Mrs. Dodson's Classroom Edit display name

Past projects 12

• Look! I Can Read These Books!

  Funded May 8, 2024

  My precious students were so excited to receive the selection of early reader books that you purchased for our library. As soon as the box of books were delivered, we opened it and pulled out all the books. This is the part that is so exciting to me and the students. To see the smiles on the faces of all my students when they touched and previewed all the "brand new books" was very rewarding. This is why I write grants and fundraise for more books to add to our collection. It really is all about the students and the excitement of reading engaging books on their level.

  Reading in the library looks like relaxing in different centers and areas around the room to just read either alone or in pairs. With all the classes they have throughout the day, there is really no time for them to just choose a book and get lost in a story whether it be fiction or nonfiction. This library culture of Reading leads to better fluency, higher knowledge of comprehension and a plethora of vocabulary words which leads to better test scores.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Dodson

  This classroom project was brought to life by Valhalla Foundation.

• Graphic Novels Are Real Books Too!

  Funded Jan 29, 2024

  Thank you for donating your hard earned money to purchase graphic novels for our school library. It is a challenge for struggling readers to sit down and read a traditional book that doesn't include colored pages or pictures. Students would rather read books that resemble the Social Media world like Netflix, TikTok, and Video Games. That is why Graphic Novels are an essential part of an elementary library. Teachers have to appeal and reach students where they are at not where we think they should be.

  Graphic Novels capture the attention of elementary students faster than the "regular or traditional novels. Why wouldn't a book filled with colorful pages and short pieces of text incased in word bubbles not excite not only the struggling readers but also the proficient readers. They excite all! Traditional books can be hard to get through whereas a graphic novel is less overwhelming, and makes for an easy read no matter the student's age. If you saw the empty shelves in the library, you would understand the importance of Graphic Novels. Thank you so much for investing in us.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Dodson

• Reading and Rocking With Pete the Cat!

  Funded Oct 3, 2023

  Both lower and upper elementary students are excited about all the new Pete the Cat books you purchased for our library. I can't keep them on the shelf. As a matter of fact, students are waiting for the books to be checked back in so they can check them back out. Pete the Cat appeals to all students and some teachers regardless of age. Pete is a familiar character that's groovy and fun to read about. All of Pete's books entertain students with funny sayings, crazy rhymes and life-long wisdom expressed in a language students can understand.

  A quote from I Love My White Shoes says, "No matter what you step in, keep walking along and singing your song... because it's all good." "In this book, Pete the Cat is wearing his new white shoes as he is walking down the street. He steps in some things that mess up his new white shoes. When it happens, Pete the Cat doesn't get angry. He just emphasizes that we shouldn't sweat the small stuff. The great part is students need to hear these life long lessons to get through life. What better character to tell them than Pete the Cat!

  If I had to name the grade that loves Pete the Cat books the most, it would be fourth and fifth graders. I think maybe because some of their teachers read it out loud to them in previous grades. Now they feel empowered to read the books for themselves because it brings back memories of previous times spent listening to Pete the Cat when they were not able to read it for themselves.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Dodson

• Printer Needed for Black History Projects

  Funded May 8, 2023

  Thank you so much. You do not realize the impact this printer will make when Black History projects, HBCU research essays, Social Studies Fair projects, and Book reports are assigned to our students throughout the school year. With this laser printer, students will be able to print photos, illustrations and typed reports to secure a successful grade.

  Since our students are from a low socioeconomic background where our parents' main concern is taking care of their child's basic needs like shelter, food ,and clothing (school uniforms), a printer to use at home is not a necessity. That's exactly why I wrote this Donor Choose grant. To me, it is absolutely necessary for a student to have access to a printer when completing school projects.

  When the printer came, I opened it up and showed the class currently in the library. Of course, they had to inspect it and figure out exactly how it worked. (This was the fun part for me.) Then, I let them decide where we should put it in the "research area of our library." They even asked if they could start looking up pictures to print. I told them we would discuss the printer rules a little later. This printer will give our students the ease of mind in knowing they will have access to a printer when it's time to complete school projects. I know having this printer housed in the library will change our students' lives and grades. You are very much appreciated!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Dodson

  This classroom project was brought to life by General Motors Corporation and 6 other donors.

• Silly Girls, These Books are for Boys!

  Funded Mar 30, 2023

  The purpose of writing this Donor Choose grant was to get more books in the library specifically for my 4th and 5th grade boys who are what I call reluctant readers. I was tired of watching most of my 4th and 5th grade boys browse around the library clearly not interested in any of the "boring" books already on the shelves. Time and time again, I would suggest books I thought they might like only to be looked at with an eye roll or a

  scrunched up nose which meant a definite no. After suggesting several different books to my boys time and time again, I knew I would need to bring more suitable and interesting books to catch the eye of the "cool" boys.

  My students were excited when we received the books you donated to our library. In fact, students were eager to check the books out as soon as I pulled them out of the box.

  This made me smile because I am constantly pushing them to read books that really excite them. Since my students are the ones who chose the books for the Donors Choose grant, I knew they would be jumping up and down to be the first one to check out the books. In fact, I had to draw names to see who would be the first to check out each book. This was an excellent feeling to see my boys so excited. about checking out a book.

  Each class visits the library once a week for instruction and book check-out. After checking out books during their library time, the students have an opportunity to read in designated areas around the library. They can either choose a friend to read with or read alone until it is time to go back to class. The YouTube chapter books are a big hit not only with the boys, but also the girls. They sit around and discuss the characters from the book and how they are like the You Tubers they watch online. Just hearing the conversation about the books you purchased for the library excites this Library Media Specialist's heart like nothing else.

