This project is part of the Black History Month celebration because it supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of the students are Black.
My Students
Skyscrapers, bridges, homes, these are things that my friends in my classroom like to build, but they are limited in what they can construct because of materials. Their imaginations are endless with ideas they want to create, however they are in desperate need of building materials.
My friends are in preschool between the ages of 3-5.
They are in a Preschool for All program, which has two half day classes with 20 students in each classroom. 80.7% of the class is low income and qualify for free and reduced price lunch. We are in the 3rd largest school district. My friends learn through their play. They show their curiosity by asking a lot of questions to understand the world around them. They also try different investigations to test their theories of why things happen. They are hands-on learners and they like to create things. With the 50 minutes of play, a majority of my students build with the blocks. They are constructing things that they imagined as well as things that are a part of their everyday lives. They make things from roads, towers, homes, zoos and so much more.
My Project
With these building materials my students will have a larger variety to make different structures, that they could not make before. They will be learning problem solving skills to fix their creations when something doesn't work. I will able to work with my friends by asking them questions about their structures improving on their oral language and their thinking behind their construction. Each of these materials have unique features which will allow my friends to explore not only through while erecting structures but also through investigations because the properties are different. Each block has a different purpose and my friends will be able to explore which blocks to use while building.The Branch and Log blocks show students that trees are a natural resource that create wood allowing us to erect buildings.The Water Blocks allows my friends to explore water and its properties in a container. There are so many uses for all of these blocks from building to investigations; it is endless.
Blocks work on small and large motor skills because they are manipulating, lifting, reaching and building with the different materials.
These materials provide my friends to use their creativity because there are no limits in what they are constructing. This builds their confidence because they created something on their own. These building materials also enhance students problem solving skills as they are working because they're experimenting with what works and what needs to be changed
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
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. Halvorsen and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.