Past projects 11
Cooking It Up in Kindergarten: Dramatic Play Center
Funded May 24, 2020My class and I are very grateful for our new kitchen items for dramatic play. This year has been quite unique, but after many months online we were finally able to learn in-person for the past 6 weeks. When my students first saw the appliances, shopping baskets, and cash register they were so excited! After spending so much time at home on their chrome books, students were ready for hands-on learning opportunities. While the Kindergarten classroom looks different than it did in year prior due to mitigation procedures, the social-emotional development of my students is more critical than ever.
Students are able to choose toys that get housed underneath their desk during the day. They are able to utilize the space around their desk to interact with their peers in a socially distanced way. It has been wonderful to witness the students adapt and find new ways to play. My students are able to set up a grocery store and "shop" from a distance. I have seen them play restaurant and grocery store outside as well, using the snow and playground equipment to recreate what they are doing in the classroom. Students are counting and learning how to "make a deal", since other students have to wait until the toys are sanitized to use them on another day.
My students have combined the new dramatic play items with previous items we received in Donors Choose Projects, such as light table manipulatives and flexible seating options. Looking at how critical it is for students to connect with one another and engage in the social emotional lessons, I am going to prioritize finding more culturally responsive picture books for my next project. I teach in a diverse school and I want all students to feel safe, welcome, and loved. Celebrating our differences and telling stories from another's perspective will help them to be more self and socially aware. Your continued support helps set these students up for success, thank you for all that you do.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Ariel
Bilibos on the Go: Flexible Seating for Work and Play
Funded Feb 28, 2019The Bilibo seats have been a wonderful addition to both my first grade classroom and new kindergarteners this fall. My first graders loved to utilize them as a flexible seating option. It gave them a chance to wiggle their bodies while they worked. One of the most common ways they were used was with clipboards or with work stations on the floor. It gave the students an engaging way to get their classwork done. The movement allowed them to stay focused for longer on the tasks.
My kindergarten students this fall were in awe and so excited when I unveiled the Bilibo seats for the first time! I gave them the chance to explore with them at play time, allowing them opportunities for self-directed discovery. I heard one student make the connection between the Bilibo seat and shell of a hermit crab. He asked his friends to be hermit crabs with them, then I got out the book "A House for Hermit Crab" by Eric Carle. What a perfect opportunity for a creative, hands-on experience! I have also seen my students use the Bilibos as a "soup pot", "a baby cradle", "a bear cave", " a boat", and so much more! I am looking forward to seeing what they continue to use the Bilibos for in the classroom.
Now that I am back in Kindergarten this year, I have found that I have more opportunities to incorporate play-based learning and art throughout the day. This class is very curious and eager to build with a variety of materials! They also love to embellish their art projects with extra details (glitter, googly eyes, and bingo markers to name a few). I also have a lot of students who love to pretend to cook, clean, and dress up in the dramatic play center. As the year goes on, I will be focusing my upcoming projects on ways to incorporate more creativity into the classroom. Thank you again for your ongoing support of my students. They will continue to benefit from your donations for years to come!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Ariel
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose.org Community and 5 other donors.Wiggle While We Work: Flexible Seating in 1st Grade
Funded Oct 31, 2018The impact that the flexible seating options have had on our classroom environment is evident in our day-to-day activities. I can look back at pictures of our classroom before when we had traditional chairs and tables, it is almost a whole new room!
My students were very excited to see all the different types of seats (and even ones that could convert into tables). We took the time to gradual roll out the seating options, with mini reveals each week. I focused on the expectations for the flexible seating option and how we would use it appropriately. Over time, each piece of furniture was fluidly integrated into our classroom. Students were allowed to choose which flexible seating option suited them best for learning during an activity. I noticed an increase in engagement, as well as opportunities to compromise and problem solve when other students wished to use a seat. Once students got accustomed to the seating options, they were open to trying a variety of ways to learn. I attribute the new classroom environment to developing a larger sense of responsibility and independence in my students.
There were many special moments because students took ownership in their learning and their space. Students were being more thoughtful about what they needed to do to help them learn at their best. I loved seeing students creatively share an indoor-outdoor seat- flipping it into a mini desk and then using it to learn sound patterns on iPads. Students who tended to be fidgety were able to get their wiggles out on the stools and work for longer periods of time. Throughout the year students continued to come up with creative new ways to integrate a variety of seating options into a cooperative learning activity. I also enjoyed watching them use the seats during play time. A favorite memory was when they flipped all the indoor/outdoor tables and connected them to make a train.
