Past projects 3
Say Yes to a New Carpet for Flexible Seating
Funded Jan 29, 2018Thank you for your generosity! My students and I have used our new rug in several ways. One way that our rug has been invaluable to our learning community is by providing the space for small group instruction. I met with students who needed reteaching or support during math workshop and guided math. Our rug allowed us to meet as a group and work with manipulatives as we solved math problems.
When our rug arrived, my students were in the gym. I wanted to surprise them so I did not tell them that they would see something different in the classroom when I went to pick them up. When we all walked back into our classroom, their jaws dropped in amazement! Some of my students walked over to the rug immediately to feel the rug and to sit on it. They were excited to get new rug spots and to find out what color their spot would be.
As the school year progressed, my students requested to use the rug area to do independent work, especially during writing workshop. They looked forward to getting a clipboard and using the rug space to plan out their writing. They also met with a partner to read their writing to one another and to give each other feedback. A few of my students even wrote poems about the rug during our poetry unit. They were truly grateful for it!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Lazaro
Financial Literacy in Kindergarten
Funded Apr 7, 2015When I received the materials for my "Financial Literacy in Kindergarten" project, my students were filled with excitement. One of my students said, "I can't wait to try out the ice cream area." We read stories about shopping and the role of supermarkets and grocery stores in our neighborhoods, such as "Oliver's Fruit Salad" by Vivian French. My students began making connections to the new materials I revealed when I opened the boxes. Another student said, "I go to the grocery store with my mom to buy fruits and vegetables." Yet another student chimed in, "We pay with money at the cash register."
The resources from this project allowed my students to learn about financial literacy and awareness through their personal experiences such as shopping with their families. I facilitated conversations and lessons around the importance of grocery stores and supermarkets. My students were able to act out scenarios that involved shopping for food and using paper money and plastic coins to purchase items with our new cash register. Students also took turns counting $1 dollar bills and making purchases.
My students' learning grew significantly as it aligned with our math curriculum, in which we focused on solving addition and subtraction problems. We collaborated with the other kindergarten classroom in our school, who were focusing on a restaurant study. They created a restaurant in their classroom and we were invited to attend as guests. Students practiced placing an order and counting money to pay for their meals.
My "Financial Literacy in Kindergarten" project was a successful way to engage students in a topic that applies to their true life experiences. Thank you for being a part of making this project come to life!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Lazaro
Cooperative Scientists and Mathematicians
Funded Dec 28, 2014After returning from our winter break, I waited for the right moment to tell my students that our "Cooperative Scientists and Mathematicians" project had been funded. That same day back to school from break, our shipment arrived while my students were in art class. When I picked up my students, they were so excited to see four boxes by the classroom door. I broke the great news, and they smiled and clapped with excitement. We opened the boxes together, and all my students were amazed saying, "Ooo" or "Ahh." They could not wait to explore and play with the science and math materials. They were most excited to see the classroom aquarium, which became the home of our new pet fish.
In science, we did a study on animals. Both Ladybug Land and the aquarium were hands-on tools that allowed my students to make observations. They recorded drawings and thoughts in their science journals. My students also observed the metamorphosis of the larvae into ladybugs up close. Our Ladybug Land was a hit during our celebration of learning. Students were proud to share with their parents interesting facts that they learned about the life cycle of ladybugs. The Ladybug Land, prisms, science viewers, and aquarium are a valuable addition to our science center. My students visit the center daily, stopping by to observe the fish or explore the materials during choice time.
In math, students continuously use counters to help them solve math problems. My students find the bug, teddy, sea animal, dinosaur, fruit, and vehicle counters fun to count with. They practice one-to-one correspondence, an important skill in kindergarten. They choose to play with these counters during play time, using their imagination to create stories or scenarios.
This project boosted my teaching and my students' learning in several ways. The science and math materials I requested were purposely chosen to expose my students to real life situations. As we wrap up the school year, I am happy and proud to see my students' growths in science and math. My students are making thought-provoking questions. They are thinking critically and experimenting more throughout the day. Thank you for supporting us with these invaluable materials!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Lazaro
This classroom project was brought to life by Kia and one other donor.