Past projects 19
Slick Tools for Collaboration
Funded Aug 2, 2023Once again I am humbled and appreciative of the faith you show to me, my students and the work we do together.
These supplies will help facilitate collaboration and productive discussion, and will help students practice analysis, problem solving and critical thinking. Students love getting to talk it out and these strategies encourage that!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Hinton Sainz
This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and one other donor.Help! Books for Reading at Home
Funded Jan 12, 2023Once again, you come through where other funding sources don't!
Throughout our unit on "Hole in My Life," I believe every single book I had on hand was checked out by a student so that they could read the book on their own time and keep up with the reading calendar. Throughout their reading, we paused and discussed ways students can respond to text including literal, inferential and critical responses (based on Ariel Sacks' book "Whole Novels for the Whole Class.) We brainstormed long lists of ways to respond such as "give the character advice" or "show how you relate to their experiences" or "notice the author's word choice."
Students began to realize that responding to text wasn't about proving you understand every word or metaphor, but about going on a journey through a book and showing me their thinking processes. And of course, being aware of their own thinking processes.
This was by far the most engaging unit I taught this year. Partially it's because this book is a wonderful memoir full of humor and a realistic coming-to-terms with youthful decisions that could have worked out much worse for Jack Gantos. However, having sticky notes and extra books motivated students because there were fewer obstacles to them experiencing their own personal reading journey.
I appreciate the donations to this project immensely!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Hinton Sainz
Classroom Jump Start! New Year, New Needs
Funded Sep 20, 2022My students and I are so appreciative of the snacks and supplies provided by your donations.
It has been SO nice to be able to provide all my students with composition notebooks as needed so that everyone has a secure and consistent place to keep classroom notes and other references and activities. This year I have been working with students to develop individual note taking techniques and strategies that work for them. I often create organizers or note taking methods but then offer alternative approaches or let students choose their own format. This year I have seen the most personalization and utilization of the notebooks than ever before, and have gotten to spend more time discussing students' approaches to their own learning as I check notebooks.
As far as the snacks, those were inhaled within just a few weeks of getting them. My 7th period especially relied on them since many of those students have an extra "A" hour and the earlier lunch, making their day seem very long since 7th period.
These essential supplies and comforts have greatly enhanced the feeling tone in my classroom, which supports learning.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Hinton Sainz
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 3 other donors.More Books = More Engagement
Funded Mar 29, 2023Even though my unit is completed this year, these books and sticky notes will allow me to begin the unit next year with sufficient copies for everyone and the ability to dive into our Reading Response format, which was very successful this year.
Thank you for your generosity and support of public schools!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Hinton Sainz
This classroom project was brought to life by Panda Cares and 6 other donors.Nonpermanent Vertical Surfaces & Snacks!
Funded Aug 25, 2022This project had a major impact in my classroom this year!
When Peter Liljedahl came to speak in our district, we learned about instructional strategies that significantly increase student engagement. One of these was using non-permanent vertical surfaces so that students in trios stand at the "board" and work out a thinking problem or task. Having the 3M dry erase film has been fantastic. I have one large board-sized panel in one part of the room, and cut the other into smaller sections to create vertical writing surfaces on my cabinet doors which line one corner and wall of my room. Now, including my previous boards, I have 11 stations, so even my largest class can work in smaller groups on thinking tasks. This strategy engages the majority of students in my classes very well, and allows me to quickly survey student work to make corrections and have important conversations before it is submitted.
My students have been thrilled to have snacks available in class, of course. It is difficult to keep them in stock, but worthwhile, since they help meet the needs of hungry students and create a warm and welcoming learning environment.
Thank you for supporting my students!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Hinton Sainz
Student Tables
Funded Mar 13, 2022Thank you, Arizona ADE and Kathy Hoffman, for contributing to my classroom! Supporting classrooms directly like this ensures that the resources go exactly where they are needed.
The tables in my room have laminate peeling from them, and the school/district have no plans to upgrade my furniture anytime soon. These two additional tables may not seem like much, but they are high-quality, very sturdy, and I can set them at seat height or as a tall desk to be used with stools or standing. Students love to be at the tall table!
Thank you so much for helping make my room a safe and comfortable place to learn!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Hinton Sainz
This classroom project was brought to life by Arizona Department of Education.Fill My Shelves With Books!
Funded May 5, 2022This project has made such a difference to my students and their enthusiasm for reading, which I know will translate to more reading. And more reading is always a good thing! It leads to many positive academic and personal outcomes for students.
This year I committed myself to dedicating time each day to read in class. Each day we begin with silent reading time when students choose what to read. Most students bring books or use library books, but having a classroom library has given them a way to always have something fun to read at their fingertips, even if they forget their book at home. Quarterly reflections tell me that because of the structured choice reading for class, many have made time outside of class to read more, or have found the time to read books they love.
This project has also inspired additional donations of books for my classroom, and I appreciate everyone who contributed!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Hinton Sainz
This classroom project was brought to life by Dollar General Literacy Foundation and 4 other donors.Learning Lounge Part 2
Funded Feb 21, 2022My students were absolutely thrilled to see that the snack supply has been replenished in my classroom! They help themselves, but are always respectful about only taking what they are going to eat in class. Students who miss breakfast can now work undistracted by hunger, and 4th period, who notoriously has a late lunch, can also relax and focus on their work.
In addition, they think the world history timeline is really cool, and have already made reference to it during lessons and assessments.
I truly appreciate your support in making my classroom a supported place to work and learn.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Hinton Sainz
Lounge for Learners
Funded Aug 7, 2021I wanted to update you on our Learning Lounge. The students love it, and it has made a world of difference in warming up my room and providing a relaxed but focused learning environment.
When I combined some other donated items and thrift shop purchases with our new futon, beanbags and floor rockers, I created a little cozy nest in the center of the room. I now have 13 new "alternative seating" spots. I love that I can easily walk around and see students' laptop screens to ensure they are working, and that students can relax and feel comfortable in various positions around the room. There are some people who sit there almost every day, and others that choose it some days, but move to a desk when they need to.
My students have ended up in credit recovery for many reasons, and it has been an extra-exhausting couple of years for them and their families. I like being able to show them that they matter in my classroom, and that they can feel at home here, and not add any further stigma to being behind on credits. They are taking positive steps by coming to my class, and now we have a warm and positive physical environment to reflect that.
Thank you so much for your contributions to this effort!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Hinton Sainz
This classroom project was brought to life by Emerson Collective and 6 other donors.Is This Thing On? (Round 2) Recording EL Voices!
Funded Nov 27, 2019Thank you for your donation so that we could add ten more headsets with microphones to our classroom set.
We have been using the headsets you made possible in many ways in class. Students are using them right now to create presentations for their science project "Playing with Forces." Students will also be doing a project explaining a math problem and solution coming up in a few weeks. In January, students studied a planting calendar by analyzing rows and columns of data, and then explained which plants their group wanted to plant in our school garden based on the data they found.
It is so much easier to incorporate technology when I have enough headsets for everyone. I still don't have a full class set for my larger group of students, but I have enough where it is easy to share and get everyone what they need.
Thanks again. I truly believe that being able to record and hear their own voices speaking confidently in English will build not only their skills, but their self-efficacy. Thanks for believing in what we do!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Hinton Sainz
This classroom project was brought to life by Verizon and 4 other donors.