Help me give my students a better classroom experience through a new library storage bench and durable chair pockets for each student.
FULLY FUNDED! Ms. Zajac's classroom raised $394
This project is fully funded
My Students
I teach full inclusion preschool in Newaygo County, a very rural community in West Michigan. My students are 3-5 years old and over half of my class are special needs students. Several of those students are medically fragile, while others have IEPs for Speech, OT, and/or PT.
My teaching team and I put the health, safety, and mental health of our students first.
We have worked extremely hard over the past year and a half to create the best classroom where health and safety needs are addressed, while still creating a loving learning environment where children can learn, play, and have a safe place in an uncertain world.
In addition, we know how important daily outdoor activity is for the health and development of our students and we strive to go outside for at least an hour each day. Outdoor play and the muscle development that comes with playing actively is especially important for my students with a weak core and motor strength, we know how good being outside is for preventing illness, and the restorative power of being outdoors in green spaces is so important for the mental and physical health of the children and the adult staff.
My Project
Due to Covid, my students will still be using individual materials for small group, writing, and art. The best way to store their items is in chair pockets at their assigned seat. Last year, durable chair pockets were almost impossible to get, so I tried making my own and when those (quickly) failed, I got ones from The Dollar Tree. The Dollar Tree ones had to be replaced 2-3 times each for my students, which was a large out-of-pocket expense for me. This year, Lakeshore has restocked the durable ones, and from others' experience, I know those will last for years without tearing or sagging.
I would like to add a padded storage bench to our classroom book area, as it was extremely sparse last year, with no story-telling props or comfy places to sit.
The bench I've chosen has cubbies where we can store story-telling items, and it has a padded seat where children can sit with staff or one other as they reenact their favorite stories. Story retelling, book enjoyment, concepts of print, and using language are curriculum goals for all my students, but are especially important for my students with IEPs.
More than half of students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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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 Ms. Zajac and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
