This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because
it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.
My Students
My 20 students are in a full day Kindergarten classroom. Many of my students come from a low socioeconomic environment , have little or no preschool and lack basic executive functioning skills.
Due to these factors , when they begin school , they're not prepared for our rigorous Kindergarten curriculum.
Incorporating play into their day along with their regular academic instruction will help develop a deep, purposeful & joyful classroom that shows positive gains/growth.
Our district has been under-funded for a long time. Basic supplies like gluesticks, primary pencils, etc. are not guaranteed. We make a list of our top 10 items that are essential for the year in our classroom and we hope for the best. With that being said there is zero money to purchase things that are not consumables to enhance your curriculum.
My Project
In my classroom I provide children opportunities daily to choose which area they'd like to play in and then have them think, plan , and carry out what they will do in that area by writing a play plan first.
The materials I requested in this project will be used in 3 of my 6 choice play areas: Dollhouse Center, Play-Dough Center, and Manipulatives/Game Center.
Research shows connections between cognition and imaginative play, and is developmentally appropriate. By playing with the dollhouse & poseable dolls, my students will practice their social skills, can work through life's issues in a safe place, learn empathy, and utilize creativity when they come up with different scenarios to act out together.
The play dough tools will be added to the few tools I have currently. Using play dough with young children is so beneficial for their fine motor development and is a great stress reliever and can even calm down escalated students. It's a fun way to build strength in their small hand muscles & tendons. The tools will add tactile play ( poke, shred, rake, chop and cut, etc) as well as using science/ math skills in a fun way.
All of these materials have multiple benefits. They will enable my students to play collaboratively with one another, engage in activities that will support their social/emotional development, develop their expressive language and encourage them to take turns while playing and in their conversations with each other.
Nearly all 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
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. Calandra and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
