FKDAR members donate requested school supplies to Community Classroom teacher Pam Caputo of Key Largo School.

Daughters of the American Revolution help a STEAM teacher with needed supplies

The Florida Keys Daughters of the American Revolutions chapter adopts a classroom each year. In 2021-2022,  Pam Caputo, a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) teacher at Key Largo Elementary School was selected to receive specialized supplies for her classroom. 

Teaching kindergarten through fifth graders, Caputo encourages the students to take thoughtful risks, engage in experimental learning and solve problems. She also enables them to be involved in peer collaboration and get comfortable with creative thinking. 

The Florida Keys DAR members purchased and collected items to enhance STEAM curriculum such as Legos, magnetic building sets, tape, pipe cleaners, wooden sticks, pompoms, egg cartons, tin cans, water bottles and art supplies.

Caputo said she wants her students to try new things, experiment, discover and investigate. Her class encouraged students to use their minds and imagination. “I want students to be able to use any given material and create. I want them to get curious and to inspire them to use their own abilities to problem solve,” she said. “I feel students do not imagine enough; everything is already pre-made for them. Therefore, using reusable materials that have a variety of uses like Legos and magnetic building sets are essential so creations can be built up and then taken down for the next creative mind. We also use non-reusable items, such as paper tubes, pool noodles and more.”

In 2020-2021, DAR’s Community Classroom teacher was Alyssa Adrian of Treasure Village Montessori. Adrian spoke highly of the contribution’s impact. “I want to tell you about the most amazing third-grade girl at our school. She is a girl who melts everyone’s heart… [FKDAR’s contributions helped her] to communicate her needs, wants, feels and enhance overall learning. With these contributed items, her engagement with her classmates and teachers increased tremendously.” 

DAR members were proud to help nonverbal students communicate, said Karen Kovarik, FKDAR registrar. 

Teachers who would like their classroom considered for 2022-2023 should inquire at [email protected].”

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