I am always looking for ways to foster creativity and hands-on learning in the classroom. I also want my classroom to be a welcoming environment for all. In the fall I will be teaching Kindergarten at a different nearby Title 1 school. I will get to know the students, discover their interests, and find out ways I can help set them up for success with new DonorsChoose projects. Thank you so much for your continued support of my students. The flexible seating options will continue to meet the needs of all my learners for years to come.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Ariel
This classroom project was brought to life by Chevron Fuel Your School.Engineering Exploration: Making STEM Mobile in 1st Grade
Funded Oct 12, 2018My students were so excited when the big box arrived into our classroom! We also discussed the different materials we would like to use at the STEM station first. As time went on, students' interests allowed for certain things to be switched out periodically. My students have been able to foster their interest in math and science since receiving the STEM mobile station. Before we had the STEM station, most of our STEM kits and building materials was stored in cabinets that were not accessible to the students. Now the materials are at their level and the activities are student-led.
Thinking about favorite moments with the STEM mobile station, the grid on top has been great for building and storing large lego projects. Students are able to cooperatively work on a project for days in a row during play time. It requires them to dive deeper into thoughtful planning and challenge themselves with more complicated designs. They also love to rotate what is housed in the station and bring the activities and experiments to different places around the room. Some of our favorite things to keep in our mobile STEM station are our BeeBot robots from a previously funded DonorsChoose project. Magnatiles, cubes, Lincoln logs, and other building supplies. Students also liked to keep extra materials from our district provided science kits in the STEM station. A favorite unit they frequently revisited during play time during was Light and Sound. We loved to use tuning forks and explore with how sound waves travel. Overall, the STEM mobile station has become an integral piece of our classroom environment.
I am always looking for ways to foster creativity and hands-on learning in the classroom. I also want my classroom to be a welcoming environment for all. In the fall I will be teaching Kindergarten at a different nearby Title 1 school. I will get to know the students, discover their interests, and find out ways I can help set them up for success with new DonorsChoose projects. Thank you so much for your continued support of my students. The STEM mobile station will help students develop a love for math and science for years to come.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Ariel
This classroom project was brought to life by Craig Newmark Philanthropies and 7 other donors.The Rhythm of Reading: Enhancing First Grade Literacy Through Music
Funded Oct 23, 2018My students were absolutely ecstatic to receive the 30 piece rhythm kit. They have had previous experiences using instruments in music class, but never in our home room. I took a picture of the moment, you can see the excitement on their faces as they eagerly huddled around the box. I introduced each instrument to them one at a time, telling them what it was, how to use it, and listening to the sounds they made. We then divided up into teams to explore with the instruments.
The wide variety of instruments has been incredibly appealing to the students, it offers them the opportunity to be creative and share with others. We used the instruments in lots of ways. They helped boost engagement in various literacy activities. One thing students liked to do was make a 'rhythm line' and practice spelling the targeted sight words on the door. Students also practiced reading more fluently with an instrument as they gained confidence in a leveled reader. Students also loved to play their instruments as we sang along to favorite songs- academic, radio hits, and even making up their own!
I am always looking for ways to foster creativity and hands-on learning in the classroom. I also want my classroom to be a welcoming environment for all. In the fall I will be teaching Kindergarten at a different nearby Title 1 school. I will get to know the students, discover their interests, and find out ways I can help set them up for success with new DonorsChoose projects. Thank you so much for your continued support of my students. These materials will create memorable learning experiences for years to come.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Ariel
This classroom project was brought to life by An Anonymous Arts Funder and 4 other donors.Making Magnetic Magic: Exploring Geometry in Kindergarten With Magna-Tiles
Funded Mar 13, 2018I have had the wonderful opportunity to loop up with my students into 1st grade. As a result, my students are able to benefit from the materials donated to our classroom for another year. I had let them know that some things in our new room would be the same, while other things would be different. When my students entered our new classroom for the first time and saw the Magna-Tiles, they were ecstatic and eager to use them. I even had one student say, "oh good, you kept my favorite toy!"
