Really Reading In Kindergarten (Classroom Project at DonorsChoose.org)

Really Reading In Kindergarten

Classroom project requested by Mrs. B. on Nov 3, 2009

High Poverty

Florida

Where is the classroom located?

"I am a teacher of reading, writing, mathematics, science, social studies, health and life skills. All 18 of my students are in kindergarten. My school is 84% free and reduced lunch. Money has been very hard to come by both at school and within the community.

Among everything that I teach, I conside..." more»

Among everything that I teach, I consider reading to be the most important. I have incorporated a daily readers workshop that will empower my students to become readers. Soon, my students will become Story Knowledge Readers, but I do not have the materials or the funding.

The books Big Al, The Gingerbread Man, Harry the Dirty Dog, Three Billy Goats Gruff and Corduroy are excellent stories that will guide the beginning stages of Story Knowledge readers. These books are read time and time again. The students will use these to retell the stories and eventually will be able to read the story. The pointers will help the students track the words that they read. The highlighting tape will help the students look for sight words while they are in readers workshop. The highlighting tape will also help the students tag any words that they were stuck on and need to come back to.

By providing funding, you are helping my students become readers. My goal is to have all of my students reading on a first grade level when they graduate kindergarten. With your help, you can make this goal a reality. hide»

My students need 6 copies of "Big Al", "The Gingerbread Man", "Harry the Dirty Dog", "Three Billy Goats Gruff" and "Corduroy", 15 pointers, and 36 rolls of highlighting tape. details»

May 17 Briani B an intern at donorschoose.org

Packaged the thank-you letters written by Mrs. B.'s students and sent them on to the eligible donor(s).

Apr 20 Mrs. B. the Teacher

Bigger Photos

Reply to the classroom

Dear Mr and Mrs Gale, Joshua, Alicia, BARRETT, Devesh, Flavia & Barden and Anonymous Donor,

Your contributions to the Really Reading in Kindergarten project are immensely appreciated. I had started a new program this year called Readers Workshop. Part of the program has the students read "star books" independently and with a partner. These "star books" have very strong story lines which enable young readers to remember the story. Thus, it builds the readers confidence and they develop a love for reading. I was very passionate about starting this program; however, I did not have the funds or materials that were needed to start. My assistant Principal suggested that I try the website Donorschose.org. I am so glad that I followed her advice because now I not only have the materials, I have confident readers.

When I explained to the class that we were getting new materials for Readers Workshop, they were very excited. When the packages arrived, they eagerly sat on the carpet as I opened each box. There were many oohs and awes, even a couple squeals. I showed them each book and explained that we had six copies of each. They could hardly contain their excitement. Their eyes grew so large when I showed them the hand pointers. I use my own hand pointer during our read alouds and during calendar math. When they are in centers, they argue over who gets to use hand pointer. Now, they each have their own hand pointer to use to follow along with the words and track their reading.

The books have already been read and added to the star books basket or into the students reading bag. Each student can have two star books at a time along with other books that are on their reading level. The highlighting tape was added to their reading toolbox. They are using the pink highlighting tape to highlight the sight word that we are working on for that week. They are using the blue highlighting tape to highlight any words they do not know. When I am conferring with them, we can find the blue highlighting tape and sound out the word together. And as I said previously, the hand pointers as being used to track as they are reading.

By funding this project, you have brought the fun back into Readers Workshop. I started the Readers Workshop program without all the materials because of the importance and impact it had on student reading. Now that we have the materials, I am able to do each lesson with fidelity and enthusiasm. My enthusiasm definitely carries over to my students, who are just as eager to be using all of their materials. Thank you for caring about education and for supporting our reading efforts. Thanks to your contribution, my students are more than prepared to move onto to first grade as confident and on level readers.

With gratitude,
Mrs. B.

Reply to the classroom

Mar 25 Jenni D a staff member at donorschoose.org

Purchased the books for Mrs. B.'s classroom and notified the school principal of delivery.

Mar 23 Mrs. B. the Teacher

Dear Mr and Mrs Gale, Joshua, Alicia, BARRETT, Devesh, Flavia & Barden and Anonymous Donor,

Words can not express how grateful I am to receive these materials. This project is something that I am very passionate about and now we will finally have all of the materials to fully implement our reading workshop program.

