Past projects 18
Write! Write! Write! Good Penmanship Needed in Kindergarten Classroom
Funded Jun 21, 2019Thank you for your most generous donation in the form of individual student whiteboards and dry erase markers! It is most appreciated by both myself and my students!
Our classroom uses whiteboards and dry erase markers on a daily basis. My students sit in a semi-circle on the rug. Frequently, we practice writing our alphabet, high frequency words, and short sentences (ie., I can go to the zoo.) using the correct capitalization, punctuation, and our high frequency words.
This time spent on the rug working using our whiteboards and dry erase markers is very valuable! My students enjoy this activity very much. In the beginning, they enjoy the erasing! However, by the end of the school year, they are using good writing skills, which also ultimately helps them become better readers!
Again, your generous donation is very much appreciated. The individual whiteboards will not only impact this years' kindergarten students but will also continue to impact future students as well! Many thanks for your generosity!”
With gratitude,
Dr. Brodus-Yougha
This classroom project was brought to life by Google.org and 3 other donors.Technology Makes A Difference
Funded Mar 31, 2019Thank you for your most generous donation in the form of an Apple iPad. Your generosity is most appreciated! My students were so excited about the addition of an Apple iPad -- this means that there is "less wait-time" to get on a computer. If only you could have seen the expressions on their faces when I shared with them that we had an Apple iPad! Yippee! In addition, my Special Needs' students are enjoying the freedom to take the iPad to other areas of our classroom (i.e., large rug, quiet corner, or back to their seats). This provides them with much needed flexibility and mobility, which is very important in a classroom that has almost 50% of its students that have an Individual Educational Plan (IEP).
The impact of this iPad was almost immediate! Students can now sit on the carpet with both their iPad and over the ear headphones (which mute noise); and are not distracted by other learning activities that are occurring in the classroom. Students spend the majority of their computer time on either Lexia or ST Math, which are both interventions that support both the reading and math programs in our classroom.
In addition, at any given time, during our daily learning station rotations, students can also work independently without being tied to either their seats or to the desktops. Therefore, your generous donation has provided my students with the flexibility and mobility needed for them to access the general education curriculum.
Finally, this iPad will not only positively impact this year's students, but will ultimately have an impact on students in my future classes; and beyond!
Again, thank you for your most generous donation!”
With gratitude,
Dr. Brodus-Yougha
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose.org Community and 6 other donors.Yoga Mats Needed for Peace in Kindergarten!
Funded Mar 29, 2019Thank you for your most generous donation in the form of yoga mats! They are very much appreciated. When the boxes were opened, and the children saw the multi-colored yoga mats, the expression on their faces was priceless. Needless to say, they were thrilled that each one of them would have their very own yoga mat. In addition, the yoga mats define each student's space. No more overlapping and/or bumping into each other while performing different yoga movements.
My students practice Den Zen Yoga daily immediately following their lunch/recess block. I find that the yoga provides them an opportunity to decompress and/or relax from the stresses of school work and/or any squabbles that have occurred either at home or on the playground. After a 20-30 minute yoga session, my students are ready to finish the remainder of their school day on a high note!
As shared previously in my project description, research has shown that "yoga at an early age encourages good self-esteem; fosters cooperation and compassion; and physically, it enhances flexibility, strength, coordination, and body awareness. In addition, it helps children deal with stress and other issues outside the classroom -- preparing them for life." Again, it is my hope that this early exposure to yoga will follow my students into their later lives.
Finally, these yoga mats will not only have an impact on this year's kindergarten class, but will continue to be used by other students in my future classes, as well. Again, thank you for your most generous donation.”
With gratitude,
Dr. Brodus-Yougha
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose.org Community and 4 other donors.Please Help Us Stop the Noise: Headphones Needed
Funded Feb 21, 2019Thank you for your most generous donation in the form of headphones. These headphones have had an immediate impact in our kindergarten classroom. Students are no longer telling me (or yelling) that they cannot hear what is occurring on the computer screen or that our classroom is too loud! Please note, the kindergarten classroom is a very busy place; and can be noisy at times. However, when the students are on either iPads, desktops, or at the Listening Center, they need fewer distractions in order to focus on the task at hand. And, this is where good headphones can make a difference!
The headphones are used daily during both the reading and math blocks. Students use the headphones to access their computer-based interventions (Lexia and ST Math); and to listen to stories on tape at the Listening Center.
My students are excited about the "over the ear" headphones because they successfully block out the noise, but they also like the appearance of the headphones -- blue in color and bubble shaped. Now that the students can hear through the headphones, there is a lot of singing occurring at the Computer Center or the Listening Center. Students can now sing along with what's happening on the computer screen. As an educator, my preference is to hear them singing rather then complaining that the headphones are broken and/or not working!
In addition, almost 50 percent of my 15 students have IEPs (Individual Educational Plans); and have either sensory issues or are easily distracted. The headphones blocks out unwanted noise; and therefore, my students can focus readily on our computer-based interventions. These interventions help the struggling students as well as provide enrichment for the average and/or more advanced student. Students work at their own individual pace; and are rewarded whenever they move up a level.
Again, thank you for the headphones! They are very much appreciated; and the again the impact to our classroom has been immediate! These headphones will not only have a positive impact on this year's kindergarteners' learning, but will continue to impact the learning of other students in the years to come.”
With gratitude,
Dr. Brodus-Yougha
Germs, Germs: You Are No Good For Me!
Funded Jan 6, 2019On behalf of both myself and my students, thank you for your most generous donation! The Clorox wipes, hand sanitizer, and Kleenex are very much appreciated.