  Again, Thank you so much for your generous donation. We sincerely appreciate the books.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Dodson

  This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 3 other donors.

• Book Buddy Bags to the Rescue

  Funded Jan 23, 2023

  My students absolutely love the Book Bags that you donated to our library. My first graders were in the library at the time the boxes were delivered. Of course, we opened the boxes immediately. (We like getting deliveries.) I pulled the book bags out and showed the students to which they all yelled, "OOOOH and AHHHH."

  The book bags with specific grade-level chosen books will be sent home daily with lower elementary students. Reading logs will also be placed inside the bags, so parents can document the pages or minutes read each night. My goal is to equip students with a reliable way to get books to and from school without being damaged or lost. Readers are Leaders. I plan to create leaders from the students reading out of my library.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Dodson

  This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and one other donor.

• "I Really Need a Moment Please!"

  Funded Dec 23, 2022

  The beanbag, sensory items, and privacy panels are a game changer for the library. Recently a child came into the library with his class. He was clearly upset and distraught over an incident that took place in the hallway on his way to the library. He was crying uncontrollably. The child's teacher was going to send him to the office, but I convinced her to give him a moment. I pulled the student aside and simply said, "Do you need a moment?" The look on the student's face was heartwarming when he realized there was a place he could sit for just a moment. A moment is not a long time, but it is to a child who is having a bad day and in danger of going to the office.

  These items are truly appreciated by all my library students and especially me. Thank you for giving from your heart, because we ALL could learn a valuable lesson from just gifting ourselves and our students a moment.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Dodson

• Bounce Dribble Pass Poetry in Motion

  Funded Feb 18, 2022

  What an impact the book, The Crossover, made with my fifth grade students! After I learned so many of my students were interested in not only playing basketball, but also watching basketball games, I knew this would be the perfect end of the year book study for fifth graders. When I told them I asked donors to purchase this book, my students got excited to see just how the book was going to inform them about basketball. (My students thought they already knew everything about basketball!)

  Reading in the library looks like small group reading, partner reading, whole group reading or just reading alone. For this particular book study, students chose to read and discuss the book whole group with me reading orally at times and them reading with groups and partners at times. It really did work out great! I introduced the book by showing the students a video created by the author, Kwame Alexander. This was the hook that created interest and started the basketball discussion among all the fifth graders. They enjoyed reading, The Crossover, especially the rich discussions about basketball moves and teen life in general. When we finished reading the book, we played the trivia game Kahoot using questions from the book!

  Again, Thank you for the purchase of these books for my students.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Dodson

  This classroom project was brought to life by Black History Month Partners and 2 other donors.

• Beyond the Books: Makerspaces in the Library

  Funded Oct 25, 2021

  My students and I are thoroughly enjoying the new resources you purchased for our elementary school library. Several of my students helped me unpack and sort all the boxes of Makerspace Items we received. Of course, we had to play with our new "stuff" before we placed them alphabetically on the shelves. I can already tell that our new resources are going to be popular.

  One way, I am using the makerspace kits in the library is through library centers. I place one makerspace kit and several topic related books in a center with a specific literacy task for my students to complete during center time. Another way, I am using makerspace activities in the library is by rewarding students who maintain their reading levels in the classroom. On "Free Friday," teachers will send designated students to the library , so they can create and design using the makerspace resources. Teachers meet me in the hallway and say, "My kids really love coming to the library to use the new makerspace items." I love to hear this from teachers!

  Last week, I taught the fairy tale Rapunzel to second graders. Their makerspace task was to create a way for Rapunzel to leave the tall tower the witch has placed her in. Each group of students were given a makerspace kit to use for the task. Students built a slide with the magnetic tiles, a ladder with the bendy straw constructors, and an elevator with the shapes and circuits. They had so many great ideas and just plain fun!

  Thank you so much for adding resources to my elementary library.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Dodson

• Take Art to Heart: Creating Art to Cope

  Funded Sep 7, 2021

  Many thanks to you for your generous donation of art supplies to our library. Approximately 400 students are benefiting from the art brushes and water colored pencils you helped provide. There was much excitement circulating around the school when students found out there would be art going on in the library. Students poked their head in the library almost daily asking if the art supplies had arrived yet. I laughed each time I had to tell them, "Not yet! Be patient!"

  In my opinion, the reason why our students were overly excited about receiving the art supplies is because art has been placed on the back burner of our students' learning. When standardized testing took over and began dictating the curriculum, other " extra" areas of learning were no longer important especially art. During the crazy days of the pandemic, our students were not able to use art as a coping mechanism to express what they were experiencing due to lack of art supplies. The long uncertain days of the pandemic were not only difficult for parents and teachers, but most especially our students. Allowing students to express themselves through art has have been extremely helpful. Now there is more excitement in the library. My students ask everyday to use the art supplies, because that's just how much my students enjoy having the art supplies readily accessible in the library.

  I must tell you about the impromptu "art lesson" that made the biggest impact on me yet . Last week, my fifth graders came into the library after a long day of working. I had some relaxing music playing on the promethean board while they were getting settled. I handed each student a half sheet of art paper, water color pencils and an art brush. The only instruction I gave them was, "How does music make you feel?" I was overwhelmed by the responses of my students. It literally brought tears to my eyes to witness the students paint blue skies, musical notes, and other scenery on their canvas.

  I am very proud of the way my students utilize the art supplies you donated to cope with these uncertain times in their lives.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Dodson

  This classroom project was brought to life by Osmo and 3 other donors.