Past projects 2
A New Rug For A New Year!
Funded Aug 29, 2012I would like to start by thanking you for your donation that allowed our classroom to receive a brand new carpet. In the beginning of the year I noticed that my students had difficulties sitting on the carpet that was in our classroom. The carpet had squares that were marked with masking tape. The squares were not evenly marked off so, there were large and small squares. I had students that were taller and needed additional space on the carpet. Students were too close to each other and they would bump into each other at times. This would distract my students from focusing on the instruction. My students were aware of the project that was posted on Donors Choose and they were thrilled to hear that our project was funded. They knew that they were going to get a new carpet that they can sit on. The carpet arrived one afternoon and it was set up afterschool. The next morning the students arrived to the classroom to find their new carpet. They ran to the carpet and immediately sat in the same area that they sat on. The first comments that were made by the students were "I have more space," "It has colors," and "It is clean." From that day on, my students have enjoyed using the carpet for whole group and small group activities.
The new carpet is an important tool in our everyday classroom activities. Every morning the students arrive to school, put their backpacks away, and they go sit on their spot on the carpet so they we can do our morning activities. We start our morning on the carpet to update our calendar, and throughout the day the students come back to sit on the carpet when we I introduce a new concept/activity. My students sit on the carpet during whole group instruction and read aloud. They have enough space to stretch out in their squares and they do not disrupt their classmates in doing so. The carpet is very spacious, that my students are able to sit in a large semi-circle giving every student enough room to sit on the carpet and not obstruct anyone's view. This is very important because when I introduce the activities for our literacy and math centers, I need every student to see the materials and listen to instructions for their centers. In one of the centers the students can choose to read books, work with puzzles, or work on an activity of their choice. Every single time, the group who is in the free exploration group, will choose an activity in which they can go use the carpet. They will sit or lay down to read a book or they will work on puzzle on the carpet. Throughout the day we will count aloud, read, and review the alphabet among other things. All of this is done will my students sit on their carpet. My students take turns reviewing these concepts and the carpet plays an important role in this. Our carpet has 5 colors: purple, blue, green, orange, and red. I will call a row (ex. Purple row), and the students sitting on that row will respond. During group lessons I will ask students to Think, Pair, Share with their classmates. The students sitting on the blue row will turn around and share with their classmates sitting on the purple row. The green and orange row follows and does the same thing. Students who sit on the red row will turn and share with the student sitting next to them. I can also reverse the order so that the students can talk to different classmate. The colors on the carpet make it easy for the students to have discussions with their peers. The colors on the carpet also facilitate classroom management. When students are dismissed to their desks or line up, I call one row at a time and I call them using the colors on the carpet. Not only are my kindergarten students reviewing their colors on a daily basis, but they are also learning responsibility in taking care of their carpet.
My students use the carpet everyday and they are aware that this is their carpet. They know that they will use the carpet throughout the school year and that future students will use the carpet in years to come. It is for this reason that my students take pride in taking care of their carpet. Every time the students enter the classroom, they make sure to wipe their feet on the door mat so that they do not bring in dirt on their shoes that might stain the carpet. If they see grass, paper, or debris on the carpet the students immediately clean it up. This has also encouraged the students to help clean up after themselves in the classroom as well as in their house. My students clean up after they work at their desks and before they go home. My students want to keep the carpet clean and their classroom clean. Some parents have mentioned that their child is taking this responsibility to their house and they want to help clean up at home. The carpet plays an important role in our classroom, the students review their colors everyday with the carpet, the carpet is used every day during instruction, and it also teaches responsibility in the classroom and at home.
This project was initially started because my students needed a place to sit on, and now it has turned into a place to learn, it has given the students an opportunity to become responsible. With your help my students have a carpet to call their own. Thank you!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Ramirez
This classroom project was brought to life by Teachers Rock and one other donor.A Learning Center for our Scholars
Funded Mar 12, 2012I would like to start by thanking you for you for taking the time to make a donation to our classroom project. Our students were ecstatic to receive their new listening center and learning centers. The day I told them that our project was funded they began to count the days for our learning supplies to arrive. The day our order came in, the students cheered when they saw the box that was delivered to our classroom. We unpacked the materials together and they could not stop cheering with excitement. One student even said, "I've always wanted to go shopping for this." The students have taken pride in their materials. The students take care of their games and listening center because they know that somebody took the time to by this for them.
The students have been using the learning centers daily during workshop time. Our students look forward to their turn because they are able to choose the game of their choice. The students know that they are reinforcing the skills that they have learned in class. For example, the students select the games based on the skill that they want to review. Students say "I want to add today" or "I want to work with patterns today." The students are responsible for distributing the cards, counter, and headphones for the game that they play. The students have learned to place the CD in the CD player and skip to the track needed for the activity that they are going to work on. The students take pride in setting up the center; participate in their selected game, and for cleaning up. Another game that my students enjoy is the game in which they practice the beginning sounds. The students help their peers in checking to see if they matched the correct cards to the beginning sound. They enjoy this game because they feel successful in the game and they act as if they are the teacher.
I cannot begin to tell you how my students have become empowered with these games. The students take turns in leading their activities. They have acquired a sense of responsibility. My students work hard to be selected as the leader of their group at the listening center. My students are proud of their listening center and guide their parents in the listening center. The students invite their parents to come to the classroom during conferences or afterschool. They take that special time to bond with their parents as well as to show them that they are "big kids" and show them how to play a game.
It is for this reason and many more that I am forever grateful for your donation that allowed my students to have a listening center and games that they can call their own!
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With gratitude,
Ms. Ramirez
This classroom project was brought to life by an anonymous donor and 4 other donors.