Past projects 13
Books I Can Read: 86% Poverty 33% ESL Students
Funded Feb 7, 2012The books arrived today! My students were so excited to open the box and see all of the books. Actually, half of my class stayed in for recess today to organize the new books. They wanted to help get the books sorted and labeled for our classroom library as soon as possible.
This whole afternoon, students were seen reading these new books. My students were so excited to see that they are all "chapter books." I was thrilled to hear my students correctly reading the words. One of my students started reading the first book in the Box Car Children series today. After a chapter she came up to me and said, "Ms. L, this book is amazing. I am so excited that we have 8 of them." This was like music to my ears.
I know that my students this year, and for many years to come, will enjoy all of these easy to read chapter books! Thank you so much.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Luria
** Strong Smart Girls Read Non-Fiction ** High Poverty, ESL
Funded Sep 8, 2011Thank you for your generous support of my classroom. I can not tell you how popular (and needed) these books are for my students. The students are not only enjoying reading, at the same time they are learning skills that allow them to help their families, siblings and parents. This year, I have a fair number of girls who have a difficult time with friendships and conflicts. Quite a few of the books deal specifically with these issues.
I wanted to share with you some exciting news about my students. Coming into the year, my students had some very low test scores in reading comprehension. This week, they just finished taking their reading comprehension tests, and many of them have made impressive gains. Thanks for donating books and giving them the opportunity to read great non-fiction.
While the books are geared towards girls, as it has turned out, my whole class is enjoying them. Quite a few boys have read the "Smart Girls Guide to Money" as well as the book on solving problems. So, the books have impacted the whole class in a very positive way! Thank you so much.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Luria
**Blogging Brings Writing to Life - High Poverty, ESL **
Funded Oct 12, 2011Thank you so much for the computer! As you know, the students use this computer every single day we are in school. Some of the time they are working on headsprout, other times they are doing Khan Academy. The computer has made sure that every student gets the instruction they need.
On top of that, we use the computer for the blog. Most weeks the students write a piece and it is published to the blog. The students have already written and published over 140 stories this school year! They love getting feedback on their writing and have become more confident writers. Thank you so much for everything!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Luria
Hands on Science Camp - High poverty, ESL
Funded Feb 1, 2011Thank you so much for making it possible for my students to go to the OMSI camp. For so many of my students, this was the first time they had ever been away from their home. This was not only a wonderful science experience, but also a growing experience. The students took nature and bird hikes, they learned survival skills, they used microscopes to find animals in pond water. The students had camp fires and led skits about ecology and helping the planet.
When my partner teacher suggested that we go to this camp, I thought that there was no way. It cost $145 per family, and my students come from impoverished families. We had to raise over $15,000 to attend the camp! Your support was the last bit we needed for all of our students to attend. Every single child who had permission was able to attend the camp!
I know my students will never forget this experience.
Thank you! (I also want to apologize that this letter is a day late. I just gave birth to a baby girl and so am a bit busy.)”
With gratitude,
Ms. Luria
Hands-On Science = Learning *** ESL, High-Poverty
Funded Mar 1, 2011The students love these science kits! As I said earlier, they have been so popular that I have ended up teaching the kits to three different classes. The kits are both hands-on and very instructive. I find that students remember the information they learn and can apply the concepts.
My students are doing much better in science this year. Most students say that science is their favorite time of the day. Last year only 20% of my class passed the science test, and this year 58% has passed for the whole 5th grade.
I can't wait to use these kits again with my students next year. I think they have made me a better science teacher.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Luria
This classroom project was brought to life by The Horace Mann Companies and 9 other donors.Read, Read, Laugh, Laugh: High Poverty, ESL
Funded Feb 15, 2011Thank you so much for all of the books. The students are especially enjoying the Joe Pigza books. Not only have we read the book out loud in my classroom, but another teacher borrowed the book to read it out loud as well.
Because we have multiple copies, students follow along in the book as it is read out loud. This builds up the confidence of some of my weaker students, who then reread the books to themselves. The students are hooked on the series, and so excited that they have many other titles by that same author.
Also, the students love the Clementine books. They find them funny and just at their reading level. It is wonderful to see students who have struggled with reading laughing while reading these books. So many students have requested to take the books home so they can finish and start the next book in the series! One of the students who enjoys the Clementine books passed his state test in reading for the first time ever this year!
Getting the students hooked on reading has made such a big difference!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Luria
This classroom project was brought to life by The Horace Mann Companies and 3 other donors.The Magic of Reading: High Poverty, ESL
Funded Jan 23, 2011Thank you so much for all of the donated books. The books arrive to my classroom today. I had many students ask to stay in at lunch and skip recess so they could organize them and put them into the class library. (All of the books get sorted into categories and receive a sticky note which tells students where they belong in the library.) Why did they want them in the library today? So they could check them out today!
Every single book has multiple students who want to read it right now! All of the authors were those that the students had read before in class, during guided literature time. The students are thrilled to have these books in the library, and I know that they are going to be in high demand for the rest of the year! ”
With gratitude,
Ms. Luria
Hands on Science - High poverty, ESL
Funded Sep 13, 2010Thank you for the books, science comprehension center and science kits. The books on the food web are so popular, that kids have to sign up to get a turn to read them. Every single day, during reading time, I see students reading those books. I even have students who have written me notes to get permission to take the books home for a few days!
The science comprehension center is very fun. It helps students build both science knowledge and reading skills at the same time. They really enjoy the center.
The science kits are very hands on. I anticipated that I would use the kits with just my classroom, but I am actually going to be teaching one of the kits to the entire 5th grade later this year. Every class is going to rotate through my classroom, so they can all do the experiments!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Luria
The Magic of Reading: Books for My High Poverty, ESL Class
Funded Jul 23, 2010The students really enjoy these books. Almost every single student has read a Magic Tree House book this year, and a few of my students have read almost every single book in the series. My goal was to get students hooked on reading, and quite a few students have become hooked on The Magic Tree House books.
Another set of books that students really enjoy are all of the titles from Roald Dahl. I read James and the Giant Peach out loud to my students at the beginning of the year. After hearing that book, many students wanted to read more stories by the same author. One group of students even read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Luria
Science Kits of Learning and Fun, High Poverty
Funded May 23, 2010Thank you so much for the science kits. The students really enjoy learning science through the hands on activities. Each kit has an activity guide, hands on materials, flash cards and posters.
The electricity tub is one of the most interesting kits for the students. They love learning how to make circuits, use switches to open and close circuits and find different ways of lighting up bulbs.
On top of the hands on activities, the flashcards are wonderful in all of the kits. I made up a fun game that the students can play to study the flashcards. They work on memorizing four words at a time with a partner and then earn points by memorizing words and learning concepts.
The students will enjoy using these kits for many years to come.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Luria