Past projects 2
It's Time to Promote Mental Health in Physical Education!
Funded Aug 9, 2024I hope this letter finds you well. I wanted to take a moment to share the wonderful impact that the new yoga mats have had on my new PE teaching experience, and most importantly, my student's experience this year.
When the yoga mats arrived, the excitement in the room was palpable! My students gathered around the mats, eyes wide with curiosity. Many had never used yoga mats before, and their reactions were filled with awe and eagerness. "Are we going to do yoga every day?" one student asked, while another exclaimed, "This is going to be so cool!"
We quickly integrated the mats into a classroom project focused on mindfulness and relaxation techniques. As part of our unit on stress management, we dedicated one class a week to yoga and meditation sessions. The mats became a safe space where students could unwind and connect with themselves. During our first session, I guided them through some simple breathing exercises and gentle stretches. It was heartwarming to see the transformation in the room. Students who were usually restless or distracted began to focus, their faces relaxing as they embraced the moment.
One particularly memorable moment occurred during a session when a student, who had often struggled with anxiety, shared how the yoga practice helped him feel more grounded. "I didn't realize I could feel this calm," he said with a smile, inspiring others to open up about their own experiences.The mats not only provided physical comfort but also fostered emotional connections among students, creating a supportive community atmosphere.
The yoga mats have become more than just equipment; they are now a symbol of resilience and teamwork in our classroom. My students look forward to these sessions, and I've seen significant improvements in their ability to manage stress and collaborate with each other.
Thank you for supporting our journey with the yoga mats. The positive impact on my students' well-being and classroom dynamics is truly remarkable. I'm excited to continue exploring new ways to incorporate mindfulness into our learning.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Lawrence
This classroom project was brought to life by Governor Jared Polis.World Wide Travel for All!
Funded Dec 14, 2016My 4th graders are having such a blast traveling around the world! Instead of asking me, "I'm done, now what do I do?" the kids vie for time on the iPad so they can transform into global explorers!
The beautiful thing about the iPad is that I have control of the apps that are on it, so I can feel comfortable knowing the kids are doing exactly what I expect of them. Students gather around while others "oooohhh" and "ahhhhh" over the sights they get to see.
Right now, the apps they love using are 100 Famous Wonders of the World, Famous Monuments, and National Geographic Kids. While a few of my students have had the privilege of traveling with their families, majority of them have not. In particular, I love seeing those kid's (who have never left our state) eyes light upon discovering a sight they have never seen before. Students constantly come up to me relaying interesting facts they have learned. It has been a beautiful way to re-energize my 4th graders love of learning.
Not only can we go on inspirational virtual field trips together, I now have the capacity to add apps that can truly transform my classroom into a 21st century learning environment. I'm looking forward to exploring the multitude of ways that I can use an iPad to enhance my student's education.
You can feel confident that your generous donation has made a difference for 27 people, with more to come!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Lawrence
This classroom project was brought to life by an anonymous donor and 4 other donors.