Past projects 13
A Nose for News
Funded Dec 19, 2015The magazines impacted our student's learning by allowing them to learn about current events, topics and ideas in our world. It impacted their vocabulary use, sentence structure, grammar and enhanced their ability to engage in meaningful discussions. These magazines made our students enjoy reading again and it motivated them to learn about cultures, animals, plants, foods, and countries. Also, it helped them to find themselves as a reader by opening their world to a variety of genres such as science and historical nonfiction, fables, myths, plays, poems, and realistic fiction. It taught them unknown words, phrases, and grammar.
Your donation alleviated the stress that I face every year in terms of finding engaging resources that motivates and engages my students. It helped make my life easier and gave me access to resources that were digitally available, skills sheets that focused on main idea, author's craft and vocabulary. This resource was invaluable to me because it helped me to create literacy centers, develop small group instruction, and create whole class instruction that incorporated videos and read alouds. Your donation helped me to see my students smile when they read, express awe at what they learned, and gave them the opportunity to learn from a world that they can dream of and aspire to meet one day. You gave my children access to a better education by providing them with a resource that links them to a world they can one day hope to reach out and touch because you allowed them to dream about it.
These magazines made my students learn about Mars, protecting our Earth and oceans, saving penguins, issues in Africa, bullying, pollution, Abraham Lincoln, Veteran's Day, Nelson Mandela, poaching of rhinos, and many other hot topics. These topics could not be found in kid friendly font, layout, and pictures in any of the other resources we had in the classroom. Reading for my students had distanced them from loving it. However, your donation of these magazines, brought back an interest of reading and a love for words. It helped increase their reading levels, and made them check out books from the library to learn more. This is what reading is all about and I was able to foster a love for reading again because you donated these magazines. The gift of reading is priceless! Thank you for allowing our students to journey through the pages of the magazines to discover a world full of hope and a bright future!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Rahaman-Seuram
It's "TIME" to Fall in Love with Books
Funded Jan 21, 2015The day the resources arrived, I couldn't wait to start using the timers. The students were immediately given their timers and as I handed it to each of them their faces lit up. They walked taller and returned to their seats excited and hopeful with their new learning tool. They immediately set their timers and were motivated to begin their task.
I began using the huge class timer to track student's time on task and to help students understand the concept of time on task as well as start and end time. It helped them to understand elapsed time and it gave them control when completing their tasks. My students used their personal timers to track their independent reading time, create reading goals, and helped them to increase their reading time goals. Students were now eager to read, jot, and set goals that helped them to become fluent and conscious readers. They completed assignments more on time than before and stayed focused longer.
Students who had the ability to use their own timers became better readers and increased their reading exile scores. They were able to comprehend text and use their time efficiently. Also, they were able to reread/revise their assignments if they had time remaining on their timers and this helped them to reflect on themselves as both learners and readers. Last, they learned to manage, organize and prioritize their time on task. The bathroom use and water drinking no longer served as an escape from tasks, but were now being placed on "hold" until tasks were completed. This project boosted my teaching but it allowed me to keep moving my lessons without having to wait for those who lagged behind. I was able to incorporate more hands-on activities because students were now able to focus which helped them to organize their time spent on completing assignments. I waited less and taught more! Thank you for helping my students to become better at time management which helped me to plan for more multi-sensory/critical thinking lessons.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Rahaman-Seuram
Building Bridges Toward Dreams
Funded Sep 17, 2014The students were so thrilled to receive new books that were not torn or tattered. They could not wait to get into the library and check out their books. It was a moment where we were all able to sit back and be so thankful for the vast amount of books we received from donors who just wanted to share the gift of reading with children who do not have access to updated books in their home or at school. Our classroom has been turned into a room of curious readers who are eager to go to the library because they enjoy the colorful and current author books. Those books represents the key that opens the door to a world of possibilities.
These resources are being used to incorporate Common Core Reading and Writing skills while also engaging them into books that are classics such as Charlotte's Web. These books help students to see the world from different perspectives and it helps them to develop language skills where by they increase their vocabulary and comprehension skills. We received these books at a time when the educational funds for our children's future are lacking. We are functioning below poverty level while serving children who are below poverty level. If it weren't for your kindness and generosity, I am not sure we would have been able to provide our children with something as simple as a book yet costly in the eyes of our school budget. Donors like you help our students to thrive and persevere in a world where it seems like success is unreachable.
This project helped our students to develop a love for reading and to define themselves as readers. They are able to identify authors and genres that they love to read and they are able compare and contrast books as well as develop conversations about books and authors. As teachers, we are able to teach students skills that can be identified in every book whether they are a struggling or proficient reader. Children are able to have discussions without feeling left out. We are able to differentiate our lessons because we now have enough books for all level of readers. Thanks for being our superheroes!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Rahaman-Seuram