Supporting High Quality Preschool

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When the children got their first glance at the volcano and the other science actiivites you graciously supplied they were jumping with joy! They were also very excited and anxious to "explode the volcano". The children were just as thrilled to explore and work with the other resources that were donated. The children are so happy when we use the new materials it makes school much more fun and interesting.

We use our resources according to the school curriculm and the theme of the week. Some of the themes that relate to the donated supplies include Zoo Animals, Wild Animals,and Sound and Movement. We also use our donated items for counting, estimating, grouping, and other mathematical lessons. I like to incorporate as many items as I can to enhance the lessons for the children, they really enjoy demonstartions and live entertainment!

Having tangible items to use for demonstrative purposes is advantageous, especially when exposing very young children to new lessons and ideas. With the addition of our new materials, it has made learning much more enjoyable and exciting. The children were very engaged during the lessons. They asked questions and sat patiently and politely as each took a turn for a "hands-on" experience. Beacause of their heighted interest level I was able to go into greater depth about the lesson, create dialogue amongst the children, and engae in meaningful and authentic questions and answers. Thank you!”

With gratitude,

Mr. Rosales

As soon as our materials arrived, I was eager to set them out for my students to enjoy! My students don't have much language, but the expression on their faces said it all. As soon as they walked in, they noticed right away that we had new cube chairs, colorful pillows, and an awesome rug. One child started to sing the ABC song as he pointed to the letters on the rug. Another child picked up a book and took it over to a cube chair. Our entire day was used to explore the different things we can do with our new items.

Since then, my students use the cube chairs for different activities. As you can see on the pictures posted, we use the cube chairs in our dramatic play area. One student likes to set up the chairs as a long table and then uses it to set up "lunch." My students also enjoy sitting back as they look at their favorite books. During circle time (music, story time), some of my students use cube chairs instead of the regular chairs. The rug is always being used. My students like to sit on the shapes, name the letters, or simply grab a pillow and relax on it. The colorful pillows have been used during color activities. Some students like to hug pillows as they listen to a story. Other students enjoy laying on a pillow as they look through a book.

The activities and experiences these resources have provided have been endless. Thank you very much for your support! I will for ever be grateful.”

With gratitude,

Mrs. PARRA

Once again, I have the great pleasure an a unique opportunity to express my deepest gratitude for helping me to complete this project. As I received the package, I allowed the children to gather around the table so they could see what was inside. I asked them to take guesses. Obviously, no one could imagine the surprise that was inside. But I told them, they were "Magic Books" The funny thing was, that when I pulled it out of the box, surprise, surprise, they all knew what it was: "an iPad teacher" said some. Others: "My mom has one". It was a time to rejoice, specially when I told them It wasn't mine. That some generous people had donated it and that it belonged to them.

We use it almost everyday and I utilize it as an "Exploring time" into the magic world of books and games. As you can see, one parent donated a nice cover to protect it and to make it last longer. I have only one request from them when we use it: To wash their hands before we play with it. its amazing how much and how far a little can go.

from the bottom of my heart and on behalf of my toddlers and preschoolers a big THANK YOU. You rock!”

With gratitude,

Mr. Hernandez

Thank you again for your great contribution to my project "It's Ok To Get Messy." My students were delighted when they saw the easel put together and found out it was for them. They were very excited and wanted to start their art activities using all the materials donated by all of you.

My students love to paint. It gives them the opportunity to be creative using different methods to paint such as mixing colors, painting small and big projects, painting with sponges or water colors, etc. It relaxes them and gives them time to work independently as well.

These art materials had become very handy when the weather is to hot or on rainy days because we can continue with our painting activities indoors. Thank you for helping my students develop their fine motor and social-emotional skills.”

With gratitude,

Ms. Torres

Thank you so much for enhancing my students' language skills by providing us with a boom box and copies of their favorite books on cd. They will be using the listening center daily to improve their vocabulary and comprehension skills.

Our school budget limits our abilities to provide all the materials that our students need. Thanks to wonderful people like you our students will now be able to develop their language skills to communicate verbally and understand what the story is about. These skills will help my English learners to get ready for kindergarten.”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Miranda

The students in our program were excited to receive these two tricycles. They all wanted to use them and amongst them they were negotiating in taking turns. It was great seeing them verbalize their reaction with one another.

The students are using these materials outdoors. They are working on there large motor skills. Those children that had a hard time pedaling are using the tricycle " the starter none pedaling tricycle". Some of the children started using the non pedal tricycle and now have mastered pedaling.

This project has boosted our children's self esteem greatly. This project has allowed them to develop and master the use of there large motor skills. Now they are excited to use the tricycles and not shy away because they where not able to use them. The other tricycles are a lot bigger and harder to maneuver.

Monte Vista Early Education Center says thank you for all that supported this project”

With gratitude,

Ms. Avila

At first, most of the children were a little bit shy approaching the mini iPads that were on the table. They were not sure how to react, even though I gave them information and how to use instructions about the newest technology found in the classroom. A few of the children who have iPads at their homes, readily sat on the chairs and just pressed buttons and soon were heard, 'Wow, that was cool!

I use the iPads as a positive reinforcement to encourage children to accomplish their table activities. Each child is given an opportunity to 'play' for example with the ABC (the letters of the alphabet)- complete with sounds, songs and music. They are also able to pair with their friends as they navigate the world of the newest technology in the classroom.

Learning becomes more fun as they begin to focus longer on one of the most preferred activities of the day.”

With gratitude,

Teacher

For homework I assign a poem or nursery rhyme for my students to memorize and on Fridays they stand in front of the class and recite it to the class. The first time my students used the microphone, they were a bit shy. They weren't quite sure how to speak into it. Wow what a difference a few weeks make. Now they grab that microphone and confidently stand in front of their peers and belt out their poem or song. Everyone participates now and I have seen a major improvement in my shyest students. Thank you so much for believing in me and my students!”

With gratitude,

Ms. Adams

Dear wonderful donors, I wish you could have seen my students faces when I show them the art materials you kindly donated for our classroom. They were so excited and happy after being working with broken crayons, old markers and hardly enough materials for 24 children.

My students are very happy and eager to work everyday. They love tracing letters, numbers, shapes, and creating their own scenes using different colors. They are learning to use the sponge paints to give more life to their pictures. They are also learning to copy their names in the little white boards.

This project has help me see the importance of supplying students with materials that can help boost their interest in learning. My students have enough materials to work in groups or independently but most of all, this project help me build their self esteem because they show pride when they talk about their new materials and say, "My teacher buys for us." "I love Ms. Luz." These comments makes me very happy and reminds me the reason why I love been a teacher. Thank you again for your great support to my profession.”

With gratitude,

Ms. Torres

On behalf of my preschool students I would like to say thank you for your generosity. You have given my students the opportunity to enjoy a tool which is helping them develop communication and cognitive skills. Now that they have an iPad they are able to use technology to enhance their social and language skill. While they play games they are developing important school readiness skills, they also they share, take turns and use language. The communication apps help children with language deficits to a have a way to make requests, to make choices and to answer simple questions. They enjoy taking pictures and videos of their daily activities. This tool will allow them to have a set of important memories which they could share with their families in the near future. Thank you once again.

You gave my students a learning tool that unfortunately due to so many budget cuts we have and will continue to experience in education it has made it difficult to obtain classroom materials appropriate for our preschool classroom. While they play with the iPad they are using their imaginations, developing language, sharing, taking turns, and most importantly making long lasting friendships.

Without people like you my preschool students with special needs would not be able to enjoy materials which help them develop important school readiness skills. Once again thank you for your support.”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Solano