When I told my class that we got all the money needed to get the rest of our "star books" they all cheered. The small amount of star books that we already had are their favorite books to read. Now that we have all the materials, I know that their reading will really take off. They will be Really Reading in Kindergarten.

Thank you again for all your contributions. We could not have done this with out all of you.
With gratitude,
Mrs. B.

Reply to the classroom

Mar 23 DonorsChoose.org

Good news: Project fully funded!

Mar 17 APG gave from New York in honor of Mr and Mrs Gale from NY, NY supporting Eloise Gale's Giving Page

Mar 17 Mrs. B. the Teacher

"We appreciate your contribution, Joshua. We cant wait to read our books."

Mar 17 Joshua from Georgia supporting Eloise Gale's Giving Page

"I gave to this project to honor the memory of Eloise Gale. "

Mar 10 Mrs. B. the Teacher

"Thank you for your contribution. It is greatly appreciated."

Mar 10 Flavia & Barden from New York, NY supporting Eloise Gale's Giving Page

"I gave to this project because Eloise Gale was not only a beautiful young woman, but a bright and generous and kind-hearted person, a credit to the entire dedicated teaching profession. She deserves everyone's gratitude and remembrance."

Feb 02 Mrs. B. the Teacher

"Thank you. You are helping us acheive our goal. We can not wait to start this project and get these books in my students hands."

Feb 02 A donor

"I gave to this project because I wanted to help these students acheive their goal."

Jan 15 Mrs. B. the Teacher

"Thank you so much for your donations. Your right, reading is fun. I hope to enstill a passion for reading at a young age. We appreciate all your help and thank you to everyone who has supported a local school."

Jan 15 Alicia from Crystal Beach, FL

"I gave to this project because learning to read is not only important, it's fun! I hope this helps move you closer to your goal."

Jan 15 Alicia from Crystal Beach, FL

"I gave to this project because learning to read is not only important, it's fun! I hope this helps move you closer to your goal."

Jan 15 BARRETT from TAMPA, FL

"I gave to this project because I love to read too, and also because helping other people is the most rewarding thing you can do."

Dec 15, 2009 Mrs. B. the Teacher

"Thank you so much for you donation. It is greatly appreciated!"

Dec 15, 2009 Devesh from Palm Harbor, FL

"I donated because I want to support kids in Florida."

Nov 5, 2009 John C an associate at donorschoose.org

Verified the cost of the requested books and posted this project.

Nov 3, 2009 Christine V a staff member at donorschoose.org

Reviewed the project essay and sent follow-up questions if needed.

Please notify our staff of any messages or photos of concern.

Nov 3, 2009Mrs. B. - Teacher

Project Details

Materials	Vendor	Price	#	Total
Big Al Andrew Clements, Yoshi (Illustrator)	Barnes and Noble	$6.29	6	$37.74
The Gingerbread Man Karen Schmidt, Karen Lee Schmidt (Illustrator)	Barnes and Noble	$3.59	6	$21.54
Harry the Dirty Dog Gene Zion, Margaret Bloy Graham (Illustrator)	Barnes and Noble	$6.29	6	$37.74
Three Billy-Goats Gruff Ellen Appleby (Illustrator)	Barnes and Noble	$3.15	6	$18.90
Corduroy Don Freeman, Don Freeman (Illustrator)	Barnes and Noble	$6.29	6	$37.74
Hand Pointers	School Specialty Inc.	$10.91	5	$54.55
Wide Highlighter/Note Tapes - Pink 1/2", 3-line, 393" roll.	School Specialty Inc.	$2.84	18	$51.12
Wide Highlighter/Note Tapes - Blue 1/2", 3-line, 393" roll.	School Specialty Inc.	$2.84	18	$51.12

Vendor Shipping Charges				$15.68
State Sales Tax				$0.00
3rd Party Payment Processing Fee				$4.66
Fulfillment Labor & Materials				$9.00
Project Cost Excluding Donation to Support DonorsChoose.org				$339.79
Optional Donation to Support DonorsChoose.org				$74.59
Project Cost Including Donation to Support DonorsChoose.org				$414.38
7 Donors				-$414.38
To Go				$0.00