Mornings Matter: Starting the Day Off Right in Kindergarten!
Help me give my students STEM products and other creative materials that will promote open-ended thinking, problem solving, and positive social interactions.
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
Every morning, 26 five and six year olds bustle into my classroom, each of them bringing different experiences, personalities, emotions, and modes of learning with them. When they walk in the door, they do not want to put their belongings in their lockers and sit down and be quiet until it is time to officially start our day. They are ready to start engaging both intellectually and socially.
My school is located in North St.
Louis County in Missouri. The population my school serves is 85% African American and 10% Palestinian. Nearly 50% of our students receive free or reduced price lunch. While many of my students face challenges, when they walk into my classroom they are ready to get down to the business of learning.
I am blessed to teach children while there is still a bit of magic, mystery, and wonder in their world. It makes my job that much more enjoyable as we embark on a journey of discovery and learning together!
My Project
Kindergarten children do their most valuable learning through meaningful play and exploration. Most public schools do not provide the time and resources needed to allow this occur nearly enough. Unfortunately, I cannot do much to change the demands of the curriculum, nor can I tag time on to the school day.
I find myself faced with the challenge of how to create time for my students to engage in meaningful and purposeful "play" that encourages problem solving, creativity, and social engagement.
I have been teaching for 20 years now. While tackling this question, I began to examine my day and ask, where are we wasting valuable time that could be purposed more wisely? Mornings! Traditionally, students come in, put their belongings away, and sit quietly to do "morning work". But, what if students came in and warmed up their brains with problem-solving activities, open-ended materials, and simply being encouraged to talk to one another instead of doing another worksheet?
I tried this new structure, with limited materials, last year. I noticed many changes. Students were more excited to come to school. I had fewer tardy students because they insisted to their parents that they needed to be there on time. I had fewer behavior issues because the students had a chance to warm up at their own pace. Finally, students got more and more creative with the use of the materials as they explored them in multiple ways. They were doing science and math when they first walked in the room without even knowing it!
I have selected materials that will encourage critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, and social interactions. I have also included the necessary storage items needed to organize the materials. Please consider helping me get my kids off to a running start each day!
Tot Tutors WO166 Super-Sized Toy Storage Organizer w/ 16 Bin, Universal, Natural/White
• Amazon Business
$70.99
1
$70.99
FunEdu Deluxe Upgraded 120 PCS 3D Magnet Tiles Building Blocks, Super Strong Magnetic Toy Set, Various Shapes, Wheel Bases, Magnetic Figures, Clear Tiles with Animal Images for Kids Toddlers
• Amazon Business
$61.99
1
$61.99
Learning Resources Create-a-Space Storage Center, Bright Colors
• Amazon Business
$14.77
4
$59.08
Sterilite 14948012 15 quart/14 L Latching Box with Clear Base, White Lid and Colored Latches, 12- Pack
• Amazon Business
$57.49
1
$57.49
edx Education Rainbow Pebbles Activity Set - Sorting and Stacking - Construction - Early Math Activity
• Amazon Business
$37.46
1
$37.46
MONILON 160 Pcs Magnet Building Sticks Kids Toys, Lengthen Magnetic Construction Building Blocks Set 3D Brain Training Learning Educational DIY STEM Toys
• Amazon Business
$32.99
1
$32.99
STEM Toys Kit | Arts and Crafts Building Block Gifts for Boys & Girls Age 3,4,5,6+ Year Old | Educational Construction Fine Motor Skills Toy with Drill | Creative Games and Fun Activity
• Amazon Business
$29.99
1
$29.99
Joqutoys 600 Pieces Wooden Dominoes Set Blocks Racing Game Building and Stacking Toy for Kids
• Amazon Business
EMIDO Building Blocks Kids Educational Toys STEM Toys Building Discs Sets Interlocking Solid Plastic for Preschool Kids Boys and Girls, Safe Material for Kids - 120 pieces with Storage Bag
• Amazon Business
$13.99
2
$27.98
Learning Resources Primary Science Jumbo Magnifiers with Stand, Set of 6 Magnifiers, Ages 3+
• Amazon Business
$26.77
1
$26.77
Creative Kids Flakes – 1400 Piece Interlocking Plastic Disc Set for Safe, Fun, Creative Building – Educational STEM Construction Toy for Boys & Girls - Non Toxic – Ages 3 and Up
• Amazon Business
$24.97
1
$24.97
Learning Resources Gears! Gears! Gears! Deluxe Building Set, Gear Toy, STEM Learning Toy, 100 Pieces, Ages 4+
• Amazon Business
$24.70
1
$24.70
Play-Doh Modeling Compound 36-Pack Case of Colors, Non-Toxic, Assorted Colors, 3-Ounce Cans (Amazon Exclusive)
• Amazon Business
$24.25
1
$24.25
Tosnail 48 Pieces Plastic Drawing Painting Stencil Templates for Kids Crafts - Washable Template for School Projects - Random Colors
• Amazon Business
$13.99
1
$13.99
Learning Resources All About Me Family Counters, Assorted Colors and Shapes, Set of 72, Ages 3+
• Amazon Business
$13.49
1
$13.49
Amberetech Wooden Toys Hundred Board Montessori 1-100 Consecutive Numbers Wooden Educational Game for Kids with Storage Bag,Size 8.268.26inches
• Amazon Business
$12.95
1
$12.95
Learning Resources LER0264 Intermediate Pattern Block Design Cards, for Grades 2-6 [Block Design Cards]
• Amazon Business
$9.90
1
$9.90
PlayMonster Lacing & Tracing - Dinosaurs
• Amazon Business
$7.99
1
$7.99
Learning Advantage Pattern Block Activity Cards - Set of 20 - Early Geometry For Kids - Teach Creativity, Sequencing and Patterning
• Amazon Business
$7.99
1
$7.99
Materials cost
$602.46
Vendor shipping charges
FREE
Sales tax
$0.00
3rd party payment processing fee
$9.04
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$641.50
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$113.21
Total project goal
$754.71
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$754.71
8 Donors
-$750.29
Donations toward project cost
-$641.50
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
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. Tiemann and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
