Past projects 13
The Gift of Music
Funded Aug 26, 2024This gift of instrument was incredible. Each class is now able to have enough instruments so that everyone can play together. Waiting for turn on an instrument is no fun for kids and can lead to student behaviors. Having enough instruments for all keeps everyone engaged and making music together as a real ensemble! With the addition of these instruments, we now also have enough of each type to have small group stations of similar instruments (all soprano glockenspiels or all alto xylophones, etc.) for exploration.
We are building our elementary program back up again after several years of temporary teachers and the kids are so excited to be able to get their hands on instruments. I had 4th and 5th graders fill out some questionnaires at the beginning of the year, and everyone chooses instruments as their top activity for music class. It's wonderful to be able to share the gift of music with them - thank you so much for your donation that helps to make that possible.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Gretchen
Board Game Club for Social Emotional Learning
Funded Dec 1, 2019My students and I are loving all of the new games that we have to explore! These games have been such a benefit to our time together. The students I work with are so excited to have game time and they are doing so well as they learn to take turns and follow (sometimes complex) rules. Their favorites by far are the collaborative games, such as Mermaid Island, Stone Soup, Snug as a Bug in a Rug, and Feed the Woozle. In these games, everyone works collaboratively to either win together or lose together. The kids are increasing their social skills and problem-solving skills, as well as their academic skills and we are all so grateful for this great addition to our program. Thank you!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Gretchen
This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 10 other donors.Artful Expression for Young Learners
Funded Jun 6, 2019Being able to bring art materials into therapy session with young children with disabilities has been a game changer. It allows children time to be creative and expressive all while working on social skills, fine motor skills, and even cognitive skills like learning to draw a person. Children are so proud of their artwork and eager to take it home. It's all about the process not the product, so children are free to create what they want, instead of making a structured 'look-a-like' picture as they learn to use and manipulate different materials. Thank you so much for your support of early learners.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Gretchen
This classroom project was brought to life by Craig Newmark Philanthropies and 3 other donors.Building Play Skills With Playmobil
Funded Dec 30, 2018My students were so excited to see the new materials as the came in. An unexpected part of the fun was putting the Playmobil sets together with some students as they read the instructions and took turns putting pieces together. It really created some team building experiences for them.
It may just look like play, but we have been working on so many concepts, learning objectives, and IEP goals while we engage with these Playmobil sets. Just yesterday I had a student come into my office for drop-in services and we took out the playground set. Oh, the opportunities for learning! We worked on "up", "down", "in", "on" and "over", "under" and "through". We had the little play people wait for their turns to fly the kite and they used their little tiny voices to ask each other to help push them on the swing. The child's parent has now observed and practiced using these skills while playing with their child and will be able to replicate it at home.
Thank you so much for your support of young children with special needs!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Gretchen
A Traveling Teacher's Magic Bag!
Funded Jul 27, 2018My students were so excited to see new materials and activities this fall. I had some students help me open the packages and they couldn't wait to see everything in the boxes and try out all the new things.
We are especially having fun playing the board games with each other. It is a great way to play with several students and to bring peers with typical development into our sessions. It is fun to see the kids begin to learn about turn taking and to understand some new concepts about shapes and counting. Each time we play they are getting more and more independent - and now they're beating me at the games!
We are so appreciative of your support for our program and for the kids in this community.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Gretchen
STEM for Little Ones
Funded Oct 21, 2015The students in my class have been so excited about their new science, technology, engineering, and math materials! Every time I take out something new, they are eager to learn about A new experiment or discover something new to try.
It is exciting as the teacher to see the children interact together to solve a problem or work collaboratively to build a new design. I truly believe that having these experiences available to them at this early age will help to nurture their love of STEM in future grades.
Thank you so much for your commitment to education”
With gratitude,
Ms. Gretchen
Let's Play!
Funded Dec 30, 2014The kids were so thrilled to receive all of the new dramatic play toys! With the addition of more doctor toys and tools, the kids are able to engage in more dramatic play opportunities during play time in our classroom.
While engaged in dramatic play, kids are learning how to take turns, how to ask and answer questions, and are reinforced that playing cooperatively with others is fun and rewarding! Practicing real life tasks such as doctor visits or fixing the kitchen sink creates opportunities to work on social language, concepts, and vocabulary. We are so grateful to have these resources in our room to make it a more fun and engaging environment.
Thank you!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Gretchen
iScream, uScream We All Scream For iPads!
Funded Oct 24, 2014If only you could have seen and heard the excitement when we introduced our new iPad center in our classroom! The kids love having this area of the room and love being able to work toward the reward of using the iPads. They are working on pre-academic skills like letter recognition and counting, pre-writing skills like drawing and tracing letters, and other great skills to work toward their own personal goals as well as to prepare them for kindergarten in the fall. The center allows them to be more independent and creates a highly motivating task for them. Thank you, thank you!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Gretchen
Playful Artists
Funded Sep 30, 2013We love our new art supplies! With our wonderful variety of supplies we are able to explore, imagine, and create! We're learning how to express ourselves through art and with all the paper, paint, and materials that you've provided, art has become a central part of our day. We are growing in our fine motor skills as we manipulate the materials and learn to grasp utensils, expanding our language skills as we communicate with each other about our art, and leaning to be proud of our accomplishments as our projects are masterpieces. We are so grateful to you for supporting the arts! Thank you from all of the kids in room 4!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Gretchen
iPad Mini for Mini Kids
Funded Oct 15, 2013We're so excited to start our new projects using our iPad mini! Having this technology in the classroom will provide greater access to resources that will help the students in my class reach their individual goals and help to prepare them for a world full of technology. By using the iPad to better keep track of the progress of each kiddo in my class, I will be able to build a better curriculum for each student as they strive toward independence. By using apps available for preschoolers, I'll be able to make learning fun and interactive in the classroom. Thank you so much!!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Gretchen