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Kindergarten teachers bring back play with 'Wonder Wagon' at Fairfield Union Local board meeting
Summary
Teachers from the district showcased a 'Wonder Wagon' program that uses hands‑on, theme‑based play to reinforce CKLA curriculum in kindergarten classrooms; board members praised the effort and invited in‑class visits.
At the Fairfield Union Local Board of Education meeting, kindergarten teachers presented a 'Wonder Wagon' program designed to restore purposeful play in early elementary classrooms and connect hands‑on materials directly to CKLA unit themes.
"But we know without a doubt that play is what's best for kids," said Mrs. Hahn, a kindergarten teacher, describing how the wagons provide themed bags the students explore to reinforce lessons on the five senses, farming and other units. Teachers said the wagons allow students to 'explore, create, and apply their learning through a purposeful play' and reported increased engagement during pilot sessions.
Presenters said the project is in its infancy: each table receives a bag; students use imagination and structured play between short computer intervals; and wagons will expand as teachers align collections to upcoming CKLA units. The district instructional coach and building staff called it a low‑cost, classroom‑based way to restore developmental playtime while meeting academic expectations.
Board members thanked the teachers and students for the demonstration. "It's nice to have that imagination and then bring back some fun along the instructional side of it," said Mrs. Roberts, the board chair. Board members were invited to visit classrooms to see the wagons in action.
The teachers said the program will grow with teacher input and noted administrators' support; no formal funding request or board action was proposed at the meeting.
