Do you remember what your kindergarten classroom looked like? Was there a special place for everyone to sit and learn together as a class? My students are entering school for the first time, and they need that special spot of their own; that spot that makes them feel like part of the family!
My students are a diverse group of children attending an urban charter school in very low-income area.
93% of the students at my school are in the free and reduced lunch program. Many of my students do not come from the best situations at home, and they look forward to going to school each and every day.
I teach kindergarten, so many of my students have never been in a school setting before. When they enter kindergarten they are shy and nervous. It's important to me that they feel safe and comfortable in the classroom.
One way to help them feel welcome is to make sure the all have their own space. When I call my students to the floor for circle time, they need to know exactly where to go. If they don't have that special spot, chaos ensues. Without a specific place to sit the students begin to argue about who is sitting where. They are concerned about where they are sitting and who they are sitting by, and that takes the focus away from what they should be learning.
My Project
One of the reasons I am requesting this classroom rug is so that my students have a specific spot to go to each and every day. It is important because if they are less focused on where to sit and who to sit by, they can focus more on learning!
This rug is so colorful and inviting! I know when the students enter my room and see it, they will be excited to learn. I love that this rug can also be used for other purposes. The letters and pictures around the edge will be great for games, review, and literacy centers!
I am also requesting this rug so that my students have something clean to sit on. About three years the window in my classroom broke and flooded my classroom (for the second time). The floor of my classroom was under standing water for a couple days. They dried out my room and got rid of the water, but the floor was never thoroughly cleaned. I don't like that my students have to sit on this carpet that, in my opinion, is probably not the cleanest!
Overall, this "Fun with Phonics" rug would be a great addition to our classroom.
It will help my students stay focused during group time, allow them to sit on a safe and clean surface, and it's pleasing to the eye! This rug will allow my students to feel even more comfortable in our classroom, which is something they really need!
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. Adams and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.