You're on track to get doubled donations (and unlock a reward for the colleague who referred you). Keep up the great work!
Take credit for your charitable giving! Check out your tax receipts
Donate
To use your $50 gift card credits, find a project to fund and we'll automatically apply your credits at checkout. Find a classroom project
Menu
Skip to main content

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season!
Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.

Your school email address was successfully verified.

Edit classroom photo

Mrs. CW’s Classroom Edit display name

  • NJ
  • More than half of students from low‑income households

https://www.donorschoose.org/classroom/4308639 Customize URL

View your stats
Track donations »
Edit
Exposing children to natural materials enjoys a rich researched based approach to facilitating a connection to the natural world. One of the most FUNdamentals materials is mud. Mixing soil, water and other natural materials like pebbles, leaves, sticks or grass provides endless possibilities for learning and fun. Scientists have now learned that soil contains microscopic bacteria called Mycobacterium Vaccae which stimulates the immune system and increases the levels of serotonin in our brains, an endorphin that soothes, calms and helps humans to relax. Mud is an excellent medium for learning. The same release of serotonin that occurs when playing in mud has also been shown to improve cognitive function. And the rich, engaging sensory play children partake in while playing with mud, allows them to express their creativity while enhancing their fine motor skills. Children practice social skills such as cooperation, negotiation, communication and sharing as they work together. Emergent math and science skills are practiced as children make comparisons, solve problems, test theories and measure and count ingredients for their various creations. This is the scientific process in action. Mud is a wonderful art medium, opened ended, and is in ample supply. The open ended nature of mud encourages creative thinking and allows children to freely create without fear of making mistakes. This can be a rich medium for children to endlessly explore and can become an introduction to artists who work with natural materials such as Andy Goldsworthy, Heather Jansen Anna Garforth and many others. By providing time outdoors and the chance for muddy, messy play, teachers can facilitate a love for earth!

About my class

Exposing children to natural materials enjoys a rich researched based approach to facilitating a connection to the natural world. One of the most FUNdamentals materials is mud. Mixing soil, water and other natural materials like pebbles, leaves, sticks or grass provides endless possibilities for learning and fun. Scientists have now learned that soil contains microscopic bacteria called Mycobacterium Vaccae which stimulates the immune system and increases the levels of serotonin in our brains, an endorphin that soothes, calms and helps humans to relax. Mud is an excellent medium for learning. The same release of serotonin that occurs when playing in mud has also been shown to improve cognitive function. And the rich, engaging sensory play children partake in while playing with mud, allows them to express their creativity while enhancing their fine motor skills. Children practice social skills such as cooperation, negotiation, communication and sharing as they work together. Emergent math and science skills are practiced as children make comparisons, solve problems, test theories and measure and count ingredients for their various creations. This is the scientific process in action. Mud is a wonderful art medium, opened ended, and is in ample supply. The open ended nature of mud encourages creative thinking and allows children to freely create without fear of making mistakes. This can be a rich medium for children to endlessly explore and can become an introduction to artists who work with natural materials such as Andy Goldsworthy, Heather Jansen Anna Garforth and many others. By providing time outdoors and the chance for muddy, messy play, teachers can facilitate a love for earth!

Read more

About my class

Read more
{"followTeacherId":4308639,"teacherId":4308639,"teacherName":"Mrs. CW","teacherProfilePhotoURL":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/136/teacher-placeholder-5_136.png","teacherHasProfilePhoto":false,"vanityURL":"","teacherChallengeId":20911832,"followAbout":"Mrs. CW's projects","teacherVerify":1570466059,"teacherNameEncoded":"Mrs. CW","vanityType":"teacher","teacherPageInfo":{"teacherHasClassroomPhoto":true,"teacherHasClassroomDescription":true,"teacherClassroomDescription":"","teacherProfileURL":"https://www.donorschoose.org/classroom/4308639","tafURL":"https://secure.donorschoose.org/donors/share_teacher_profile.html?teacher=4308639","stats":{"numActiveProjects":0,"numFundedProjects":0,"numSupporters":36},"classroomPhotoPendingScreening":false,"showEssentialsListCard":false}}
Supporting teachers and students since 2000

DonorsChoose makes it easy for anyone to help a classroom in need. Public school teachers from every corner of America create classroom project requests, and you can give any amount to the project that inspires you.

We've earned the highest possible ratings from Better Business Bureau, Charity Watch, Charity Navigator, and Guidestar.