Completed:Kindergarten Kitchen - Feeding The Future
"I teach Kindergarten in an urban charter school. Many of the students come from underprivileged homes in impoverished neighborhoods. And though they struggle, these children really seem driven to learn and motivated to rise to any challenge.
I have 21 wonder five and six year olds. They thrive o...
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"I teach Kindergarten in an urban charter school. Many of the students come from underprivileged homes in impoverished neighborhoods. And though they struggle, these children really seem driven to learn and motivated to rise to any challenge.
I have 21 wonder five and six year olds. They thrive on hands-on activities that encourage learning. Recently our school adopted a nutrition curriculum to encourage students to make better food choices. For Kindergarteners it's difficult to encourage them to explore different meal options using coloring sheets and the occasional taste test. Many students do not eat breakfast before coming to school or stop to get chips and a soda from the corner store. I feel that building lessons and a center related to healthy eating will motivate the children to start thinking about what foods they put in their bodies early on in life.
I have a small, used wooden kitchen and table for the students to use in class. However, I would like them to experiment with making menus, creating balanced meals, and taking a look at healthy foods. The pretend food items and dish set will allow these wonderful students the chance to essentially put their nutrition lessons to use. In addition, I will be able to incorporate these items into math and writing lessons, as well as, read aloud storytime.
It seems like such a simple thing, pretend food, but for children who aren't used to having much in the way of supplies I know they would be grateful. I would love for them to take away lessons that will last a lifetime. To not only develop their minds, but to give them eating habits that will help them develop healthy lifestyles. Each and every child is so special to me and I would like them to have the best future possible. I believe that helping them to think independently about their eating will not only encourage them to lead healthier lifestyles, but to have the mindset and courage to make other important life decisions wisely.
My students need a variety of pretend food items, kitchen supplies and food baskets.
See Mrs. S.'s class participating in this project!
(Enlarge photos)
Jan 21, 2010
Dear Chris, george, Christina M., David Franke, Joe from Dark Horse who bought a pin for $5, Denis, Shannon, Jane, ErinZimmer, Pierre, Heidi and Anonymous Donor,
I cannot begin to describe how wonderful your gift has been to our classroom! The students are now able to use the kitchen daily! We use the food and dishes to act out stories and to help us with our nutrition program. With children who are five and six years old, the hands on materials make all the difference in the world. They are interested and value what they are learning. It really is amazing to see their faces light up when we pull out the boxes of play food!
Our school would have never been able to afford such a wonderful set of manipulatives. I try to supplement as much as possible, but this truly is a special addition to our classroom. It has already been useful across the curriculum and assisting struggling learners with colors and letters. The children value your donation and treat each item with care and respect...while enjoying them, of course!
I am so very grateful that you took the time to read over my proposal and make the decision to support my children and their future learning! You have touched us deeply and these manipulatives will be used for years to come.
With gratitude, Mrs. S.
Mrs. S. sent this note after the project was fully funded:
Dec 1, 2009
Dear Chris, george, Christina M., David Franke, Joe from Dark Horse who bought a pin for $5, Denis, Shannon, Jane, ErinZimmer, Pierre, Heidi and Anonymous Donor,
I am so grateful for every one of your donations! My class means the world to me and it's really wonderful to know that YOU care about them too. We have been discussing healthy eating and making good choices because our school is running a program based on those ideas. The majority of the students come from low income homes where their meal choices are limited. So while they are here at school, I try to encourage them to take a look at the foods they put into their bodies. We decide as a class what types of snacks to bring in and I try to prompt fruit and veggie choices. The kitchen set up will allow the students to practice using their healthy food knowledge because many will not be able to do that at home. We will also be using items in math and literacy lessons! Counting and writing is always more fun with visuals....especially delicious looking ones. Thanks again so very much!!
Joe from Dark Horse who bought a pin for $5
from Philadelphia, PA
gave
in support of Masta Stache
on Nov 22, 2009
"We made a menu of healthy Thanksgiving foods today. I was so thrilled to see that kids were picking vegetables over the pie and ice cream! They will be SO excited if we can get our little kitchen up and running!! Thank you!"
"I gave to this project because I want more children to enjoy lifelong learning as much as my family does."
Chris
from New York
gave
in support of CASINO
on Dec 1, 2009
Project fully funded!
Happy news
on Dec 1, 2009
"I just got this message as I was lining the class up for recess. They are now screaming and cheering! It's a good thing we are going outside, they are SO excited! Thank you so so much!"
"Thank you for providing me with such wonderful feedback and for being such a wonderful teacher for our young students. I have great memories of my kindergarten teacher (kitchen included) which was many many many years ago."
Christina M.
from Concordville, PA
on Jan 21, 2010
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JoEllen S. (volunteer)
on Jul 31, 2009
