Past projects 14
Let Their Imagination Soar In a World of Books
Funded Jan 29, 2018Thank you so much for your generous donation. Thanks to you my classroom has a collection of exciting classical stories such as Little Red Riding Hood, The Gingerbread boy and many more. It is unbelievable how sharing these classics with my students brings out a love for learning and attention from them. Teaching prekindergarten is a very challenging task because 4 and 5 year olds do not have a very long attention span. However, story time is a time that every child loves especially when they know that they will be listening to a fun and exciting story. Unfortunately, the reading series that is given to us in prekindergarten is not very interesting and it does not capture the students interest or attention. Therefore, I am now enriching my students with the books that were received thanks to you!
I have incorporated these books in our library center and during teacher read alouds. It is amazing to see my students holding these books and actually enjoying looking at the illustrations and acting out the stories with one another. Story time is one of the best ways of teachings students about important life lessons. It also builds many important foundational skills, introduces vocabulary, provides a model of fluent, expressive reading, and helps children recognize what reading for pleasure is all about.
All in all, your donation has made a world of difference in our classroom. Thank you once again for helping me and my students. Teaching is a very rewarding career but unfortunately we do not always have the materials that we need in order to make a difference and make the learning experience more meaningful. So, thank you!!!!!!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Umana
ABCs Here We Come! Learning Letter Sounds Is So FUN!!
Funded Nov 29, 2017Thank you for donating to my class project. Your generous donation definitely impacted my students. My prekindergarten students were thrilled when they saw all the goodies we received. All of the items we received are being used on a daily basis to practice the letter names and sounds.
The items that we received are the letter chart, Alphabet Mystery Box, Letter Sound Matching Board, I Can Build Simple Words Box, and the Classroom Magnetic Letters. One of the many challenges of being a prekindergarten teacher is that we are not allowed to use worksheets with the students. We are expected to teach the students through the use of games, board games, and creative ways. As a new prekindergarten teacher, I was faced at the beginning of the school year with having to invent games and print board games from online. However, now that I have all of these amazing letter games and tools our classroom is filled with fun and learning all week long.
In prekindergarten, I introduce the students to a letter every week. I teach them the name of the letter, the sound, how to write the letter, and I introduce things that start with that letter. I teach these concepts during whole group instruction and during small groups. My favorite item to use with my students during small group is the Letter Chart. With this chart I show my students how to write the letter correctly and I post pictures of things that start with the letter we are covering. This chart is very interactive because it allows the students to use markers to pretend to be the letter detective and circle all of the letters they find in the poster. The chart also comes with a rhyme for each letter which the students truly enjoy. This is very beneficial for my students being that they are all English Language Learners so they are being immersed in the English language through rhyme and illustrations. This poster along with the other letter toys and activities has made such a big impact for my class. I can not even express with words how thrilled we all are and most importantly learning is definitely taking place with the help of these resources.
These toys and resources are allowing me to make the learning process a lot more meaningful for my students. Using hands on activities and manipulatives is important for all students but most importantly for English Language Learners. It is proven that when students get to see and touch things during the learning process they capture and learn the content faster. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for this act of kindness. These resources have already made an impact on my students and we will be using all of the items on a weekly basis until the end of the school year and for years to come with each and every group of students that I have. THANK YOU!!!!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Umana
This classroom project was brought to life by PNC Grow Up Great® and one other donor.Energetic and Active Little Ants!
Funded Nov 29, 2017I started using all of the materials the very first day we received it. My students are so excited with all of the outdoor play equipments. All of my students live in apartments where they do not have access to a backyard to play. That's why I have had to teach my students how to play hop scotch, how to hula hoop, bounce a ball and jump rope. They are still in the process of learning how to do all of these fun activities. If it weren't for your generous donation my students probably never would've had the chance to play hop scotch, jump rope, or bounce a ball. They are all so excited and because of this they have all been behaving better in class in order to ensure they each get a tool during playground time.
Many individuals do not know about the link of children engaging in play and reading readiness. For example, being able to balance is a skill needed in order to help students prepare themselves to read. So, for my prekindergarten students not only are these materials fun and engaging but these tools are helping to prepare them to acquire important skills such as reading. Unfortunately, a lot of my students do not know how to balance themselves or even hop. However, now that I have access to all of these wonderful materials I will be putting together structured play time where I will teach my students the physical activities they need in order to be healthy active individuals.
Outside time was already starting to become somewhat boring because we did not have anything to play with except for an overcrowded playground. Now my students get to choose when they go outside whether they want a ball, hula hoop, jump rope, bean bags, or play hop scotch. Playground time is even fun for me as an adult because I enjoy watching my students be happy and excited. The best part of all is that I don't hear my students complaining about being bored and wanting to go inside. They are all active and exercising and they don't even realize it.
All in all, these materials have been an amazing gift for my students. Thank you once again for this donation. We truly love it! Today we used our hop scotch rug to practice counting from 1-10, to review the word "over" and to understand patterns. Unbelievable how one simple activity can teach so many important skills to a 4 year old.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Umana
This classroom project was brought to life by PNC Grow Up Great® and one other donor.Little ABC Learners! Ready to Read
Funded Nov 2, 2017Thank you for donating to my class project. You have impacted my students in a very positive way. The students couldn't believe it when I told them that we were going to get tubs with toys for each letter in the alphabet.
Although the ABC toys tub is used weekly during small groups, the ABC tubs have been used daily as well during center time. The tubs have proved to be useful in a number of ways. In pre-k it is very challenging getting four year olds to listen and focus during instructional time. However, all of my students love toys. So, when I take out the tub with toys for the letter of the week they all get so excited!
In prekindergarten, I introduce the students to a letter every week. I teach them the name of the letter, the sound, how to write the letter, and I introduce things that start with that letter. I teach these concepts during whole group instruction and during small groups. I love using these ABC tubs during small groups because the students enjoy taking turns to hold the toys and take turns naming each item. Pre-k is a very challenging grade level to teach because I am not allowed to use worksheets. I have to use games and creative activities in order to teach. So, as a new pre-k teacher I have had to think outside the box to come up with fun and creative ideas. This box filled with toys has made such a big impact for my class. I can not even express with words how thrilled we all are.
My students are all English language learners and there are times when certain words are very difficult for them. For example, when we covered the letter F a lot of them struggled with the meaning of the word "Feather." As soon as I took out the tub and showed them a feather they all understood what I was saying. These tubs are allowing me to make the learning process a lot more meaningful for my students. It is proven that when students get to see and touch things during the learning process they capture and learn the content faster. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for this act of kindness. This box filled with toys has already made an impact on my students and we will be using it every week until the end of the school year. THANK YOU!!!!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Umana
This classroom project was brought to life by PNC Grow Up Great® and one other donor.