Past projects 26
The Recipe for Learning
Funded May 2, 2011Thank you, thank you, thank you! The cooking project you helped fund equipped our classroom with materials we're putting to use almost each and every day. Last week, when we were studying the letter O, we were able to make oatmeal in our own classroom! We practice asking our friends nicely to pass the pitcher for drinks during meals. And we've been talking a lot about recipes and measurement while we've been cooking.
Having these items in our classroom has already made so many things possible for our class this year. And we're looking forward to many, many more cooking projects. Thank you for your donations and support. Without them, our cooking projects would be much more difficult, if not impossible.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Elam
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
Funded Dec 30, 2010They say a picture is worth a thousand words. I would argue that it is worth much, much more.
Having this camera, memory card, and case has afforded our classroom so many opportunities that we did not have previously. In the short time that we have had these supplies, we have been able to do so many great things. We have taken pictures to document our successes then posted them around the classroom. We have taken pictures and videos throughout the school day to share our experiences and our work with our parents. We have also used these videos to compare the language of our students with special needs across time. We have used the pictures teachers, and students, have taken to begin writing prompts and other activities. We have written letters to our assistant teacher and her newborn baby. We have written stories about a 9 foot robot that visited us recently. We have made birthday and Valentine's cards for some of our parents.
The children have also gotten to use the camera. They love to take pictures of random things around them, then print the pictures and "write" about them. This has allowed our children to begin looking more closely at their surroundings and think about what they are seeing. It has also given them a different perspective on their environment. I have noticed that my students are becoming more aware of our classroom and the subtle changes that they see (like a rug being moved or the addition of a new chair in the back corner of the room). Awareness and ownership are so important in education. And this camera has helped my children's ability to embrace both within our classroom and our school.
This camera has opened a door for us. We have done so much with it already. And I know that there are countless other ways we will use the camera between now and the end of this school year. And then next year and beyond. Thank you so much for making this possible for me, my assistants, and my students.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Elam
More Than Just Reading!
Funded Dec 27, 2010There is no way for these pictures to capture the impact that these materials have had on my classroom and my students. Each day, we have discussions over who will get to go "work in the office". The children love sitting at the big desk, but also work very hard sitting on the floor at the lower tables. These differing types of materials allow them to move about and have options for seating, choosing an area that fits their mood and energy level for that time.
The back side of the desk allows for a place where my students can also sit and listen to books on tape. This defined area provides structure (i.e., given places where materials will be each time the child enters the center, clear expectations for how to use and care for the materials) to an area of our classroom that was previously lacking. This, in and of itself, has increased my students' ability to use the materials in a purposeful and engaging way. They are practicing taking turns with the headphones and spend lots of time talking about what they heard being read when they are not listening to the stories themselves.
Because of these materials, I have seen my students become more excited and engaged with reading and writing materials. I have seen them show greater interest in practicing skills that will set them up for success in Kindergarten and beyond. And I have watched them grow in to little writers and readers. I owe you all my greatest thanks.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Elam
Moving and Shaking
Funded Oct 11, 2010I want to thank you all for the kindness and generosity you have shown to my classroom. These gross motor materials have opened a world of doors for my children. We now have new, fun ways to work on sequencing and following directions. The kids absolutely love getting to make an obstacle course in the classroom during recess time. They ask each day if its a "scooter board" day. We have incorporated the exercise ball into our morning meeting routine and take it to the gym with us sometimes so we can bounce on it! The scooter boards allow us to reach many skills, like walking in line and following a path, in new exciting ways that keep us engaged.
We really appreciate all of the interest and support you guys have shown to our class. Because of you, 16 students have access to materials that they did not have before. Thank you.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Elam
Busy Hands, Busy Brains
Funded Sep 17, 2010I cannot begin to explain the impact that these items, especially the fidgets, have made for my kids!
When we first received them we talked a lot about how fidgets are for our hands, not our eyes. Though this project was created to help my children with special needs focus, we saw so much success that we have actually begun using them with our typically developing peers, too! We keep them in our laps during large group activities and use them during small group when we discuss textures and same/different.
Thank you for literally putting materials into my students' hands that have enhanced their attention and opened new doors for learning!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Elam
Tell Me a Story, Please.
Funded Sep 17, 2010I want to begin by saying thank you for caring. Your generosity put books and materials into my classroom, and then into my students' hands, that has allowed them to explore books in a more exciting way!
The kids LOVE to sing "The Alligator Song" and "SN-AAAAAA-TCH" that monkey right out of that tree. What they don't realize is that they are practicing numeral recognition, sequencing, and rhyming words in the process.
They ask regularly to a new story in the Book Center and love to put their headphones on and pretend to read independently. What they don't realize is that they are practicing independence, book awareness (reading left to right, turning pages, following text), and hearing new words each time they do so.
And they really love it when we get to read on of the new books that we received through this project. Thank you for making these things possible for my students and for many students to come!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Elam