Our district offers full day kindergarten. This means that there is time for my students to play. "Play is often talked about, as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood."
My class is full of eager, curious learners.
They are full of energy and wonder.
One of my students’ favorite time of the day is centers. This is a time where my students are given the freedom to choose how they will spend their time. We call this time 'Plan, Do, Review.' First, students create a plan in their mind: What center will they choose and what will they do at that center. Then, students go 'do' that plan at the center. After, students reflect on how their plan went: Did it change, and how so?
The school I teach at is a Title I school, with more than half our students on free or reduced price lunch. Regardless of the type of school I'm at, I think it's important for all students to have this type of play opportunity in kindergarten. It teaches students how to take control their learning.
My Project
My students absolutely love center time. This is when they get to take what they have learned and truly put it to work. They are doing so much more than just playing. They are exploring and growing by leaps and bounds.
The stand will make my marble center more accessible to my students.
Currently, I have an old whiteboard propped up as the marble center. I have some magnetic tracks that stick but not very well to my old whiteboard. This stand would be such a vast improvement and children will better be able to use this engaging STEM center.
I also have some various Legos out at my building center. This is a very popular center. I currently do not have enough Legos for all of my students to create and build all of their wonderful ideas and inventions. My students and I would truly appreciate donations to help improve our center time.
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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. Vowels and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.