This is my 26th year of teaching Kindergarten, and for the past 2 years, I have had the opportunity to teach a 4K-5K multi-age class. My students LOVE using technology in our learning activities. They love working in small groups and individually to develop skills and enjoy challenging themselves to learn new things.
Many of the students I work with come from low-income families, where technology may not be easily attained.
Because of the disadvantage this places on my students, I feel it is very important for me to help my young learners experience how to use technology to develop 21st century skills (collaboration, creativity/imagination, critical thinking, and problem solving). I believe this project would be a great way to help my students develop those skills.
Students at this young age learn best through hands-on activities, in which they can interact with materials, collaborate with peers, discuss how the activity relates to real-world situations, and challenge their thinking. My students thrive on small-group, collaborative learning experiences designed to feel like play.
My Project
As stated previously, students at the Kindergarten level learn best through hands-on activities. in which they can interact with materials, collaborate with peers, discuss how the activity relates to real-world situations, and challenge their thinking.
The Osmo kits that I have requested can be used to promote exploration of STEM activities and are differentiated in that they can appeal to the multiple-intelligences and varied learning styles and abilities of my young students.
Through exploration of the multiple activities the Osmo kits would provide, my students could develop STEM skills, such as their problem solving skills, spatial reasoning, critical thinking skills, basic coding skills, and mathematical & literacy skills.
Additionally, students using the Osmo Coding Jam kit materials can develop an understanding of rhythm, melody, and harmony, which may help my students build coding skills in a way that appeals to those that are musically inclined. Research suggests that there is a strong correlation between rhythm and the ability to read, so working with the kit materials may also help my young learners develop their ability to read.
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. Benecke and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
