Past projects 12
Ticket to Ride: a Board Game That Builds Map Skills!
Funded Aug 6, 2024I am over the moon that this project is fully funded, so the games can arrive by the first week of school! I plan on using the games to help the students review and internalize North American geography.
And hey, if you haven't played Ticket to Ride, check it out! It's fun for kids and
adults alike!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Large
New Job, New Novel! Enhancing the 8th Grade Curriculum
Funded Jul 27, 2024On behalf of my soon-to-be students, thank you so much for funding a new novel. When I started teaching, the Internet was barely a thing, and students certainly were not reading e-books. I have come to see great value in electronic books—I even did a project once where every kiddo had a Kindle—and yet, there is a special place in the classroom and in the heart for print.
The smell of new pages, the way the spine needs to be broken in, the font chosen by the book designer, the ability to put a bookmark in a page . . . all of it creates an experience that is tactile, intellectual, and emotional.
Thank you for offering an experience to the Lipman class of 2025.
With love,
Kathleen Large”
With gratitude,
Ms. Large
Graphic Novels for 6th Graders
Funded Aug 9, 2022My students absolutely devoured the graphic novels, especially my English Language Learners. ELL students need to pictures to truly understand the context of what the novel is about. Additionally, many of my students are below grade level, so graphic novels help them immensely!
At a Title I school where a majority of students' families are socio-economically disadvantaged, it is super important to provide resources in the classroom. My students checked out the books to take home and read, as well as reading them in class.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Large
This classroom project was brought to life by Bill Gates and 2 other donors.New Books for a New School Year!
Funded Nov 20, 2019This project was actually funded before the pandemic. It feels like ages ago.
This grant allowed me to provide print books to low-income students, many of whom were able to take the books home during the pandemic, so they would have something besides digital media. Although the world is certainly grateful for the Internet, there is nothing quite like curling up on a sofa with a print book. My students told me that they enjoyed reading "actual" books after a eye-tiring day of Zoom school.
These students are now starting high school.
Undoubtably, you have made a lasting impact.
Thank you so very much.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Large
High-Interest Books for 7th Graders!
Funded Dec 12, 2018Thank you so much for helping get books into the hands of 7th graders!
My students read so much this year, in part thanks to you! Some kids read up to 30 books!
What we know about fostering life-long reading habits is that kids need to be exposed to books they like and can related to! After all, no one wants to read a book they don't like. Thank you for providing high-interest titles for our classroom. Some of my students favorites were series such as Percy Jackson, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and The Dork Diaries.
Over the school year, my students, on average, gained two grade levels in their reading. Thank you for helping with this effort!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Large
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose.org Community and 10 other donors.Two Cozy Classroom Rugs for Reading
Funded Aug 13, 2018I will let the students do the talking:
"Thank you for donating to Parkway Heights Middle School. I love our carpets in Ms. Large's room. They look really nice. I love the one that has a big tree with different colors."
"Thank you for the carpets! I love how comfortable, soft, and colorful they are. I enjoy sitting on them and reading a book or doing work. Thank you again for your generosity."
"Dear Generous Donor, Thank you for helping us create a good spot to read!"
"Thank you so much for donating towards very nice carpets for our classroom. We enjoy reading on our comfy rugs. The rugs make the classroom seem relaxing and enjoyable."
Students sit in chairs most of the day. How nice it is for them to be able to stretch out or cozy up in an inviting reading nook on attractive carpets, that feel homey rather than institutional. Whether the student is a squirmy kid who needs a break from a chair and desk or an introvert who needs his own space for a few moments, the carpets give us more options and make the room feel inviting. I have long felt that the aesthetics of a classroom are important for student learning. A colorful, attractive classroom makes students feel cared for and invites them to care about the space and themselves.
Thank you, truly.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Large
Help 7th Graders Fall in Love with Reading
Funded Aug 5, 2018I will start with the words of one of my seventh grade students, Alex: "Thank you for donating money for our classroom series of "Cinder" books. I have enjoyed reading the whole series, and wouldn't have read the series if it weren't for you!"
Your donations allowed me to purchase books that hooked my students on day one. Many of them are now on their third or fourth book this year. We start each class with silent reading, and each student has found a book that she or he genuinely likes, thanks to you. With your support, I have been able to push the higher level readers as well as engage struggling readers.
An attractive classroom library with high-interest books is powerful. Time and time again, I have seen reluctant readers go to the bookshelf and find something they love. Yes, they could have gone to the local library, or the school library, but there is something powerful about having the books RIGHT THERE and getting them into the hands of students RIGHT THEN AND THERE. There is no excuse for not reading!
It truly warms my heart to see each and every one of my students cozy up with a good book, each day. Thank you for making that possible. Reading still matters, it seems.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Large
"The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" Class Set!
Funded Aug 3, 2014Dear Friends, Colleagues, Supporters, and Anonymous Donors,
Thank you so much for providing copies of Sherman Alexie's "Diary of a Part Time Indian." This was the first time that I have taught this book, and it was an amazing addition to the eleventh-grade curriculum. The students found that they could relate to the book; at the same time, the book pushed their thinking about issues of difference, cultural assimilation, and the legacy of colonization.
Your gift will keep on giving next year, when I teach it again!
Thank you so much for making this unit possible. It truly would not have happened without you.
Best, Kathleen”
With gratitude,
Ms. Large
Teenagers Love to Read!
Funded Nov 14, 2014On behalf of my students, THANK YOU so much for helping us build our classroom library! It means so much to the students that you care! Having new, beautiful print copies of young adult books makes these kids feel seen, valued, and loved.
Many students read five or six books in the fall semester, thanks in large part to your generosity!
We are deeply grateful.
Please enjoy the photos. If you would like to learn more about our reading, visit our classroom Facebook page at "Miss Large's Classroom."
Thank you very much!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Large
Creating A Print-Rich Classroom!
Funded Jun 15, 2014A classroom library in English 11 has transformed several young adults in to avid readers. One young man wrote in a reflection that having books and time to read them in class "pushed me into reading four books completely ["Street Pharm," "Snitch," "Takedown," and "Tyrrell"], and I have literally never finished a book by myself, but you helped me." This young man is now on his fifth book, which is more complex than the prior four. This is a resounding affirmation of the value of a classroom library. Although teaching is done to groups of students, a teacher's impact is one by one. And your impact is felt by individual students such as this young man. Not only has he become a reader, but also, his reading has given him an academic identity.
Thank you, deeply.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Large