We have a very busy Kindergarten Classroom; and my students are frequently moving from one learning station to another; accessing both Lexia or ST Math on either desktops or iPads; or working at their tables -- all of this exposes the children to germs. However, with your generous donation we can hopefully, successfully, fight the germs.
In addition, our students eat both their breakfast and hot lunches in the classroom. It doesn't take much imagination to see the many spills and/or food droppings that can be caused by 15 - 5 year old's at any given meal. And, the Clorox wipes will be most appreciated!
The Clorox wipes are constantly being used to wipe down our tables, counters, book shelves, and any other hard surfaces in the classroom. In addition, the Clorox wipes are used to wipe down door knobs. Also, during the course of any school day, students are strongly encouraged to use the hand sanitizer after bathroom usage; after sneezes or any other nose wipes; and before and after all meals. Kleenex is used for the many runny noses.
Again, thank you for your generous donation! The Clorox wipes, hand sanitizer, and Kleenex are very much appreciated!”
With gratitude,
Dr. Brodus-Yougha
Books Change Lives!
Funded Dec 31, 2018Thank you for your most generous donation in the form of 21 audio books. These books are very much appreciated!
As shared in my project information, "Books expose children to the world beyond their neighborhood and the possibilities. Books feed the imagination and change lives." And, if we can impact the life and/or direction of one wayward child, then our efforts on behalf of children has not been "in vain." Needless to say, my students are thrilled with our new selection of audio books. They are always asking "can they go to the Listening Center or, when is it their turn to go or, can they go sooner!" Although I had originally planned on limiting our Listening Center to our morning literacy rotations, with the students' excitement and/or enthusiasm for the new audio books, I have decided to let them also listen to a story during other parts of the day. Thus far, their favorite story is Dr. Seuss' "Green Eggs and Ham!"
In closing, please know that your kind generosity will not only positively impact my 2018-2019 kindergarten class, but students in my future classes, too. Again, thank you for your generous donation of audio books.”
With gratitude,
Dr. Brodus-Yougha
Listening Center: Accommodation for Struggling Readers
Funded Dec 30, 2018Thank you for your most generous donation in the form of a Listening Center and classic story audio books! At this time, my students love "Hansel and Gretel!" The Listening Center and audio books are very much appreciated.
In our kindergarten classroom, the Listening Center is now part of my students' morning literacy rotation. They move from one learning station to another learning station every 15-20 minutes. On any given day, students move from 2-3 learning stations; and there are only 2-3 students at each learning station. In addition, students complete literacy activities related to fluency, word work, oral language, penmanship, and comprehension. Specifically, in the Listening Center, students will listen to a story; and then be asked to draw a picture and write 1-2 sentences about what happened in the story.
As shared in my project, "students having frequent access to a Listening Center will help them reduce working memory deficits, while increasing their word exposure, improved vocabulary, reading fluency, and comprehension of text." Needless to say, my students are "over the moon" excited about the addition of a Listening Center to our classroom! They are always asking to go the Listening Center.
My original plan was to limit the Listening Center to our morning literacy rotations. However, with the students' unparalleled enthusiasm for the Listening Center and our collection of classic stories, I have decided to let them listen to a story at other times during the day. In addition, the Listening Center has helped change attitudes towards reading of some of my struggling readers, which I am hoping will positively impact student achievement by the end of the school year.
Finally, please know that your generosity will not only impact my 2018-2019 kindergarten class, but students in future classes, too! Again, thank you for your generous donation.”
With gratitude,
Dr. Brodus-Yougha
This classroom project was brought to life by A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation and 2 other donors.Potential For Excellence: Mobility and Flexibility Needed
Funded Dec 22, 2018Thank you for your generous donation in the form of three Apple iPads. Your generosity is very much appreciated. My students were so excited - the expression on their faces was priceless! Needless to say, my students with special needs' are enjoying the freedom to take the iPads to remote locations in our classroom. Thus, providing them with flexibility and mobility!
The positive impact of this technology was almost immediate. Students can now sit on the carpet or in a quiet corner on a floor-level comfy seat or at a table (with over the ear headphones that help them mute the background noise of a busy classroom) and complete either Lexia or ST Math -- both interventions that support the learning in our classroom.
In addition, at any given time, during our daily learning station rotations, three students can work independently from different areas of the classroom. They are now no longer tied to our desktop computers. Therefore, your generous donation has provided my students with the flexibility and mobility needed for them to access the general education curriculum.
Again, THANK YOU for your generous donation!”
With gratitude,
Dr. Brodus-Yougha
This classroom project was brought to life by Perry and Donna Golkin Family Foundation and 4 other donors.Ready, Set, Wobble!
Funded Dec 30, 2018Thank you for your generous donation in the form of flexible seating for my kindergarten classroom! My students were so excited when they first saw all of the new changes to our classroom. They were most eager to sit on their wiggle seats in a variety of colors - blue, green, and orange. For the first time, there were no arguments over who would get a wiggle seat today! Also, with all student chairs being equipped with both wiggle seats and bouncy chair bands, my students are now able to "move in their seats" without disrupting our entire classroom.
In addition, with the new flexible seating options, my students now have the option of either sitting at their desks, sitting on the rug, or sitting on their new floor-level comfy seats! Again, the students were so excited when they saw our three new floor-level comfy seats in a variety of colors - blue, green, and orange. Needless to say, everyone cannot wait for their turn to sit on the floor-level comfy seats during independent reading!
As an educator, I am thrilled that these new flexible seating options will not only be available during the remainder of the 2018-2019 school year, but will also be available for other students in the future. And, this positive impact on my classroom would not have been possible without your generosity!
Again, THANK YOU for your most generous donation in the form of flexible seating options for my kindergarten classroom!”
With gratitude,
Dr. Brodus-Yougha
This classroom project was brought to life by A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation and one other donor.