"Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere." We're heading into a future that will go nowhere if we continue to place adult-like expectations on kids. Everyone has an imagination. Kids should be allowed to explore, especially those with special needs.
Our Pre-K students are from the most diverse borough of New York City...Queens.
Because of this, our population is made up off many English language learners. When they come into Pre-K, for most, it's their first time in school. Children with special needs are often not diagnosed at this stage since their parents do not have any frame of reference. It is up to us make sure they get the best quality public education they deserve.
Our kids are young, ambitious, and curious, but there's darkness lurking about that's much too serious. Pre-K is a time to explore and play, to imagine and create until the end of the day. But the trouble that's looming seems to be blooming. Academic rigor! Academic rigor! They're telling us to grow up much, much quicker. All kinds of backgrounds, cultures, languages, and needs are represented here. As diverse as we are, there's one thing that's clear...We all know how to play, so please help make sure play will stay!
My Project
Children are natural learners when they are playing. Play is what they do best. During play with others, they learn to socialize, share, and collaborate with peers. I hope to encourage children to use their imagination because it's something kids aren't doing enough of these days. I'm hoping to expand our playground to meet the different needs of our students. It will allow them to use their imagination and think creatively. When children are playing, anyone and everyone is welcomed take part. Ideas are embraced and different and special needs are accepted.
The blocks and sensory table will allow them to explore a new mode of thinking and building. It adds the different elements of our senses and motion. They will take risks, learn what works and doesn't work. They will learn how to be a kid in an environment that embraces who they are, no matter what an assessment, score, or individualized education plan says. They will learn to use their imagination and use it to their advantage.
Your support will improve an entire school of all types of learning needs.
It will allow an entire generation of kids to learn to think and imagine. Play matters in a child's life and by supporting this project you'll be helping our kids use their imagination and creativity. Creativity is something kids are praised for showing but not given enough opportunities to explore. They're given adult-like expectations to meet and never allowed to be who they are...kids!
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mr. Andy and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
{"pmaHash":"","schoolCity":"New York City","showProjectRecommendations":true,"teachersOnPage":[1529780],"isTeacherViewingTheirOwnProject":false,"hideTeacherDetails":false,"schoolState":"NY","teacherPossessivePronoun":"his","PMsManager":null,"schoolGradeType":{"id":1,"name":"Early Education"},"TeacherPMForms":{},"proposalId":1735001,"proposalMessageFormModel":null,"numActiveProjects":4,"completingDonationAmount":0,"teacherHasClassroomPhoto":true,"proposalURL":"https://www.donorschoose.org/project/iep-inspiring-educational-play-for-all/1735001/","verifyShowPhotos":"","eligibleToBeCopied":false,"mayHaveReplacements":false,"numStudents":450,"teacherScreenName":"Mr. Andy","isEquityFocus":true,"authorIds":{"1529780":{"owner":"Mr. Andy","donationSalutations":{}}},"displayedPercentFunded":1.0,"proposalsOnPage":[1735001],"proposalHash":"-993134460","isApplePayMobileOnly":true,"progressBarPercentage":100.00,"pmaId":"","teacherProfilePhotoURL":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1529780_orig.png?crop=1:1,smart&width=136&height=136&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1698503658512","teacherHasProfilePhoto":true,"currentWorkflowStatusCode":21,"teacherChallengeId":252093,"photosPublished":true,"queryString":"","DonorPMForm":null,"isApplePayEnabled":true,"fundedByTarget":false,"activeProject":{"completingDonationAmount":619,"proposalURL":"project/artful-adventures-crafting-with-carle-a/8310493/","proposalTitle":"Artful Adventures: Crafting With Carle and Ehlert","proposalId":8310493},"donorIdsForImpactPhotoCheck":["MzIzNTQ2Mg==","Mjg3ODg0Mg==","MzM0ODA1Nw==","MzMyMTM2Mw==","MzI0NDMxNw==","MzI3MjY2Nw==","MzI4Njk4NQ==","MzI1Mzc3MA==","MzI4MzU4Mw==","MzI4ODE4Mw==","MzA4MzgxMQ==","MzI4NDcxNQ==","MTA0NjU3NQ==","MzMzMDgwMQ==","MzMwNDQxNw==","MzA1NjYyNQ==","MTc0MzgxMw==","MTUyOTc4MA==","Mjc5ODc2OQ==","MzI4NjM1OA==","MzMyMzAwMA==","MTE4ODUyNQ==","MzM0ODk5Mw==","MzI0NDcxNg==","MjcxNjc2OQ==","MTk5MzM2NA==","MjMyNDA2MA==","MzI0NzQ1OA==","MzM1MzYzMQ==","MzI2MDE3Mw==","MjU0NjE3OA==","MjYwODYwMA==","MjI3NjY3Mw==","MTk5NDQyOQ==","Mjk1MTEwMA==","MjUwMzMxMQ==","MzMyMTQ1MQ==","MTc0NDE1NQ==","MjI4MjI3Mw==","MTY3MzI1NA==","MzMwMjM3MA==","MzI0OTAyMA==","MzM1MzExNw==","MzI0NDc3MA==","MzMxMjk3NA=="],"teacherId":1529780,"schoolCounty":"Queens","fullyFunded":true,"isStudentLed":false,"isExpired":true,"schoolStateObj":{"code":"NY","name":"New York"}}
