anonymous Partner and 6 other donors.

• Hip Hip Hooray for Dramatic Play

  Funded Nov 30, 2022

  The students were extremely excited when we received the Lakeshore Hardwood Sink. I had told the students it was coming so as soon as the custodians delivered it there were shouts of "Can we open it?" We made room on the rug and opened the box. They could not wait to add it to the Dramatic Play area. After replacing our old sink in Dramatic Play with the new sink we had a group discussion about how to take care of our things in the classroom, what it means and how we can do it, as well as the importance of sharing things, and playing fairly. All day when someone entered the students would share their excitement over the sink, "We got a new sink!"

  So far, the students have used the sink in dramatic play when acting out a variety of stories, even making up some of their own. They have also used it to "wash" dishes and bath the "babies".

  While students have used the materials from this project, I have been able to observe which students take the lead and which students tend to follow along. It has helped me encourage those who need it, and foster those leadership skills toward helping their classmates express their ideas. Making sure all ideas are heard. Thanks to your generosity, my students have gotten to know each other and work together, developing their cooperative play skills and expressive language.

  I cannot adequately express my gratitude to all the donors that gave to this project and have made such a difference in my student's lives and learning. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Burgess

  This classroom project was brought to life by an Anonymous Classroom Supporter and 5 other donors.

• Did You Say Dramatic Play

  Funded Sep 21, 2022

  The students were beyond excited when we received the Lakeshore Hardwood Stove. It came in the middle of the day so that their questions were, "What is that?" and "What's in there?" to "Can we open it?" We gathered around the rug and opened the box together. There were shouts of joy and excited clapping when they discovered what was in the box. After replacing our old stove in Dramatic Play with the new stove we had a group discussion about how to take care of our things in the classroom, what it means and how we can do it, as well as the importance of sharing things and playing fairly. They could not wait until center time started! Any time someone entered the room that day the students would share their excitement over the stove. Directing visitors to "Look at our new stove!"

  So far, the students have used the stove in dramatic play when acting out a variety of Three Little Pigs stories, even making up some of their own. They have also used it to "cook" a variety of foods when acting out being at home or as a cook in a restaurant. While students have used the materials from this project, I have been able to observe which students take the lead and which students tend to follow along. It has helped me encourage those who need it, and foster those leadership skills toward helping their classmates express their ideas. Making sure all ideas are heard. Thanks to your generosity my students are getting to know each other and are learning to work together, developing their cooperative play skills and expressive language.

  I cannot adequately express my gratitude to all the donors that gave to this project and have made such a difference in my student's lives and learning. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Burgess

  This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 6 other donors.

• Moving About Helps Me Out!

  Funded Aug 16, 2021

  The materials from this project have enabled my students to choose from a variety of seating options which has helped them focus on lessons and activities. The Flex-Space Balance Balls and Wobble Chairs have been a game changer for many of my students. Kindergarteners are a naturally fidgety bunch but this usually settles down when they start learning routines and have the structure of a classroom. I have several students who have a problem with staying within their space, keeping control of their bodies, and paying attention. With access to the balls and chairs they are not trying to force their bodies to stay in one spot without moving around or fidgeting. It also offers them independence and self-awareness of what their bodies need in order to participate and stay on task. When the balls and chairs are not being used during group time they are available for all students to use. They use them in centers around the room for comfortable seating. Your generosity has made it easier for them to participate in class discussions and tasks without distracting others. I cannot adequately express my gratitude to all the donors that gave to this project and have made such a difference in my student's lives and learning. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Burgess

  This classroom project was brought to life by Bill Gates and 6 other donors.

• Let Me Tell You My Story!

  Funded May 4, 2021

  The materials from this project were used by my students at the end of last year, as well as my current students. One of the things the students have in common is that they both love to write and color. The students feel that they have their own little writing desk with the C-Line Poly Portfolio Folders and School Smart Sheet Protectors that hold their alphabet linking charts and Snap/Sight Words that help them write. The folder also serves to hold and organize the writing that they are working on. It is their go to place at writing time. The School Smart Pencil Cases hold their pencils, eraser, and their Starting Block Two Finger Spacers.

