" I teach in a low income district of a suburban area. My students come from economically disadvantaged homes, to a school district where money is scarce. But, that does not stop the children from being motivated to learn.
Our district has managed to build brand new buildings for the children...
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" I teach in a low income district of a suburban area. My students come from economically disadvantaged homes, to a school district where money is scarce. But, that does not stop the children from being motivated to learn.
Our district has managed to build brand new buildings for the children. But, now there is no money left for anything else. For the past years, I have always purchased a rug that I could personally afford, but that would barely fit half of the class and can barely last the year. Since the new buildings were constructed the fire department is requiring us to have fire-resistant rugs in the classrooms. The district does not provide the rugs but does include read-aloud as part of the daily life of the children in the classroom. This year my economical rugs will not be allowed in the building.
Gathering around a good book, on a comfortably spacious rug is what all readers want to do. The children love listening to the teacher read books aloud to them. We read during reading time, during math time, during science, and social studies times. Read-aloud is a great way to get children interested in a topic - having them in front of you while you read, fixes their attention on the subject, and gets their mind involved in the learning experience.
Children also enjoy lying on the rug alone or with a partner to share a good story. They love being on the rug during game time, or during brainstorming time for a project. They have a great time playing their math games on it. That area always brings this atmosphere of comfort and safety to the children that get them excited about their task, and now it's gone!
I would like a rug big enough to fit the usual 20-30 children on my roster. I cannot afford one that will, meet the school and fire-department’s requirements, keep the children safe, and haven all of them. I need your help. All the children always want to be on the rug, but we have to take turns everyday. Those who don’t get a chance often get turned-off by that and shut down for the duration of the lesson. I am counting on generous souls like yours to help me keep the read-aloud experience alive for the children. Please, I am counting on you, and so are the children. Thank you for believing.
My students need a rug that is fire-resistant and large enough to fit all of them.
The cost of this proposal is $622, which includes shipping for any materials requested and fulfillment ."
Mrs. T. sent this note after the project was fully funded:
Nov 14, 2009
Dear DiStasio Family, Rebekah, David, Dan, Greg, Thomas, Corinne, Karen, Mom, Alice, Samantha, Dudley, Susan, Chelimar and Anonymous Donors,
Thank you! Wow, our class has been waiting for the rug for the longest. We cannot believe that this project was actually funded. We know how expensive the rug is, yet that did not stop you from helping us. The children will no longer argue about getting a spot on the rug. I can't wait until the first read-aloud on that beautiful rug. All the different games, teams, small groups (more than one small group on the rug now), that will happen there. If only you knew the joy in my heart, if only you could see the happy dances that the children will do when this rug will come in. Thank you, thank you, thank you! You have made a difference in the children's lives in our district. Children will sit on this rug for many years. We will clean and protect it. Now our rug will be a safe one. From the bottom of my heart,
With gratitude, Mrs. T.
On Nov 16, 2009, Mrs. T. followed this note with student letters sent via mail to the donor who completed this project, and to donors who gave $100 or more.
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Kathleen N. (volunteer)
on Jun 8, 2009
