Past projects 165
The Interruption of the Internet Surfing!
Funded Aug 4, 2015Three cheers to all of you for your contribution to my classroom project! Frankly speaking, the tablets have had the most utility out of everything that we've received from Donors Choose this school year! For that, you all are to be commended. Securing a favorite anything is certainly hard to do with my talented group of learners, yet you have managed to be their favorites without even meeting them!
For my students, even the slightest interruptions can impact their learning in a major way. As their teacher, it is important for me to provide them all with multiple ways of learning. That way, they do not have to allow on simply one method of getting the job done. With the introduction of the tablets during tech time, students have an uninterrupted opportunity to work on programs that are critical to their learning in the areas of reading and math. This is definitely helpful to some of my savvy technology learners! What I am especially proud of is that there are 9 students, and 4 tablets. To see them work together and assist each other with problem solving is building to their character! Specifically, one student comes to mind. He has a difficult time communicating in class with peers. With the tablets, he is able to expressively communicate with his friends his wants and needs. This is very rewarding to see.
Thanks to teacher programming of the tablets, when tech time for learning is over, students are then able to have tech time for free choice. Please understand that it is a party in and of itself, as students are able to play with learning apps such as Endless Reader for Reading, ST Math for math applications, and a host of additional writing and math games targeted to be fun, while providing learning at the same time. This is a project that is constantly rewarding as students are even being diligent about protecting and charging the tablets. From a teacher perspective, I couldn't be more pleased!
Thank you all so much for thinking about my classroom! It is truly a blessing to know that there are individuals whom we've never met, but who are equally passionate about academic achievement. We are truly grateful for supporters like you!”
With gratitude,
Dr. Woods
This classroom project was brought to life by an anonymous donor and 7 other donors.Help Us to Preserve Our Work!
Funded May 27, 2015Thank you so much for funding the resources for our project! Providing laminators to a classroom may be small for some, but I can assure you that you have made a tremendous impact in my classroom. In my class, we celebrate all successes, even the small things. When a student is able to successfully complete an assignment and make an outside connection to learning material, we want to savor that moment. Thanks to you, we are able to do those things!
One of the struggles that my students are experiencing is writing on the line and coloring inside of the lines. I have a particular student who has been dubbed an artist. After completing an activity in which he colored one of his favorite sea animals with perfection, we were able to laminate his picture! It is now on display for everyone to see when entering the classroom. As for the artist, he always references his picture and it puts a smile on his face. These are the moments that we treasure and are certain to last a lifetime.
You have truly helped to boost the self esteem of my students and for that, I am truly appreciative. I wish you much happiness this holiday season and thank you all again for supporting teachers. My class could not have asked for a better gift this season.”
With gratitude,
Dr. Woods
The Award Goes To Me!
Funded Feb 5, 2015Thank you so much for providing the awards and award ribbons to our class. The package was delivered right on time as we were approaching our second honor roll assembly for the school year. With your donation, I do not have to print certificates online and my students are able to have certificated with a colorful background coupled with great penmanship! We are all very excited about the items.
I immediately began using the resources as soon as they arrived. During our honor roll assembly, students were surprised to see how many categories we included to provide every student an opportunity to achieve. From the principal honor roll, to computer awards, to awards in citizenship, everyone was so pleased. We were able to provide an award to almost every single student! Additionally, we are also able to use the award ribbons for excellence displayed inside of the classroom. This is great for students who work best with immediate gratification.
On behalf of my students, thank you so much for thinking about our class. A review of the pictures will show students receiving awards during the honor roll assembly and from our recognition days inside of the classroom. We truly appreciate your compassion towards education.”
With gratitude,
Dr. Woods
A Place For Everything!
Funded Dec 31, 2014Thank you so much for the resources that you provided to our classroom! When we received the boxes, I believe that I may have been more excited than my students. We have been without our organizational flow in the classroom but thanks to you all, we are back on track!
We began using the resources as soon as we received them! As a classroom teacher, I can't even begin to express the importance of organization. I notice that my students perform better, maximize their instructional time, and are accountable for their own learning by knowing how to access items in the classroom.
Several posters that were created at the beginning of the school year had become worn and were beginning to fall apart. With the sharpies you provided, we were able to recreate the older posters and reinforce the ones that were in good condition. The pictures will also show that my students enjoy the story cubes. They love being able to use it for different contents and even pairing up with a buddy to review novels discussed in class. This item alone has great utility in our classroom!
