Past projects 17
Playful Learning About Simple Machines
Funded Apr 3, 2023I thank you again for the amazing simple machines classroom materials that helped me introduce basic physics concepts to FOUR YEAR OLDS! The classroom was transformed into what seemed more like a children's museum than preschool.
These materials did not just teach about how things work, but it allowed for a more playful approach to teaching basic pre- literacy and math skills as well. We blended sounds using the inclined plane to slide, slide, slippity slide the sounds together! We extended read alouds about Henri Matisse's art using our own lever + wedge (scissor) to make collage art, and used a marker on a stick to draw with a lever from a make believe sick bed, just like Matisse! For math, we created an adding machine using two inclined planes that were tilted towards a counting basket. These are just a few examples of ways in which this project transformed our classroom for six weeks, and brought learning to life for the four-year old children in our class.
At the end of the year, I always ask what was the favorite study for the year. And, most replied, "Wimple machines! Thank you, thank you!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Erika
This classroom project was brought to life by PNC Grow Up Great®.Brain Builders - Math!
Funded Dec 9, 2022This project helped me build a high quality math environment for my students. With this grant, I created a math center that students are excited to use. The math center was a big change for my classroom loved not just by the students, but also my administration.
The key to the success of this project is that the materials allow for students to independently practice counting, patterning, quantifying, measuring, and mathematical story telling. I'm able to rotate materials and provide a lot of choice. To give a concrete example, right now, we are studying insects. The students have insect counters they use in the pattern tray provided by this grant. They are using the counting tray to count up to 30 ants to go along with our marching ants story telling. We use the unifix cube counter to reinforce the concept of the +1 pattern in counting, and estimate then measure how many cubes long various insects are. The best part is that they don't need much, if any, teacher facilitation to meet their learning goals. Your donation is appreciated every day.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Erika
This classroom project was brought to life by Bainum Family Foundation.Super Duper Writing Center
Funded Dec 9, 2022The Super Duper Writing Center has helped to generate enthusiasm for expressing ideas through writing in class. We have a dedicated writing time each day providing students opportunities to share knowledge, ask questions, or express their opinions. Since its PreK, there are a lot of rigorous task demands and skills being developed: 1) fine motor; 2) symbolic representation of ideas; and, 3) letter, letter/sound correspondence. Making it fun with these fabulous writing materials has made all the difference. I've attached some of the ways the Super Duper Writing Center supported student engagement in learning during an in-depth study of clothing. One student represented what weaving is, another student wrote and drew a picture representation of knowledge gained, from dying clothing, among other images. We appreciate your support.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Erika
This classroom project was brought to life by Bainum Family Foundation.In Search Of Our Pre-k Garden
Funded Jan 12, 2023I am thrilled to see that we will have the resources to bring our insect/garden study to life, thanks to your generosity! Our four-year-olds are going to enjoy the hands-on opportunities afforded by this project. We thank you for supporting early childhood education and project-based learning.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Erika
Light Up Our Prek Classroom
Funded Aug 24, 2022We are so thankful for the light table that your donation supported! The light table is one of the most popular areas of our room. As the children arrive, a few choose to start their day playing alone or with one other friend at the light table. Children will also often choose to shelter in the quiet it offers during our lively center time play. During teacher-directed learning times, children will often have the choice of using the light table and its tools for meeting their learning objectives. Playing with light truly calms their senses, inspires their imaginations, and allows children a choice in the environment for learning. We can't thank you enough for supporting this important environmental feature for our preschool classroom.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Erika
This classroom project was brought to life by An Anonymous Funder and 6 other donors.Building Academic Skills
Funded Dec 31, 2022Wow! Thank you all so much for your support and helping fund our BUILDING STUDY project, always a favorite student in our class! With this funding, these young learners will have so many opportunities to grow STEM and literacy skills through play. Thanks again for your generous donations and your support!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Erika
Read With Me, Buddy: PreK Author & Illustrator Studies
Funded Apr 16, 2019We used your generous donation of author/illustrator books to help students learn about the concepts of authors and illustrators, and to develop familiarity with the writing and illustration styles of the authors/illustrators included in this project.
Each author/illustrator was focused on during a 4-6 week period, with books being read and re-read over those weeks. At the same time, the students had access to copies of the same books during a 10 minute transition every day. Students worked independently and in pairs to practice reading behaviors with familiar books and authors.
Teachers facilitated learning by encouraging students to point at words while they "pretended" to read familiar text and described what happened in the story across the pages. Sometimes teachers asked the child to "read" repeated text while we pointed at the words. In this interactive process, we reinforced concepts of print such as the concepts of words and spaces between words as they "read". Overtime, students became familiar enough with the text to match oral words to print, an early pre-reading skill. Perhaps most importantly, they grew in their appreciation for these high-quality texts and their authors and illustrators.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Erika
This classroom project was brought to life by PNC Grow Up Great® and 2 other donors.Balance Beams, Balls, & Bats, Oh My!: Maximizing Outdoor Play
Funded Aug 23, 2019With your support, we created outdoor learning centers with more opportunities for movement! The students were so excited to receive the donated materials! We offered the choice of playground or outdoor learning centers and all of the students preferred the outdoor learning centers. So, we used these materials for our outdoor centers in our school's courtyard for half of the week and had playground equipment play for the other half. These outdoor learning supplies became particularly useful for supporting a return to the classroom following the coronavirus closures.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Erika
This classroom project was brought to life by PNC Grow Up Great® and 5 other donors.OSMOtize my PreK Room!
Funded Jan 31, 2019It seems evident that technology has become an important part of everyday life for young children, as tablets, computers, video games, cell phones, and smart home devices have become ubiquitous. I believe that technology can and should have a role in the early childhood education classroom, and thanks to your generous donation, we have leveraged many of its benefits.
Once a week, technology is offered as a center time activity and a classroom volunteer comes to support 2-4 students using the tablet fairly independently. The engaging letter- and letter-sound applications offered through the OSMO have facilitated developing child knowledge of specific letters and letter-sounds, all while tracking individual child skill development and increasing challenge incrementally. Fine motor skills have been strengthened through applications focused on using those finger and hand movements critical for developing writing skills. In one application we use, Montessorium, innovative touch-technology provides immediate feedback for learning proper letter formation. OSMO also has some interesting real-world simulations for counting and quantifying to support math concept development. Pre-math skill is one of the strongest predictors of reaching achievement later in development, and my students love the challenges presented by the OSMO applications.
The Ipads have had some unexpected benefits as well. Children who come to school early are rewarded with free time on the IPAD. For 30 minutes, between 8:15 and 8:45, the Ipads are available for use. As such, we are seeing decreases in tardiness as well as improved math and literacy skill development for these early birds! I have two students who typically don't nap. After 30 minutes of rest, the Ipads make for productive learning time for these students. And lastly, one of my students needs an uncomfortable medical treatment twice daily. The Ipad has decreased her refusals for treatment, and created opportunities for more productive learning time for this student.
This gift of technology has made such a difference in my classroom!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Erika
This classroom project was brought to life by Verizon and 9 other donors.Sensory Play in PreK
Funded Apr 18, 2019Thank you so much for your generous donation! I’m excited to build out my learning centers with these sensory enhancements. This project allows meet to teach in multiple modalities and to be better able to meet the needs of students who require sensory modalities for learning.
Thank you!!!
Ms. Erika”
With gratitude,
Ms. Erika
This classroom project was brought to life by PNC Grow Up Great® and 5 other donors.