Past projects 3
Creating With Makey Makey and Scratch
Funded Oct 4, 2016Thank you so much for your generosity in supporting our project. My students and I are very grateful for your kindness. Your donations to my project, Creating with Makey Makey and Scratch, have allowed students a venue to learn through their own curiosity.
So far, students have investigated the Makey Makey kits and other materials. Their research began on Makey Makey's website. My explorers have combed through the classroom (including their own lunch boxes) and learned by means of this research that some materials conduct electricity while others do not. Several students have also begun more self-initiated research on the web and have started planning future projects.
These supplies have been very useful in building the students' intrinsic desire to learn, problem solve, and persevere. I look forward to seeing what they come up with next. The photos I uploaded show students in the midst of their exploration.
Thank you again for your support of my project and for your continued support of STEM learning.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Schoonover
Makerspace and Alternative Seating
Funded Oct 6, 2015Your donations to my Maker Space and Alternative Seating project have benefited my students in several ways. I cannot express how excited students were when we first received our supplies. I was bombarded with questions about how we were going to use the supplies and students wanting to test out the new chairs.
I believe students are so empowered by being able to choose a seat that is comfortable and helps them to focus their attention on their work. The wobble chairs have provided yet another alternative seating option that enables this choice.
Our Maker supplies have been very useful for demonstrating student learning including STEM challenges. The photos I uploaded show students using the supplies for a catapult design challenge. Adding this to our classroom has increased student engagement.
Next, I plan to incorporate a Maker time on a weekly basis. This will be a free choice time where students are able to tinker, make, and invent things outside of curriculum constraints. I am excited to continue to grow my Maker Space and incorporate it more into my teaching and my classroom design.
Thank you again for your support of my project.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Schoonover
Alternative Seating for the Collaborative Classroom
Funded Aug 22, 2015Your donations to my Alternative Seating for the Collaborative Classroom project have benefited my students in several ways. First, students are able to choose a seat that is comfortable and helps them to focus their attention on their work. Second, being able to choose their seat each day has increased both their sense of ownership of their learning and their overall personal responsibility. Both of these characteristics stem from their ability to make choices about their learning. Third, sitting on the ball chairs has the health benefit of building posture. Sitting on a ball chair builds core strength as it constantly engages abdominal muscles.
Since receiving the ball chairs and incorporating independent seating (Students choose where they sit and what they sit on each day.) the general ambience of our classroom seems to have become even more positive than it already was. The students get most excited about being able to wiggle while they sit. I have heard many comments such as, "bouncing helps me think," and "I feel wiggly today." Students are happy to work and their off-task conversations and behaviors have decreased.
I feel that the greatest benefit of this project is that Runtz Ball Chairs added a safe seating option for students that need to move while they work. They are safe because they have a stable base and the inner exercise ball allows plenty of opportunity to wiggle and bounce.
Thank you again for your support of my project.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Schoonover