My students and I cannot thank you enough for contribution! We always appreciate individuals who support our school and most of all, our students! Thank you so much!”
With gratitude,
Dr. Woods
We're Not Bored With Board Games!!
Funded Nov 6, 2014Thank you so much for the board games that you provided for my classroom! My students simply love it when we have an opportunity to play the games. Thanks to decreases in behavior and increases with test scores, we are able to play games often. This could not have been done without your generosity and commitment to education. We began using the board games during lunch time in the cafeteria. For students who finished eating early, they could play board games with their classmates. After seeing the success of using the board games during lunch, and still being able to keep all of the pieces together, we began playing during down time in the classroom! I was then able to see the benefits of having board games in the classroom.
The biggest impact that resources have provided for my students doesn't rest on the fact that they get to play games during school hours. I have enjoyed being able to see them develop much needed skills in community building and sportsmanship. With my middle school learners, competition in everything from academics to sports is very intense. When they don't get the outcomes they desired, it becomes difficult not to harbor feelings of being defeated. By providing them with frequent opportunities to engage in a bit of community building skills using board games, students have been able to handle being defeated while congratulating peers who may have been successful. This is a huge step in their middle school development! An added bonus for me is that many of the games that my students enjoy were the ones that I enjoyed when I was in middle school. There have definitely been times in which I've participated in all of the fun!
We cannot thank you enough for thinking about us and providing loads of fun in our classroom! We appreciate your kindness and we look forward to more community building!”
With gratitude,
Dr. Woods
Making Moves With Math Manipulatives!
Funded Oct 26, 2014Thank you so much for your donation to our classroom! I work with a variety of scholars who thrive when working with manipulatives. Imagine their surprise when they saw that we had enough materials to last us throughout the rest of the school year! If we're lucky, we may have enough to get us started for the next school year. With your efforts, we can continue to keep the process of making moves with math manipulatives going!
My students are sure to keep busy in the classroom with all of the resources that you have provided. Of course, my students have a few favorites. A review of the pictures will certainly highlight their love of the foam counters used for addition and subtraction and the geoboards that are used for geometry. They are even doing better with telling time. This is very helpful for a teacher who is always being asked, "How much longer do we have left" during classroom time. As their teacher, the overall impact that all of the resources have provided is tremendous. Students approach math tasks with a bit more ease and behaviors are decreasing due to heavy student engagement. For me, the most important impact that the resources have on my students is that they now take pride in the work that they are producing. This is a big step for my once shy scholars!
I can't tell you how grateful we are for the resources that you have provided. It pleases me to know that there are many individuals who support educators and student achievement. Thank you so much for thinking about us and for investing in student achievement!”
With gratitude,
Dr. Woods
This classroom project was brought to life by Chevron DC and 4 other donors.Please Don't Interrupt Our Learning!!
Funded Oct 16, 2014Thank you so much for funding our classroom project! My students are always surprised when I tell them that there are individuals whom we've never met interested in providing resources to our classroom. They are always fascinated with the idea that there are people we don't know willing to lend a helping hand!
We immediately began utilizing the resources once we received the packages. I must say that there were a few favorites, from the perspective of my students. The extreme washable markers were a big hit! With our building undergoing a much needed renovation, we are limited to the amount of wall space we can use. So, what do we do? We used the window markers to personalize our room with our names, announcements, and student of the week notices. Best of all, my students are able to independently complete this task on their own, which makes them feel real special! Another big hit were the loads of construction paper that we received! Construction paper, but mostly white construction paper, is a favorite amongst my middle school students. They use this in so many ways. For example, many of my students like to use art as a form of therapy, expression, and to hone in on natural talents. Once scissors and glue are incorporated, they are truly able to deliver great pieces of art! I am truly grateful to be able to provide these services in the classroom.
From a teaching perspective, I am certain that I enjoy the benefits of these resources more than my students. Seeing the impact of these resources boost student learning is simply amazing. Specifically, the accountability associated with the resources. With the clipboards, I am able to delegate important tasks to students such as monitoring the classroom, taking messages to other teachers, and acquiring signatures from staff. It's amazing how significant a clipboard can make a middle school student feel! Additionally, we have enough paper for the remainder of the school year. Copying additional assignments effortlessly, creating duplicates of positive test grades for parents to see, producing field trip documents, and printing out additional assignments are only a few ways that we've used the paper so far. The added bonus is that our school colors are blue and yellow so when we use the colored paper, we continue to show our school spirit!
