Past projects 104
"Life Must Be Lived As Play" Plato
Funded Dec 18, 2017My students were so excited when the new toys came! We spent extra time at table games in the morning. The time flew. No one could pull themselves away from the games. The Letter Match game and the ABC Lacing Sweets are entertaining games and they are promoting early literacy. These two games are important to review letter recognition and initial sounds. In my class, we read aloud to the children. Either a teacher reads a story, or sometimes the children hear the story on a CD. We review letters and sounds as part of our introduction to literacy. That's why the alphabet games are so important. Learning and having fun and not being stressed in school.
The other table games that were mesmerizing were the interlox and star puzzle connecting/interlocking blocks. Both games develop thinking, planning and trial and error on the part of the student. Some children like working independently on their own structures, yet side by side with their friends. Many times, they look at what the other person is building and they learn strategies from the other students.
In a few months we will be studying our unit all about "Light". Then, we will use the translucent letters and numbers for that we received from your generous donations. Thank you for being part of the Donors Choose Community and donating to classrooms like myself.”
With gratitude,
Ms. B
This classroom project was brought to life by PNC Grow Up Great® and 2 other donors.Future STEM Workforce: Engineers & Architects
Funded Nov 6, 2017When the students first opened the box with the Magna Tiles and Crystal Climbers they were thrilled. Of course, all children (and adults) like opening presents. But these presents are endless hours of fun. What the students don't realize is that they are having fun planning a structure. Wondering and solving how the different shapes of the Magna Tiles can fit. How can I make my structure taller or wider? How can I make my structure bigger or better than my friend? Maybe, I can work with my friend and build something even better. The children are learning to collaborate and use language to communicate and plan. I am in awe of the thrill that they have on a daily basis, while they create.
The first stage of using the Magna Tiles is on a magnetic surface on a table. Later on, we will use the Magna Tiles with a light table.
The students are also learning how to construct with more 3 dimensional blocks, the crystal climbers. With these blocks, they are developing fine motor skills by using the interlocking slits. It is a little bit tricker for them. At first, some children are experimenting and just stacking them, as others realize to use the slits. The children learn from each other. I usually come by to monitor how the structures are developing. The children work independently, but as a teacher, I will ask them questions and show them photos of buildings or structures to help motivate them to continue to build and explore. Together, we wonder if the structure is stable or not. If it is not, what could we do to make it more stable? Which shape or block will be best used at the bottom.
The children will continue to design and build. I take photographs of their projects. Also, the children are allowed to "save" the projects for a few days. They will write or dictate to me about their building. We will attach it to the structure. After a few days, it is time to decompose the structure so that the blocks can be reused for another structure designed and created by another child.
In the future, we will use these blocks for our unit on HOMES, (where do we live). As well as the unit on LIGHT. It is quite exciting using the translucent blocks on the light table. The translucent pattern blocks will be used on the light table. Once again, a great big thanks to all the donors who have made this project possible.”
With gratitude,
Ms. B
This classroom project was brought to life by PNC Grow Up Great® and 8 other donors.All About Me:Social Emotional Development
Funded Oct 18, 2017The social emotional project materials arrived to our classroom. I set up the new books on a book shelf. The students immediately gravitated to the abundance of books. The students are independently browsing the books, as pre k students do. They look at the pictures and retell stories . The board books are really good for the young children who are still learning to turn pages without tearing them. The titles are exactly what we need : books dealing with feelings like: When Sophie Gets Really Angry, My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss & When I Feel Scared. The children ask me everyday for another book from the "feeling" shelf and basket to be read aloud. The children can really relate to the problems that the character is having in the story. After reading the story out loud, we discuss and hopefully we are one step closer to diffusing future emotional dilemmas. .
The students were very excited when the cozy corner/ tent was set up. There was enough room for several students to quietly sit and read together. They were so excited. They made themselves comfortable with plush dolls and books. While the students were in the tent, I was working with a small group of students and I couldn't believe how quiet and calm the students were- reading and relaxing together in the tent. I forgot where they were!
The other materials that were part of the project was a puzzle, child safe mirrors and magnetic emotion cards. All of these materials are just on time for our unit of "All About Us". In this unit, we continue to understand our feelings . We use the mirrors to look at ourselves. We are learning how each of us is special & unique. Yet, we have similarities and differences. While working on the "people" puzzle together , we are learning about people, who may be different than we are.
Thank you for your generous donation. It is through quality literature that I am able to educate the students and elevate their vocabulary while helping them develop socially”
With gratitude,
Ms. B
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose.org Community and 5 other donors.Pre Coding Skills Begin In Pre K
Funded Aug 23, 2017My Pre K students are so excited with the 2 tablets that are now available for use in the classroom. I downloaded the tablets with several different educational games. The main focus is the Pre coding games, which are teaching the students to set up simple commands which ultimately will instruct the game piece to move. Instead of just playing games, they are beginning to code games, a skill which is important for the 21 century.
The students are slowly beginning to become independent when using the tablets. The tablets, which you helped fund are a basic tool for the classroom. It is easy for the pre k to use the touch screen, since they are familiar with touch screens. Many children have too much "screen time" at home. The tablet or phone is used as a babysitter. Most children watch movies. In class, we use the tablets to focus their learning. The children don't even realize they are developing basic pre coding skills, as they use and enjoy the games on the tablets.
All the children want to take turns playing the pre coding racing games on the tablets. They are elated. You can see the excitement on R's face (in photo) as she was successful and "won" the round of the pre coding car race game. The children are cooperating with each other. I have seen them help one another, team work- I love it!
The tablets really benefit the seven students in my class, who do not speak English. They are at different levels of Language acquisition. Since this is their first formal classroom situation, they are learning English daily. The tablets with the animation is a bridge to learning English with informal pictures in a fun way. Y, who is a little girl from Yemen really loves playing on the tablet with her best friend M, who is from Haiti. Both children are learning English.
Thank you for your generous donation. My students are really very thankful.
For me, it was like Christmas, in August when I found out that my project was funded. Thank you again.”
With gratitude,
Ms. B
This classroom project was brought to life by Omidyar Network and 2 other donors.