The "meeting area" of a Kindergarten classroom is where the magic begins. Children gather on a classroom carpet for learning, exploration, games, and discussions. We spend the majority of the day on the floor and having a comfortable place to gather is vital to maintain focus and attention.
Kindergarten is a remarkable year of change and growth.
It is a challenge to meet the high expectations that state standards require while still making Kindergarten developmentally appropriate for 5 and 6 year olds. Above all else, learning has to be fun for the children!
I teach on an Air Force Base. My students have one or both parents that are active duty and come to me from all over the world and the United States. Our school is a Title 1 School and has a high rate of free and reduced lunch, and many times there is only one parent at home because of one parent being deployed. Standards vary across the US and world, so children come to me with a range of skills. They need a stable, engaging, and developmentally appropriate environment at school to succeed and be prepared for first grade.
I strive to create a loving, stable, and successful learning environment for my students. It is important that they feel safe in the classroom and are comfortable to learn and express their feelings.
My Project
Much of our Kindergarten day takes place on the floor. We gather on the floor for calendar time, daily news, and lessons for reading, math, science, and social studies. In a Kindergarten classroom, the best learning takes place when we are gathered close and able to interact with each other, not at tables or desks.
While at the carpet, we may use whiteboards, calculators, or other manipulatives to engage in our learning. We practice communicating with each other during our pair/share time, sharing supplies, and learning how to respect others personal space.
Most Kindergarten students come to the classroom without any prior experience of sitting in a whole group. A classroom carpet will provide individual boundaries for each student while eliminating distractions that may arise from other students. A carpet with designated spaces for each child will help children to focus on their learning while still creating a sense of community.
The classroom carpet is where learning begins!
A child's kindergarten year is essential for creating a love of learning. A comfortable classroom carpet with individual spaces for learning that is engaging with bright colors, letters, numbers, and shapes attracts children and reminds them that learning is fun! A classroom carpet benefits all students in the classroom every day. Having this project funded will allow children to enjoy their learning while building a loving and caring classroom.
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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 Mrs. Pedersen and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.