Past projects 6
Engaging Tools for Mathematical Practice
Funded Jan 27, 2016My students were very excited when our materials started to arrive. They came in bits and pieces, and each day they arrived, the students grew more excited to see what would show up next! We added the number line pocket chart to our morning classroom calendar time and students have been practicing using their number line strategies to solve addition and subtraction problems. They were most excited about the new white boards. Our old ones were big and clunky and hard to manage during carpet time. Then new ones are the perfect for their little bodies. The clipboards have also helped them stay focused as they write reading responses during carpet time.
The iPad holder has helped to keep our iPads plugged in and charged, which is important because we use them daily! The students also appreciate having the visual timer during our center time so that they can keep track up how much time they have to complete their work.
Many of the materials that were purchase due to your donations have made the last months of school run much more smoothly here in Room 6!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Kaplan
Headphones for Independent Practice
Funded Oct 16, 2015Thank you so much for donating to this project! This year, I have a classroom of both first and second graders who are expected to do a lot of independent work as I teach the other grade level. In my district, we luckily have access to a lot of online resources such as Raz-Kids, which is a reading practice website, and IXL, which is a math practice website. Both of these websites are set up to read instructions aloud to beginning level readers. With these headphones, the noise level in the classroom is kept at a minimum while students are able to keep engage with both math and reading practice. The students love using these headphones!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Kaplan
Getting Organized So We Can Just Learn!
Funded Mar 10, 2015The day our chair pockets and table top supply kits arrived, my students were ecstatic. They were so happy to get rid of their messy pencil boxes and reorganize their folders from cramped cubbies into readily accessible pockets on their chairs.
Our transitions have been much improved and the students spend less time waiting in line to put folders away in their cubbies. They are less distracted by unnecessary movement around the room. Their table tops are cleaner with supplies neatly put away in their supply kits. They are able to focus more on their learning and less on cleaning up correctly and quickly.
Less time on transitions and clean-up means more time spent learning! Thank you so much for your generous donations!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Kaplan
Leveled Independent Reading Library
Funded May 24, 2014Thank you so much for your generous donations to my classroom project. For this project, my students received a leveled set of library books for our classroom that may be used during independent reading time. Prior to this, students had to take their best guess at the levels of books and decide if they were "just right" for them. Now, students are knowledgeable about what level they are at and can choose books without needing to make a judgment call that is very difficult for first graders.
The students were very excited when the books arrived and couldn't wait to dive into them. Now, they read them regularly and are excited when it comes time to change the books in their book boxes once a week. As a teacher, I appreciate knowing that students can choose appropriately leveled independent books to read during their independent reading time.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Kaplan
This classroom project was brought to life by 100 Women in Hedge Funds and 3 other donors.Supplies for Successful Learning
Funded Oct 16, 2013The book boxes that we funded in this project were well received by the students. Prior to having the blue tubs to put their books in, students were storing their books in plastic ziploc baggies that continually ripped and took up limited space in their cubbies. Not all books would fit in the baggies, causing our cubbies to be a mess. After receiving the book boxes, students can organized their books, carry them from place to place around the room with ease, and search through their book boxes much more easily as they read.
The book boxes also help me to keep students focused on their reading. Instead of walking back and forth across the room during reading time to continually choose more books, students are able to carry their book box with them and stay in one place during the whole reading time. This allows them to stay focused on reading and practicing their essential reading skills.
Before we received our book boxes, reading time was a nightmare. Now it runs more smoothly than ever!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Kaplan
Comfy Cozy Carpet
Funded Aug 14, 2013Before we received our classroom carpet, behavior management on the rug was hard to handle. Students had trouble picking spots that were appropriate, staying in their spot on the carpet, and they struggled with keeping enough personal space around themselves as they listened to whole group lessons during carpet time. We also did not have a comfy place in the classroom where students could stretch out and read if they wanted to.
The day the carpet arrived, the students were ecstatic. I had already told them that we would be receiving the gift of a very cool carpet from some very awesome donors, and they looked forward to it with anticipation in the first few weeks of school. When I spread out the carpet during lunchtime the day it arrived, the students came spilling back into the room and cheered with excitement. As I gave them each their "very own spot," they sat in it with joy. They fit perfectly criss-cross in their own square and were careful not to invade the squares of other classmates.
Since receiving the carpet a few weeks ago, problem behaviors during whole group lesson times have drastically decreased. Students are no long picking at each and losing their focus. Transition time has decreased because students know exactly where they need to be sitting and don't waste time try to find an appropriate spot. Students who require a great deal of personal space are happier because they no longer have to fend off classmates who sit too close. The children are also continually choosing to spread out on the carpet during reading time and mention that it is one of their favorite places in the classroom to read.
Overall, this carpet has made a huge difference in my ability to teach without constant stops for behavior reminders, and students' ability to learn without being distracted by nearby classmates.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Kaplan