We are definitely taken care of, thanks to your contribution to our classroom. We appreciate you taking the time out to think about us, and we are thankful for your dedication to education!”
With gratitude,
Dr. Woods
This classroom project was brought to life by Chevron DC and 10 other donors.Help Us To Learn!
Funded Sep 4, 2014Thank you so much for providing resources to my classroom! When I informed my students of the good news, they were excited. We never expected to have our project funded in a matter of days. Thanks to you, it happened!
We immediately began using the resources as soon as they arrived. We can easily say that we enjoy the crayons, colored pencils, and regular pencils the most. My students aren't always equipped with the resources needed for their classes. In addition to "lost" assignments, pencils have always been a bit scarce. To be able to provide sharpened pencils to them upon their arrival to class eases the pressure of admitting they aren't prepared for school. I've also been able to assign classroom jobs with the pencil sharpeners. We are truly maximizing our instructional time.
In addition to the art supplies, math class has also been great! Having calculators to assist with solving problems relating to the order of operations, fractions, and division are helping my students to see the big idea as well as notice errors made with computations. Even with calculators, they have to show their work! While that may or may not be the best news for my students, I am still able to check student work for understanding.
The materials that you have funded will last us the entire school year. I can't tell you how just a splash of color on a project, providing art supplies for self-expression, and having materials for learning can truly enhance students' motivation to succeed.
The day that you all funded the projects was a great day in the land of education! Thank you for thinking of us educators, and most of all our students.”
With gratitude,
Dr. Woods
This Is The Start Of Something New!
Funded Jan 3, 2014Thank you so much for your contribution to our classroom! My students couldn't believe that complete strangers took the time out to care about their education, let alone their educational needs! Comments such as "How do they know who were are?" and "Do they live in Washington, DC, like us?" are only a few statements that have been made by my students and their parents! They couldn't be happier with all that we've received and I am thankful to you all for the gesture!
As a teacher, I am mostly pleased with the fact that students who were unable to purchase school supplies had an opportunity to have materials for school. With the 5 subject notebooks, students are able to use one notebook for all of their classes. This definitely eliminates the hassle of having to keep up with many notebooks. The composition books are used as journals for some, and a homework book for others. Now that we have a new pencil sharpener, we are no longer in danger of hurting our fingers using the much older pencil sharpener that is inside of the classroom! Thankfully, I am now able to have the pencils sharpened for my students prior to their arrival in class. From a teacher perspective, that definitely helps my lessons to flow better.
Your donations to my classroom has helped to improve my students' learning in so many ways. Students are now prepared for class and do not have to worry about being inadequate, simply because they lacked materials. They are now able to use their own pens and pencils to take notes, complete assignments, and assessments. With your donation, you have really helped to create well rounded and prepared students. We thank you so much!”
With gratitude,
Dr. Woods
This classroom project was brought to life by Quill.com and one other donor.Three Cheers for Literacy!
Funded Dec 29, 2013Thank you so much for your literacy contributions to my classroom! It is so hard to keep up with current reading titles in a classroom library. But with your contributions, we have been able to do just that! With your contribution, we have been able to do so much in our classrooms! We are able to use some of the books, for example the novel Bang!, as a small classroom reading set for my advanced readers. The content of the book mirrors many of their current lives and it is very difficult keeping this one on the shelves for long! There's also the Hunger Games trilogy. I cannot begin to tell you how popular this one is amongst my students, especially with the movie version playing in the theaters.
In our classroom, we keep a reading log near our classroom library. Since you're contributions, we've had to add more pages in our reading log as all of my students have found pleasure in selecting books biweekly. I've also been able to add a writing component to all of the books that are selected. Students are now more engaged in the writing process as it relates to paragraph structure, point of view, and book reports! Some have even dubbed themselves as "book reporters", giving grades to the novel and justifying their grades with well written sentences. I am mostly excited about their subscription to Time for Kids. Now they are able to learn more about the world, in a language that they all understand!
My students are still in awe at the fact that people could be so generous to complete strangers. With each project that is funded for them, I am also able to reiterate the importance of humanity. In an environment where it is hard to take note of the little fortunes that come, my students have truly been able to benefit from your contributions!
Again, thank you so much for thinking about our classroom! We truly appreciate you all!”
With gratitude,
Dr. Woods