My group is a multi-age Transitional Kindergarten/Kindergarten/First Grade class, with a wide range of abilities, strengths, and challenges. My students are diverse in other ways as well: two-thirds of my students speak at least 2 languages, more than half of them qualify as low-income, and they represent many different skin tones.
They need lots of opportunities to engage in imaginative play, and create age-appropriate open-ended art.
They are active and like to experience science in our nearby Open Space. They love to sing together in class every day and share wonderful stories.
And they love to make and play. "Family" interactions at the doll house; construction with the Legos and blocks; dress-up with the costumes. But with a diverse group of students, I need a range of baby dolls, and a painting set-up where they can see their individual skin tones represented.
My Project
My students will love to play with the baby dolls that represent some of our classmates: Hispanic, Asian, and African American. They will also enjoy the easel with different skin-color tempera paints. When we represent children as they are, with toys and with paints, we give the message that we all look different and that's OK. We acknowledge that, which leads to tolerance and acceptance.
Brain science shows that PLAY helps with social, emotional, and motor development, and play also makes the brain bigger, more attuned, and more connected.
Because many of my students are English Learners, play also gives them more opportunities to practice speaking in low-risk situations, which will benefit their academic learning in the future.
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 Ms. Smith and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