Every day I have a group of students that build 3-D structures and explore with the Magna-Tiles. My students have play time built into their daily schedule. It is an engaging way for students to apply math, science, and problem-solving skills in a developmentally appropriate learning environment. My students continue to learn how to cooperate as they share the Magna-Tiles and involve each other in the design process. They are also able to change their thinking when a structure collapses and they have to rebuild. At one point last Friday I saw 8 students working collaboratively to create a "high-rise tower" for their counting bears. Students worked together to build rooms and stack layers of squares, rectangles, and triangles together. Some students were meticulously placing the manipulatives in their designated sections, while others were building around them to increase the tower's height. Other students were on the floor sorting the tiles out to create the different sections and passed the materials to the "builders". The students were so proud of their work! They could not wait to show me and asked me to take pictures throughout the process.
I am always looking for additional ways to teach mathematical concepts in a hands-on way. Our new classroom houses a variety of STEM materials that were generously donated from previous Donors Choose projects, but our space is considerably smaller. Unfortunately, that means that I have to utilize shelving that is out of students' reach to store the STEM kits. We are also looking for ways to make learning more mobile and utilize other (larger) spaces in the school. These goals could be fulfilled with my current project, in which I am requesting a mobile STEM station to house our materials and create a work space that is dynamic and accessible to students. As I watch my students progress and grow in first grade, I am humbled when I think of the learning that takes place as a direct result of generous donors. Thank you for everything that you do to help these young minds succeed!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Ariel
This classroom project was brought to life by SONIC Drive-In and one other donor.Engineering Fun With STEM Materials
Funded Nov 20, 2017I greatly appreciate our donors' generosity. My students are able to use the Design & Build Engineering Centers every day. They love the opportunities to build with a variety of different materials. The machines center is particularly popular; I only wish it had more pieces so that more students could use them at the same time. My students also love the Stand Up Magnetic Write and Wipe Center! They are able to utilize it throughout the day across different subject areas and enjoy having a designated space to create their own designs.
My students were so excited when I unwrapped the materials for them one afternoon while they explored around me during centers. They were so curious and could not wait to find spots in the room to test out the Engineer-A-Coaster Activity Kit and Create-A-Chain Reaction STEM kit. Students had to compromise and take turns as they all wanted to modify and create their own pathways for the pieces to ride down the door.
Some of my favorite classroom moments happen during play time when students select materials that interest them and can explore concepts in depth. I have several students who gravitate towards this project's materials every day. Their chain-reaction STEM kit has been supplemented with wooden blocks, marbles, and other classroom materials to make one-of-a-kind structures for the students to test out. The excitement is tangible when they are able to create something that withstands the trial runs along the tracks they build. I also appreciate when they struggle, for it allows them to problem solve constructively and work together as a team.
I am always looking for hands-on, engaging ways to teach my students. My next classroom project will continue to nurture my students' love for math and science as I explore ways to incorporate new materials into our classroom. We love to learn and are excited about the opportunities all these STEM centers and kits provide! Thank you for helping set my students up for success and encouraging them to explore engineering concepts!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Ariel
This classroom project was brought to life by General Motors.Light It Up! Hands-on Learning with a Light Table
Funded Nov 1, 2017I greatly appreciate our donors' generosity. My students are able to use the Color-Changing Light Table and the Light Table Manipulative Center every day. The Color-Changing Light Table is accessible to the students and surrounded by other wonderful STEM supplies that have been donated to our class through other Donors Choose projects. My students love the manipulative center! Every day when I turn on the light table, the students have to compromise and decide which tools to use because it can be difficult for them to decide which ones to choose. Some of the most popular ones include the gems, bugs, and letters.
My students were in awe when I unwrapped and assembled the light table and the manipulatives for them one afternoon while they explored around me with the manipulative center. They were so excited and could not believe all the things the table could do with the remote control. Suddenly the manipulatives seemingly transformed when they interacted with light and colors.
My students love to build and explore! On a daily basis, I turn the light table on for them, customize the settings to their desire, and watch them create. One of their favorite things to do is use Magna-tiles we received from another Donors Choose project in conjunction with the Light Table Manipulative Center to design structures. In math, I am starting to introduce the students to addition with a variety of manipulatives, including dominoes. The dominoes manipulatives are just one of the tools that has been helpful to teach them the concept in a highly engaging way. Today we also celebrated 100 days of kindergarten and used different collections to make 10 groups of 10 in a variety of ways. Students were eager to incorporate the manipulatives to find ways to make 100! They also made paper crowns, necklaces out of 100 fruit loops, and played a variety of math games related to 100. It was wonderful to incorporate the materials from this project into a day that was incredibly memorable.