  Thanks to your generosity my students were able, and are able, to write more independently than before. While all of the tools have proven to be beneficial the most beneficial tool has been the Starting Block Two Finger Spacer. One of the most difficult skills for kindergarteners to grasp is the spacing between words when writing. This tool is perfect for students learning this skill. It sits flat on the page and provides a visual reminder for them. I was fortunate enough to have enough of the spacers, erasers, and pencils to be able to send them home with each student last year (my super excited writers) and still have enough for this year's students. I cannot adequately express my gratitude to all the donors that gave to this project and have made such a difference in my student's lives and learning. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Burgess

  This classroom project was brought to life by SONIC Drive-In and 2 other donors.

• Focusing on Audio Access!

  Funded Oct 14, 2020

  Because of your generosity my students were able to each get their own pair of headphones/headsets. I don't know who was more excited about them, me or the students. We received the Kensington Hi-Fi Headsets just as we were moving from in-person learning to remote learning. One of the biggest challenges with in-person learning was independent learning on their computers. Since each student was working independently, they were each working on something different. Some computers too loud, some not loud enough, very distracting and disturbing. Without the headsets all of the student's computers were broadcasting whatever activity or book they were working on. Sometimes a group of students would be reading/listening to the same book, but all on different pages, never in sync, and all you could hear was the echoing of the story throughout the room.

  When switching to remote learning the headsets allowed students to access the class meetings, class website and work tasks, without outside auditory interference within their home. Many of my students were in the same room as their siblings who were also learning remotely. The headsets provided them both with the ability to focus on what was happening in each of their classes. The students love being able to use headsets at home. I know they feel so grownup being trusted with this piece of equipment. It is been such a blessing to be able provide this tool for each student. All thanks to you. I cannot adequately express my gratitude to all the donors that gave to this project and have made such a difference in my student's lives and learning. With the headsets they are able to access the curriculum and class discussions without missing critical auditory information. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Burgess

• Individual Mathematician Tools for Success!

  Funded Sep 21, 2020

  Thanks to your generosity my students were able to each get their own math tool box. They were extremely excited when I gave them their tool boxes and they could not wait to start using them. During this challenging time, it has been so important that they each have their own individual supplies. We originally started out with in-person learning and had to switch to remote learning after 3 weeks. The students were able to bring these materials home and have had the materials they needed to learn and participate in activities. They exclaimed with excitement over the paint daubers. They use the Do-A-Dot Fruit Scented Markers (daubers) to complete a variety of math, number and letter identification activities. The first question I now get is, "Can we use our daubers?" They have become experts in using just the right amount of pressure to not go through the paper. They consider it a challenge, they love them.

  We use the two-color counters, multicolored counters, and bear counters to work on counting and addition problems and games. Because the spinners are transparent, they can be used for math and literacy games. The students love being able to use the spinners for so many things. They are able to identify when they get to use the spinner and get so excited. I was personally excited to see how working with these materials provided them with opportunities to work with hands-on materials not just a paper and pencil. The counting bears, along with the linking cubes and links, will also be used as nonstandard measurement tools for our upcoming measurement unit.

  It is such a blessing to know that I can plan fun engaging lessons that the students have the tools for. I cannot adequately express my gratitude to all the donors that gave to this project and have made such a difference in my student's lives and learning. With these materials they have been able to explore math in new ways. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Burgess

  This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose 20th Anniversary Fund and 3 other donors.

• Quiet Noises, Happy Ears! Again…

  Funded Nov 10, 2019

  The chair slippers make such a difference in reducing the noise in our classroom. The noise that 5 and 6-year-olds make as they make frequent trips to the bathroom, to get a tissue, or get a drink of water is not heard or thought of due to these chair slippers. The chair slippers allow the students to get up and down from their chairs quietly, even when it is not a transition time. This has directly impacted the students with hearing impairments ability to focus. They are able to remain on task, but they are also better able to hear directions completely. This has allowed me to concentrate on teaching the skills my students the skills they need, verses repeating even the simplest instructions.

  Words cannot express my gratitude for your generous donations. This resource makes such a difference for not only my students that are hard-of-hearing, but also students that are easily distracted and unable to focus. The noises coming from our classroom are the sounds being made by the students interacting and discussing what they are learning. It is the sound of them connecting with the tools and materials we use each day. It is not the sound of chairs and tables being scrapped across the floor. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Burgess