Past projects 66
Who's That Trip Trapping Across My Bridge?
Funded Oct 27, 2009Thank you all so much for giving us two of our favorite activities this year! We have used our teeter totter outdoors and inside on rainy days. We have also used it as a bridge to retell The 3 Billygoats Gruff, and Jack and Jill. This week we are using it in an obstacle course! We have so many plans for the rocking teeter totter. We are going to use it to make a cool boat for our pirates in our Real and Make Believe unit later on in the year. The kids love it so much that we are constantly trying to think of fun ways we can incorporate it into our indoor and outdoor centers. We took out our parachute this week. We spread out on our circle rug and danced the Macarena. The children were so excited to take turns changing places with a partner by crawling under the parachute. The parachute is such a motivating way to teach listening skills, how to follow directions and taking turns. Thank you so much for your generosity and contribution to my classroom! My students have been so excited to work on writing their thank you cards, but until we get those in the mail, we send many, many thank yous!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Ward-Loveland
I Like to Move It, Move It!
Funded Aug 6, 2009They day the boxes arrived we asked a parent volunteer to put together our soccer goals. The children were so excited! It has been a very motivating way to encourage the children to try to kick at a target and encourage balance by running and kicking into the goal net. Children love taking turns being the goalie and counting how many goals their "team" scores! They cheer for each other and really have a lot of fun during outdoor time. We put our hopscotch rug out this week since we were indoors for rainy day schedule. The children stood in line for their turn to toss the bean bags and hop as they counted the numbers/numerals that they recognized. As I mentioned in my proposal, I am always trying to provide the children with new ways to be active so that we can learn to live a healthy lifestyle through play. Your donations have helped me do this!
Thank you so much for your support and your generosity!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Ward-Loveland
Get to Work!
Funded Jul 7, 2009Thank you so much for your generosity! This table has made such a huge difference to our classroom environment and small group instruction this year. Having a horseshoe table with 8 predetermined seats gives the children their own defined space to work on their projects and makes it possible for the teacher to access each child without having to stand up and reach across the table. We also transform this table into our math center during center time. The children bring materials over from the bookcase to our new table and every once in awhile a child will ask to sit in teacher's chair to lead the group. Having furniture that fits the needs of small children is so essential and your donations have helped us provide a better classroom environment for our students. Thank you again for your donations. ”
With gratitude,
Ms. Ward-Loveland
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
Funded Sep 17, 2009Thank you so much for giving my class this wonderful gift. My co-teacher unpacked the boxes right away and set up our tank. Currently, we have three fish who call it home. Their names are Tiger, Ms. Fish, and Shark; a Bala shark, who mostly hides in the grass when the kids are in the classroom. However, at the end of the day he comes out and swims around. The tiger fish was so happy when we added the albino tiger fish, Mr. Fish to the tank. They chase each other around the tank swimming around as though they are playing a game of fin tag.
For one of my students with autism, this fish tank has provided him a space in the classroom where he can come to during one of his breaks to have quiet time and enjoy the calmness. He also asks to feed them each day. It has become his job and responsibility. He is just beginning to learn to use expressive language and one of the first words he said to my staff was, "Pish"= fish to ask them to take him to the tank.
We are all really enjoying observing their behavior and taking care of them. The tank is truly beautiful and easy to maintain which is a true gift in itself. Thank you again for choosing my project to donate to. It's brought such a learning center to our classroom.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Ward-Loveland
Can I Catch a Ride?
Funded Jun 13, 2009Thank you so much for your donations to help purchase the tricycle taxi. When I first took it out for the children to use, a line formed immediately. My students with disabilities enjoyed being able to "ride" around the bike path on a tricycle like their friends. The typical children are excited to be the driver for my students who are physically unable to pedal a tricycle. It's fantastic to see them work together. The day after I had put the tricycle together, I had a parent donate a helmet and knee pads. The parents of my students with disabilities were just as excited as their children.
Your donation has made such a great impact to my program. The students with physical disabilities are now able to participate in this highly preferred outdoor activity with their friends and classmates. You have helped me break down a barrier for my students. Thank you so much for your generosity and for taking the time to provide a wonderful gift to a community and school in need!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Ward-Loveland
And the Oscar Goes To...
Funded Aug 18, 2009Thank you so much for giving my class this wonderful gift. I was so excited when I saw that this project was funded. I feel very lucky that you chose our project. We have already used several of the costumes from the set. We have set our pretend center like a Doctor's office. The children really enjoyed pretending to be nurses, doctors, and surgeons. It's a fantastic way for us to role play what it might be like to get their vaccinations. I think it puts a lot of the children at ease. Perhaps one of our students will go on to study medicine because of their memories of that pretend center. We have also been chefs and the kids dressed up and we made pizza with a lot of yummy vegetables. One of my students kept trying to get the children to stop on the bike path, but his classmates were just not paying attention to his attempts. To redirect his behavior to a more appropriate one we let him wear the traffic controller costume you bought us. He enjoyed holding the stop sign and wearing the vest. The children listened to him and it became a fun red light, green light game. Also the children have dressed up like fire fighters and police officers during our outdoor time writing speeding tickets for those riding the bikes too fast. All in all, it has been so fun! Thank you for making all those moments and memories possible. We are so grateful and can't wait to share photos with you! ”
With gratitude,
Ms. Ward-Loveland