My students need a collaborative work space that allows for there to be plenty of floor space in which to move and groove when we need to reset our brains with a wiggle & dance break.
My first graders are curious, energetic, and easily captivated. They love to work together, practicing their social skills as they learn to cooperate and consider each other's ideas, and learn best when given the opportunity to do so. Located on the beautiful southern Oregon coast, my students have a world of beauty at their fingertips. Because we are a community that grew and thrived on the now almost non-existent logging and lumber industry, the struggle is real in our town, and for many families, school is the first opportunity for children to interact and learn from one another. It is up to me to help them learn not only content, but also how to interact with one another to increase the quality of learning that we achieve.
My greatest reward as a teacher is seeing that light go off in a student's mind, and seeing that fire start inside that says, "I can do it!".
First graders can't WAIT to pass this information on to the next, and creating a culture where they are encouraged to do so is perhaps my greatest and most important challenge.
My Project
A few years ago, the teaching and learning environment in my room greatly improved when I requested tables instead of the 50 year old desks my room was furnished with. Of course, the tables I received were 6 cast-offs from around the district, mismatched not just with one another, but really for my students.
Too big and too bulky, these tables occupy the vast majority of my classroom floor with enough wasted space in the center of the tables that my first graders have a hard time reaching to share supplies.
When we take our (frequent) wiggle & dance breaks, there is limited space for us to move freely and not run over one another. It's time for some furniture that fits our size and fits our needs!
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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. Ault and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.