Move to Learn!

Funded Aug 20, 2023

My students were so excited when boxes began arriving at our classroom. As we opened each box, they began cheering and asking what we would be using each item for. The class immediately asked if we could practice with the new materials, especially the wobble stools! We have already used the place value blocks, foam dice, wobble stools, clipboards, and items from the gross motor kit.

The wobble stools and clipboards have been a hit with my students who struggle sitting still and/or in one place. When they use a wobble stool or clipboard, their engagement and focus is significantly improved. We use the foam dice frequently with math and literacy small group activities. The place value blocks are beneficial for students to use as we practice regrouping. We have used the hula hoops to sort words into categories like digraphs and blends. We have also used the hula hoops as phoneme counting practice. (For example: 6 hula hoops are in a line on the ground. The teacher gives the word "chat". The student jumps into a hoop with each sound they say. Afterwards, they can count how many hoops they jumped through to see how many phonemes were in the word.) Our class has been practicing addition fact fluency within 20. The students use the jump ropes to jump the answer. We also practice short rhyming songs when jumping.

Coming up, I plan to use the hula hoops as Venn diagrams for comparing and contrasting fiction and nonfiction texts. I will also use hula hoops for teaching number bonds. One way I plan to utilize the kickballs and chalk is outside. We will draw different number amounts (2s, 5s, 10s, etc.) on the sidewalk and students will practice bouncing the ball on to different numbers. They will need to keep track of their numbers on paper or dry erase board to add up at the end. The UNO game is going to be used as a math practice game for greater than/less than review.

As you can see, your donation has increased engagement in the classroom and provided interactive ways for students to practice essential academic concepts.”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Wilson