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A+ project descriptions

These are excerpts of essays that were all given an A+ by our screening team for their clarity and engaging tone.

Teacher Adu's project

My students must keep up with the latest advancements in education to spark an interest in reading. Education is changing every single day, and so are the interest of my students. Students in my classroom like to read about superheroes and villains. My school media center doesn?t have a large collection of books, so I would like to have books will hold their interests and keep them reading in my classroom.

Struggling readers will often pick up a comic book because the pictures and visuals are less intimidating than a typical book. Students who read these graphic novels find reading fun and begin to read more for enjoyment! Helping students begin to learn that reading is fun is perfect way to build better readers. Comic books are a gateway to better reading skills for reluctant readers. My students will love getting their hands on comic books.

This teacher tells us their students' interests and what motivates their students. We learn how these specific materials are uniquely suited to motivate the students based on their interests.

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Mrs. Unger's project

The materials and supplies that I am requesting for my students already have a "home." In other words, I know exactly where everything will go. We just need your help in getting everything through our door! The large carpet will be placed in the front of the classroom and used as a gathering place during mini-lessons and share time. The paper, staplers, markers, and other supplies of the sort will be used by the students, so that they may create books. The organizational baskets, crates, and cups will be placed on the shelves in the back of our classroom and will help the Writer's Workshop process run smoothly from day to day. The timer will be used so that my students know how much work time they have left, as it is not good practice to cut off students without warning. The chart paper will be used to create anchor charts that reflect the discussions we have during our mini-lessons. The clipboards and lap desks will be offered to students, so they may work where they are comfortable.

The donations to this project will help to improve my students' understanding of and competency in authentic, meaningful writing. By implementing the Writer's Workshop model, my students will begin to see themselves as true authors and illustrators. We will use these materials to aide us in the process of becoming life-long writers. As the teacher, I have done extensive research and reading on Writer's Workshop in the primary grades. Yet I truly need your support to make this a reality. Thanks!

Mrs. Unger needs a number of classroom basics to create her Writer's Workshop, and she explains how each one relates to lesson plan.

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Mrs. Jenks' project

The use of whiteboards is almost a daily activity in my classroom, especially in math. Using the workshop model in math, students come to the rug with whiteboards for guided practice and to record modeled strategies. The whiteboards allow me to see exactly what they are doing, as well as provide an easy place for them to show and share their work. What becomes a problem is the fact that the markers never seem to last, erasers seem to disappear, and the whiteboards slowly become stained from frequent use. When something goes awry, students know that they must leave the rug quietly to get a new marker, new eraser, or the last choice, pencil and paper. Even though they are great about doing this, it is distracting for many of my students who have focusing issues and they miss important instruction form either myself or other students. By having LCD tablets, students will be able to avoid all of these problems and focus on increasing their learning!

By donating to our project, you will not only help to improve and increase student attention and focus, you will ultimately help to increase their academic achievement. Students will be able to simply focus on the academic material at hand, and not whether their materials are going to work or not. Plus in this technology literate world, any interaction with updated technology will increase their literacy as well as their desire to learn and use the new technology!

This essay gives a clear description of the materials requested and how they'll help create a focused learning environment for the students.

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Mrs. McCoy's project

All of our students want to learn to play the drums at least once in their lives. Our classes can only have one or two playing the drums at a time right now because of the noise level. In class the electronic drums will provide the opportunity for the kids to play in the classroom comfortably, many at a time. This helps them with the basic idea of steady beat in the songs and it also helps to build the self-esteem that they need. Headphones are great for the kids because they can practice on their own, get comfortable and then plug into the system to play with the other musicians. As they progress, they will be able to do team and independent work to build musicianship and to be able to practice socialization. We will be able to take these with us when we travel and plug them into the sound system to perform and record, controlling the levels completely. The drum sets will play many roles in the program for the students. First and foremost, it will give all students a chance to play drums in class without sensory overload. They can control the volume while they play, use headphones to block out other noises, and continue to practice without the other distractions. This will enhance the environment not only in the classroom, but on the concert stage as well.

The drum sets will play many roles in the program for the students. The first and foremost is to give all students a chance to play drums in class without sensory overload. They can control the volume while they play, use headphones to block out other noises and continue to practice without the other distractions. This will enhance the environment not only in the classroom but on the concert stage as well.

Mrs. McCoy starts off with what her students want to learn and goes on to explain how the materials she's requesting will help them. She also explains specific skills the students will gain like teamwork, socialization, and musicianship.

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Mrs. Tully's project

These books will continue to enhance the print-rich classroom that I strive to create. My classroom library is a place that my students really enjoy-I read on the carpet to them, they complete work there, and they read independently! Every student book that is placed in my library is treated with love and care, and they are thankful for the opportunities to read. All of these books have been chosen with my students in mind-I have watched them the past few weeks of school read titles just like these, and I have also asked them what type of books they would enjoy reading. Students will be able to choose books, which will help them continue to enjoy independent reading time.

With these new books, my students will be able to choose from a variety of books that will allow them to read independently at their own grade level. They will also be able to choose books that interest them. The best way to increase reading ability is to read more, and these books will continue to help my students grow stronger in reading. My students already have shown an astonishing interest in independent reading, and this project will only help enrich their experiences with the printed word.

Mrs. Tully talks about the love and care that her students give to the books they receive and how excited they are to read. She explains how the books will help to nurture interests her students already have.

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Ms. Quaranta's project

Flexible seating allows students to take charge of their learning and make the choices that work best for them. During independent work times they choose a location in the classroom that works for them. Currently my students are choosing to work in a variety of locations in our room such as: at different tables, sitting under tables with clip boards, or sitting or laying on the floor with a clip board. Making sure students are comfortable is an essential component in motivating them. I have noticed amazing differences in my students when they are given a choice in their seating. They almost always make good choices about where they sit, are more engaged, and get more work completed than when they are just sitting at their desk.

My students are noticeably more engaged in their work and less disruptive of their peers when they are given a choice of where to work. The products that I have selected will help my students by giving them additional seating options to make more effective learning choices. The wobble stools are adjustable and will allow students to sit at desk/higher tables but will still allow some movement. These will be extremely beneficial for some students that just need to get the wiggles out. They can also be used as an alternative chair if needed! The comfy floor seats and the beanbag chair will allow for additional comfortable floor seating options. They are lightweight and can be easily used in many areas of the classroom.

I have seen how choice can positively affect my students work and demeanor and hope that the additional options will help us grow even more!

Ms. Quaranta describes the materials and directly points out how these materials would have a positive impact on her students by further motivating them. Readers get a visual of how her students would engage with the materials.

Use these as inspiration, but let your voice come through!

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Create Your Project

A+ project descriptions

Teacher Adu's project

Mrs. Unger's project

Mrs. Jenks' project

Mrs. McCoy's project

Mrs. Tully's project

Ms. Quaranta's project

Use these as inspiration, but let your voice come through!

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season!
Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.