Past projects 23
Transcendentalist Display Project
Funded Feb 3, 2012Thank you so much for poster art supplies for my classroom. We were just finishing our unit on the Transcendentalists when the wonderful shipment arrived. You can see one of my students standing by a poster. We have plenty of leftover materials for the rest of the year.
Currently we are studying The Great Gatsby. When we are done we will be writing a compare and contrast essay about two characters and their respective social classes and personal values. We will examine how these differences impact their conceptions of the American Dream. You can see we have a poster of Gatsby's mansion hanging next to a poster of The Valley of Ashes where our poorer characters reside. Some kids are visual learners and they really understand things better though pictures. We will be populating the Gatsby mansion with attendees of one of his grand parties.
It means so much to us that we can have the flexibility to learn and teach in different styles to meet all kinds of learning needs. Thank you SO MUCH for your generosity. My kids think it's amazing that strangers care about them and their education; they are touched by it.
Thank you so much.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Richman
Composition Books for Personal Journal Writing
Funded Dec 22, 2011I want to let you know how important the journals you gave to my students have been. There have been a few students who keep it light and breezy, and it's simply a way for them to improve their writing fluency; that's fantastic.
But I have also been privy to the inner lives of many children who really need adult help. Several children have told me about past abuse, two children have admitted to cutting themselves, two children have told me about current violence in the home, one was contemplating suicide, and more than I can count have simply told about the stresses of their life; poverty, relationship problems, unrequited love, discouragement, depression. Fortunately my school has mental health resources and I am able to get professional help for the children who need it.
I can honestly say that your gift of journals has probably already saved one life, and improved many more. What an incredible impact it has made on my kids to be able to share their troubles and questions with a trusted adult.
Thank you so much, from me and my students.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Richman
We Need New Copies of "The Crucible" in Our Classroom!
Funded Oct 2, 2011deficitsdecrepitdeficitsdecrepitI am writing to thank you for your gift of a classroom set of "The Crucible." When they arrived all shiny and new, one of the girls said, "I don't even want to open it, it's so beautiful." We had been reading a mismatched set of ragged, taped together books. Our school building is very old and it can look pretty decrepid. Because the school district is facing huge defecits there is a spending freeze. It's depressing for kids to go to a less than appealing structure daily, and then to be handed books that are falling apart. It makes them feel they aren't worth much.
When I explained to them about "Donors Choose" and how strangers and friends gave us our lovely new books, they were astonished. It touched them that someone out there cared that they should have nice books to read. I could literally see their backs straighten with pride. It also saved us much time, as we no longer have to coordinate what page we're on in several different editions of the play.
I read "The Crucible" most years with my 11th graders, and for the next few years they will have a nearly brand new edition, thanks to you. I wish you could hear them act out the play, or respond to Abby's evil-doings with horror, or wonder at John Proctor's choice to go to his grave rather than sully his honor by lying to dogs. "I think I would do that too," several students said.
Thank you for such a meaningful gift. ”
With gratitude,
Ms. Richman
This classroom project was brought to life by CenturyLink and 7 other donors.