I am a Teach for America alumna teaching at a Title I school in southwest Houston, Texas. I teach Kindergarten in an English as a Second Language setting, with twenty-two 5-6 year olds in my class and 10 languages represented. As we grow as a community, we deeply care about each other, their dreams, and curiosities.
Maria Montessori said, "The senses, being explorers of the world, open the way to knowledge."
My students are intensely curious at a young age about why frogs jump, how colors change in light, why the leaves fall off the tree, and why their stack of rocks always falls down. Within their deep, insightful questions lies the beginning of learning.
Each and every day as I listen and work with my students, I see the next archaeologists, engineers, writers, meteorologists, and marine biologists diligently working. Their natural curiosity about the world and how it works inspires me to learn more in order to share more with them. Their desire to know more and drive their learning with the "why" shows me how eager they are to learn through exploring all that is around them.
My Project
This year I am embarking on an exciting adventure of utilizing the Reggio Emilia approach to learning. This approach is focused on students' own curiosity being the driving force of learning within the classroom. Reggio teachers use strategies to expose students through a variety of means to express, communicate, think, analyze, and problem solving what they are seeing to make sense around them that they are taking in from the world. The classroom is constructed to serve as the learning environment for students' interests. In order to expose students to all of their interests and explore their own curiosity, my students need access to a light panel technology and homey feel station set-up.
"The wider ranger of possibilities we offer children, the more intense will be their motivations and the richer their experiences." - Loris Malaguzzi
The light panel will allow students to explore inquiry-based learning that sparks from their own curiosity. The table and wood cushions will provide a homey space that will allow for students to explore and collaborate together as they examine different natural and man-made materials to explore their deep, thoughtful questions. The paper roll will be used for students to document and write about their learning.
This will provide students with more possibilities to examine their own curiosity in ways that are not possible now in classroom. This will continue to motivate students to keep learning through exploring their own interest and continually learning from questioning.
TickiT Ultra Bright LED Light Panel - Adjustable Brightness - Sensory, Color and Shape Exploration on a Light Box
• Amazon Business
$107.37
1
$107.37
Melissa & Doug Solid Wood Table & Chairs (Kids Furniture, Sturdy Wooden Furniture, 3-Piece Set, 20” H x 23.5” W x 20.5” L)
• Amazon Business
$94.99
1
$94.99
BQLZR Brown Wood Tree Round Soft Plush Chair Seat Cushion Decorative Throw Pillow Tree Ring Back Cushion
• Amazon Business
$14.25
3
$42.75
Learning Resources View-Thru Geometric Solids, 14 Pieces
• Amazon Business
$18.99
1
$18.99
Melissa & Doug Wooden Tabletop Paper Roll Dispenser, Arts & Crafts, Child-Safe Tear Strip, Premium-Weight White Bond Paper, Fits 12” Easel Paper Roll, 4" H x 13.5" W x 4.375" L
• Amazon Business
$14.44
1
$14.44
Melissa & Doug 12” Easel Paper Rolls, Arts & Crafts, Bond Paper, 75-Foot Rolls, 2-Pack
• Amazon Business
$9.99
1
$9.99
Learning Resources Transparent Color Counting Chips, Set of 250 Assorted Colored Chips, Ages 5+
• Amazon Business
$5.89
1
$5.89
Materials cost
$294.42
Vendor shipping charges
FREE
Sales tax
$0.00
3rd party payment processing fee
$4.42
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$328.84
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$58.03
Total project goal
$386.87
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$386.87
4 Donors
-$386.87
Donations toward project cost
-$328.84
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. Tredway and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