I am always looking for hands-on, engaging ways to teach my students. My next classroom project will continue to nurture my students' love for math and science as I explore ways to incorporate new materials into our classroom. We are also about to start a unit on forces and interactions that we are excited about! We love to learn and are excited for the learning opportunities all these materials provide! Thank you for helping set my students up for success!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Ariel
Bee-Bots Bopping Around the Kindergarten Classroom
Funded Aug 5, 2017I greatly appreciate your generosity, thank you for supporting our classroom. My students are able to use the Bee-Bot Programmable Robots every day. I first presented the Bee Bots to the students as a whole group. I gathered them in a circle on the carpet and had them assist me with creating a maze out of wooden blocks. It was not until I took out one of the robots and made it move that they realized why I was having them do this. They were in awe of the Bee Bots! The students loved the sounds they made and cheered as they moved. Naturally, everyone was eager to get their hands on one and see their plans come to life. I had students get out dry-erase boards and decide which direction the Bee Bots should travel and they got to take turns programming them. The students learned through trial and error how far the Bee Bots could move and adapted their plans to successfully complete the maze.
We use these robots in a variety of ways. One of my favorite times to see the Bee Bots in action is during playtime when students are utilizing them in a self-directed environment. To this day, one of their favorite things to do is make mazes for the Bee Bots to travel through. What I am seeing is that the courses are increasing in difficulty and the students are using different tools around the classroom. Another enjoyable moment was when the students took it upon themselves to measure each other based on how many pieces of code had to be programmed into the Bee Bots to travel the length of their bodies. Students would lie flat on the ground while their friends predicted and discovered how long it took for the Bee Bots to travel from the child's feet to their head. They also got to compare who was taller and shorter. I always take pride when my students find new ways to learn from each other without my guidance. The Bee Bots nurture that curiosity.
The Bee Bots are incredibly durable with long-lasting batteries that rarely need to be recharged. They have sustained daily use in the classroom during math, science, and playtime without any issues. The buttons are kid-friendly and the programming is simple enough for the students to do it without assistance after some initial modeling from me. One of my future goals would be to purchase three additional Bee Bots and a charging station to allow more students to use them at the same time. However, one of the positive impacts of only having three in my classroom is that it encourages my students to cooperate and problem solve together.
I am always looking for hands-on, engaging ways to teach my students. My current classroom project is focusing on a light table and manipulative center to explore language, science, and math. I would be able to promote more scientific inquiry and allow students to explore the properties of colors and light. We love to learn and are excited about the learning opportunities these materials provide! Thank you for helping set my students up for success and encouraging them to love coding and robotics!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Ariel
This classroom project was brought to life by 3M and 4 other donors.Exploring Our Way Through the Alphabet!
Funded Aug 9, 2017I greatly appreciate your generosity. I am grateful that the materials have been available to my students since the beginning of the year, they provide a meaningful way to learn foundational literacy and language skills. My students are able to use the Alphabet Sounds Teaching Tubs and the storage rack every day. The tubs are in the center of our room and are accessible to students whenever they need them. They love the miniature objects! Every week when I introduce our new letter of the week, I use one of the tubs to provide clues as the students predict what letter it could be. I always hide the tub behind my back and the kids enjoy the unveiling process.
We use these objects in a variety of ways. One of the most engaging activities we did was during a rhyming lesson. I gave each student an object from a tub and they had to mingle around the room and find other students which had an object that had the same ending sound. Throughout the day, students can independently seek out particular letter sound tubs to support them in their learning or to enhance an activity we are already doing. Students are now starting to write more words independently. Sometimes I see them using the tubs as a brainstorming tool as they try to come up with words to write that begin with a letter we are focusing on, or they look at the spelling patterns on the labels and make connections. During playtime, I always have a letter sound station available for students to explore the tubs. It has been wonderful to see them taking an interest in the letters on their own initiative.
My students were giddy with excitement when we first unboxed the materials. The miniature objects and tubs needed to be assembled and sorted in order for us to use them appropriately. I created a station during playtime for students to help put the tubs together. When I did the reveal of the final product, the kids were amazed and took pride in the fact that they had contributed. They take great care when handling the objects as a result.
I am always looking for hands-on, engaging ways to teach my students. My current classroom project is focusing on a light table and manipulative center to explore language, science, and math. I would be able to promote more scientific inquiry and allow students to explore the properties of colors and light. We love to learn and are excited about the learning opportunities these materials provide! Thank you for helping set my students up for success and encouraging them to love learning their letter sounds!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Ariel
This classroom project was brought to life by Lakeshore Learning and 4 other donors.