Mrs. Keith's Classroom Edit display name

Past projects 10

• Outstanding Outdoor Play!

  Funded Oct 5, 2023

  I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for contributing to this project: Outstanding Outdoor Play. When I first showed the building supplies to my students, they were giddy with excitement! I did not tell them anything about how to use the materials - I truly wanted them to just explore and experiment.

  Almost every single recess my students are using these builiding pipes to get creative. I've seen them build a structure, make props for imaginative play, as well as build something and then decide what it will be. These materials allow for collaboration, conversation, imagination, and pride when a mission has been accomplished.

  As this school year progresses, I plan to give them challenges to create something specific so they can learn how to manipulate the pieces to build something specific. These pipe builders really do challenge their architectural abilities and their engineering thinking. This project has offered exactly what I wanted for my students - everything described above.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Keith

  This classroom project was brought to life by United Airlines and 4 other donors.

• Easier Learning with an Easel

  Funded Apr 7, 2022

  This easel has really brought our learning closer to the students. It is so much easier for them to participate in whole group learning- as well as small groups when needed.

  We use one side for math and the other side for ELA! What a time saver to not have to erase/remove items daily to coincide with lessons!!! The fact that we can move it to wherever needed, even OUTSIDE is such a wonderful bonus!!!!

  We are so incredibly grateful to all the donors who helped bring this easel into our classroom!!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Keith

  This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose community & an Anonymous Partner and 9 other donors.

• Blue Light, Blue Light! Bad for Eyes, That's Right!

  Funded Sep 20, 2020

  I am thrilled that my students are able to be on zoom for so many hours with me, but their eyes have the protection I think they so deserve. We are in uprecedented times, and we typically try to minimize the amount of time such young students spend staring at a screen. But due to virtual learning, it has become an absolute must!

  It warms my heart to know so many were willing to help protect the eyesight of my students. I can rest my weary mind knowing as they move throughout their education, beyond kindergarten, this year will not have had a negative physical impact on their eyesight.

  Thank you again, so very much.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Keith

• I Do, We Do, They Do!!!

  Funded Sep 16, 2020

  There are not enough words to describe how helpful this document camera has been in being a more effective teacher for my kindergarteners during this unprecedented time of virtual learning. They can literally see exactly what I want them to see me doing instantly!! I share my screen with them, and they can see exactly what is under the document camera. It gives each student a front row seat to the activity we are working on.

  I had been trying to use my cell phone, but this was a hit or miss situation. The document camera works every single time. The kids can follow along with math manipulatives, writing, and art projects.

  Thank you again for your donation to my world of little learners.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Keith

  This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose 20th Anniversary Fund and 10 other donors.

• Double the Screen, Double the Organization and Interaction!

  Funded Jul 25, 2020

  Of all the materials I have obtained to improve the effectiveness of. my virtual teaching, this second monitor has made, by far, the most powerful positive impact.

  While I am sharing a video, or a workbook, or an art project, on my laptop screen for the students to see, I can now see every single student on the second monitor. I can see if they are engaged in the task at hand, or if they have lost focus and need to be reminded to join us. It's so difficult to keep their attention on a computer screen, for they are only 5 years old!! When they hear me say their name, or comment that they need to put down the toy, they know I am paying attention to them, even though they may not be able to see me at that moment. They know I care about them!!

  This second monitor has really helped me connect to my students as well as them to me, I think. I am so so grateful to have this device as part of my virtual classroom.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Keith

• Mindful Movement Mats

  Funded Aug 11, 2019

  Thank you so much for bringing Yoga into our classroom. My students were so excited when the yoga mats finally arrived. The first time we used them we did exercises while practicing our alphabet.

  Once the students learned how to unroll them and roll them back up for storage, we have been using them to meditate in the afternoon as well as learn different yoga positions.

  Meditation and yoga can really improve a child's focus. I am so excited to witness the development in my students. Thank you again for this wonderful opportunity.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Keith

  This classroom project was brought to life by The Clorox Company and 6 other donors.

• Comfy Cozy Colorful Class Seating!!!

  Funded Mar 16, 2019

  Thank you, thank you so much for your donations to make this comfy seating option come to life in my classroom. They students were SO EXCITED when they saw the bean bag chairs set up in our classroom library area! Every student had a turn to sit in them on the first day. In the following days we rotated in small group centers.

  My students have used the bean bags as a cozy reading center. They love to choose a book and get comfy and cozy in a bean bag to read a book to themselves or to a friend. It's been wonderful to have seating choices for students to do independent work/reading. We have also used the bean bags as a small group learning center. Students sit in a circle in the bean bag chairs with a clipboard for a "table" as I provide instruction in a cozy small group.

  I am looking forward to providing this seating option to my students in the upcoming school year. Bean bag chairs really make our classroom feel so much more like home.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Keith

• iLearn with an iPad

  Funded May 16, 2015

  I want to thank you, once again, for your generous donation to help me obtain an iPad for use in the classroom, and for use during professional development sessions. As you know, technology is a necessity these days in every aspect of life, so the same type of technology needs to be used in the classroom to better prepare the children of today to be successful in the future.

  I have used the iPad myself during professional training for our new Common Core Math Curriculum. My district purchased a new math curriculum that is better aligned with Common Core Standards, and the curriculum has several technological components. An iPad was necessary to be able to have hands-on experience during the training session.

  My students have been exposed to the iPad during independent work time to practice letter identification, phonics, and high-frequency words during Language Arts instruction. Students have also had an opportunity to begin practicing number identification, counting, and sorting during independent work after whole group Math instruction.

  It is wonderful to see how excited the students are when they have their turn to use this iPad. The iPad helps to keep their focus a little longer because they really enjoy all the practice "games." When students enjoy what they are doing, they want to participate longer. This will

  help more students become life-long learners!!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Keith

  This classroom project was brought to life by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 10 other donors.

• Hands-On Learning is Hands-On Fun!

  Funded Oct 5, 2012

  This letter is just a small token of my gratitude for your donation to supply my classroom with hands-on activities for my students to have fun working with words and letters every day.

  Students are excited to use magnetic letters to begin building their own words and sentences. They love to assemble puzzles to help them blend new words or practice sight words. The magnetic word-building boards allow them to build words using their phonics knowledge, and then check their accuracy independently. The best part of these new activities is to witness the level of engagement and the self-regulation that occurs each and every day.

  With your donation, my students are learning to read and write at a faster pace because they are engaged and excited about learning.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Keith

  This classroom project was brought to life by Kia Motors America and 9 other donors.

• Magic Carpet Learning

  Funded Mar 13, 2012

  This letter is just a small token of my appreciation for your donation to help fund a new carpet for our classroom. My students use the carpet every day, several times each day to: listen to stories, learn new math concepts by playing math games in small groups, practice songs and short dances to help learn sight words, and to read short stories on their own. It is the center of most activities that take place in our classroom, and the students are so proud to have a bright and clean spot all their own.

  With the budget situation in our district (and many others), this new carpet would not have been possible. I, and my students, applaud your tremendous support. ”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Keith

  This classroom project was brought to life by an anonymous donor and 7 other donors.