Mrs. Pennes' Classroom Edit display name

Current requests

Past projects 5

• Redirect Young Learners Wiggles When Sitting!

  Funded Oct 1, 2024

  The class was excited to see our new wiggle cushions (which we have renamed "Bubble seats"). We had been borrowing a couple from other staff members and my students were thrilled to find out we had our very own cushions to use. Because of the limited supply, only the students of highest need were able to use the cushions. With the help of your donation, our class now has multiple cushions, and all students have the opportunity to use them.

  These cushions are allowing the students to take responsibility of their sensory needs by independently getting a cushion to sit on when they find sitting and paying attention a challenge. Thus, they have a sense of control of their situation and are listening and participating in activities more than ever.

  The sensory toys are also available for students who need something to hold and squeeze during story time and instruction. These toys and the cushions have provided the added benefit of helping the students understand that some toys can be learning tools.

  Thank you so much for your generosity, it is greatly appreciated,”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Pennes

• Young Learners Love to Read Books, Too!

  Funded Dec 28, 2023

  Thank you so much for donating to the Brown Bear book project for my TK class. The students were excited to show and read individual Brown Bear Books to their 3rd grade buddies! These kiddos have been working hard to learn concepts of print and emergent literacy skills including tracking print and reading patterned and repetitive texts. Brown Bear is a great beginning book for this learning.

  When working with our Buddy Class the students spread out around the room to participate in this activity. Your generous donation made it possible for each of my TK students to have a book to read simultaneously to their Buddy. The Third Graders were very proud of them and enjoyed the activity as well.

  Thank you for helping my students improve their reading skills by making this activity possible .”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Pennes

• Student Copies of Our Beginning of the Year Story!

  Funded Sep 3, 2023

  Thank you for your generous donations towards our beginning of the year book, Goodnight Gorilla. With young learners story time is very interactive. When I read the story the first time the children excitedly pointed out details in the pictures as I read. Later we read the books, by memory, together as a class.

  I placed some student copies in our classroom library on the first day of school. Many students recognized the books on the shelves and started choosing them during "Book Look" time. Soon other students wanted to look at the same book. Thanks to your donations, I was able to offer more copies.

  The Goodnight Gorilla books were by far the most interesting and engaging books on the shelves at that point. At this age students rely on pictures and repeated text to read a book and these children proudly read (by memory) the story to anyone who would listen.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Pennes

• Downtime for Hardworking Littles

  Funded Aug 2, 2023

  Your generous donation toward resting mats for my TK class has provided the students with much needed downtime during their long, busy day. Many students use blankets and snuggle with stuffed animals on their mats while listening to soothing music during this time. 75% of my students have fallen asleep at least once, demonstrating the value of having the means and opportunity to rest at school. Some of the students begin and end their days in child care settings well before and after they attend my class and are visibly tired. Only one of these students hasn't fallen asleep at least once so far this year. After our daily quiet time, all students are refreshed, energized, and engaged for the remainder of the school day.

  We will continue the practice of downtime by providing each student with a box of materials including books, putty or play dough, and drawing materials to practice skills and create with while sitting on their mats.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Pennes

  This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 3 other donors.

• Hardworking Littles Deserve Some Rest!

  Funded Aug 2, 2023

  Your generous donation of rest-time mats have proven invaluable to the students in my TK class. On a daily basis, the mats have provided a safe and comfortable opportunity for the students to get much needed down time in their long and busy school day. Many of them have embraced the quiet time, bringing a stuffed toy and a blanket from home to add to the coziness of the mats. Some of the children get up extra early to go to child care before school and return to childcare for a couple of hours after school. Those students have all fallen asleep at least once on the mats you helped purchase. 75% of the students in my class have fallen asleep at least once so far this year illustrating the value of a designated time and materials for rest within the school day.

  As the year progresses we will add materials for the students to use on their mats to continue to provide them with some downtime in their day. Our plans are to create "quiet boxes" with items like books, sensory toys, building toys, figurines, and play-dough or putty for them to quietly play and create with during this time.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Pennes

  This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and one other donor.