Young learners need many opportunities to make, design and create things, using a wide variety of materials, shapes, forms, colors, etc. Children who make things have something to write about, discuss and share, even if their English is limited and their school experiences few.
I teach twenty-four children in a Title I school.
Over half are on the federal breakfast/lunch program. One-third come from homes which speak a language other than English. Many have limited preschool experiences. They are darling small persons, but a number of them have had very limited opportunities to cut, paste, play with a variety of sensory materials. etc. Some of them do not know how to draw pictures or color successfully. Therefore, I need to provide experiences which engage them in a variety of craft and design projects. Unfortunately, as many of you may know, California schools like mine do not have money for extras like this. In addition, the families of my school's children do not themselves have many resources. Most are working two jobs just to stay afloat.
My Project
These Instant Craft Kits, which I have worked with before, are terrific. Once they have done one with an adult, they can manage them on their own and they love the exciting 'stuff' Lakeshore packs into these boxes. In fact, there is so much that we can use all the left overs for other collage projects and paint designs. In learning terms, there is another important component - language development. Children who do not speak English come into class silently. They are often afraid, because they do not understand what is being said or asked of them. With learning opportunities like this, working in small groups with students who speak English, they more rapidly develop an English vocabulary, as well as being able to engage in projects on an equal footing with others in the class. This makes a huge difference in learning and comfort terms.
Good art and craft materials should not be an extra for young learners.
They should be an integral part of the Kindergarten experience. Children who can work with scissors, glue, shapes, forms, etc., can then work with pencils, erasers, crayons, etc. Children who talk about the dinosaur they are covering or the picture they are designing, can later talk and write about their activities and experiences. Please consider these materials for my students! We would learn so much and have so much fun.
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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. Tyler-Parker and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.