Past projects 4
Curiosity Is the Best Motivator for Learning!
Funded Dec 4, 2024I hope this message finds you well. I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude for your generous contributions that made it possible for my first-grade classroom to receive copy paper, Crayola Model Magic, and the Lakeshore science kit, in addition to a few other items. Your support has truly made a difference in our learning experience!
With the copy paper, we created butterfly life cycle journals, which the students used to document each stage in the life of a butterfly. This activity was an incredible way to integrate English Language Arts into our science curriculum. The students practiced writing and sequencing as they recorded observations and illustrated each phase from egg to caterpillar, chrysalis, and finally, butterfly. Their excitement and engagement were evident on every page.
The Crayola Model Magic provided an opportunity for a hands-on, interdisciplinary science and art lesson. Students used the clay to create detailed models of each butterfly life cycle stage. This tactile experience helped solidify their understanding of metamorphosis while allowing their creativity to shine. Their colorful, 3D representations are now proudly displayed in our classroom.
The Lakeshore science kit enhanced our exploration of the butterfly life cycle by providing interactive materials that deepened students' curiosity and understanding of life sciences. It brought scientific concepts to life in a way that textbooks alone could not, making learning both fun and meaningful.
None of this would have been possible without your generosity. Thank you once again for supporting our classroom and investing in the education of young minds. You have made a lasting impact!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Min-Gillette
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 5 other donors.Calming Area
Funded Jan 11, 2023We are using the calming area every day. The students were very excited to see the new items and very eager to learn how to use the breathing exercise posters as a class and individually, read through the emotions book as a class and look at the new items for the area, such as the world map rug.
I find the students use the calming area after a particularly difficult time at recess and lunch. The use of the area has become part of the process of reflection on dealing with difficult situations with peers. I feel the students are using the resources, such as the oil/water sensory toy, to help regulate their emotions in a healthy way. It has also helped students who come to school and may have had a morning at home that was not ideal. After some time at the calming area, they have asked to speak to me and let me know why they were so sad in the morning.
I feel the calming area provides the children with a space that is safe and helps the children cope with stress they may not understand yet. I think the safe space, validation of the child's feelings and a respected time for reflection has really helped the students with self-regulation so they can grow to be mentally healthy adults, so thank you, donors, for making this happen!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Min-Gillette
Paint It! Color It! Cut It! Yay!
Funded May 7, 2022Thank you so much for your incredible generosity! The first activity we did with the clear cups we got from our donation was to fill them with liquid watercolor paints and paint our favorite creature of spring, the butterfly. We also used the oil pastels to trace out the outline of our butterflies before using the watercolors to really make the colors of the paint stand out and they do!
My students were so excited to be painting and it was their first experience using oil pastels so they were delighted to discover how rich and vibrant the colors of oil pastels are compared to what they are used to using every day, which are crayons. They were also thrilled to see all the colors of the construction paper they received. We used the paper when we made the spring cherry blossom trees and the colors are so beautiful.
In our next project, we are going to be learning about ancient civilizations and your donation of a class set of Crayola markers will be used when we design hieroglyphics to convey messages to each other! It will be an exciting end to our first year back at in-person school. Thank you so much!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Min-Gillette
This classroom project was brought to life by Chevron and 4 other donors.We Have the Imagination! We Just Need the Paint!
Funded Feb 9, 2021The art supplies were a big hit with my 50 students who were learning in-person and virtual. The virtual students were so excited to pick up their supplies, I wish you could have seen their grinning faces. I tied in spring art projects, such as making cherry blossom art, to life science with the life cycle of a cherry tree and to social studies with a study of the important American monuments and memorials in Washington D.C., a place that is famous for their cherry trees. We used the construction paper for projects, such as making comparison monsters in math, and Earth Day art. So far, the biggest hit has been the use of Model Magic clay to make Mother's Day butterflies and then painting them with the watercolors.
Doing art together in the class, whether it was in a physical classroom or a Zoom room, brought the students closer together emotionally. Students were so excited to share their art and it was very heartwarming to see and hear students giving such positive feedback on their peers' art projects.
This experience helped us all grow as students and artists. We were able to bond more during this last half of our school and it has changed the way I teach because it has also challenged me to integrate subjects with art. There was so much more engagement and excitement all around, which can be a struggle during the last few months of school.
Thank you so much for making this year end on a wonderful note! You have made a difference in these children's lives and I thank you!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Min-Gillette