Past projects 3
Social-Emotional Learning for Developmental Kindergarteners
Funded Feb 14, 2022I am so appreciative of the donations to create our calming, safe space in our classroom. The tent allows for a physical space separate from other students so one child who may need it can go and calm down and prepare to rejoin learning, and it is also something that everyone has embraced - all students know that if someone goes to take a break, we can wish them well and then give them their space until they are ready.
The tools have been amazing to use as well, as they are visually appealing and great to keep students hands and minds busy as they are refocusing after feeling some "big emotions." The books are great to go along with some of the 'big' feelings we may encounter on a daily basis, and the little spot plushies are wonderful visuals for students to see how their feelings may look from the outside.
I have loved being able to utilize ALL of these amazing items, and myself and my students alike are so grateful! Thank you again.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Bontumasi
Books, Books, and More Books!
Funded Mar 17, 2018Thank you so much for the donations that allowed us to purchase more just-right books for our classroom library. The students were SO excited and loved opening the boxes with me as they came in! The wide variety of books were so appreciated by so many students. The way that selecting books works in our classroom is we switch out our books once a week, so the students could not wait until their turn to "shop" for books so they could pick from some of our newest reading material.
It was extra exciting because we had our books for March, which was Reading Month. One day we celebrated with Hats Off To Reading! where students could wear their favorite hat from home while they read. One student actually told me this was the best day of his life. :)
Many of my students who speak Arabic at home were especially excited when they saw the books with Arabic writing or Arabic translations. I had several students that even asked to "check out" the books to take them home to show their families! I of course allowed it... anything to spread the love of reading. Thank you so much again, your donations have made such a difference for so many students, and will continue in the upcoming years!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Bontumasi
Flexible Seating for First Grade Learners
Funded Dec 9, 2017My students and myself are so excited with all of the new flexible seating! As the materials arrived, we started to put them to use immediately. It was extra exciting because the students left in the afternoon to go to their physical education class, and when they came back, the chair with stools, folding floor seats, and yoga balls were all in place. The class was so thrilled! We spent lots of time talking about how to use the seats and how to pick your best "learning spot," and then the students got started that very day choosing a spot that worked best for them.
Now that the flexible seating is in full-force, we have stools, folding chairs, floor seats, floor cushions with lap desks, yoga balls, bean bags, and some regular chairs still, as well. Instead of desks where students keep their supplies, my students now each have their own book box that they keep their supplies in every day. They take their pencil box to a seat they'd like to use as their "learning spot" every morning, and can move throughout the day if they think they could find a spot to work better. It is amazing how much responsibility the students have taken upon themselves to find their best working spot and to stay in a space where they know they will be able to get their work done and stay seated comfortably.
One of my driving forces behind this project, as well, was to give more options around the classroom to a student in a wheelchair. With these new seating options, she can sit nearly anywhere in the classroom comfortably and be included in any seating situation. It makes my heart so happy to see every day when she is able to make the same choices as everyone else when it comes to finding a learning spot.
I love that my classroom now has the options it does for students to pick where they can learn best. I know that as the year goes on they will get even better at this, and my students in future years will benefit from a spot where they can best learn, as well. Your donations are all so appreciated!! Thank you again.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Bontumasi