Past projects 12
Refresh Our Library
Funded Dec 4, 2023I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for your generous support in providing books for our students. The impact of your donation has been profound, particularly during Women's History Month and Black History Month. With the resources you've provided, my students have been able to delve into rich narratives and explore the diverse experiences and contributions of women and Black individuals throughout history. These books have not only enriched their understanding of these important topics but have also fostered a sense of empathy and appreciation for cultural diversity.
Furthermore, your contribution has significantly enhanced our social-emotional learning curriculum. The availability of books focusing on themes of resilience, empathy, and self-discovery has been invaluable in supporting our students' emotional development. Additionally, we've observed a remarkable engagement among reluctant readers, particularly with graphic novels. These visually stimulating narratives have sparked a newfound enthusiasm for reading and have helped bridge the gap for students who may struggle with traditional texts. Thank you for your unwavering support and commitment to educational excellence.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Apostolu
This classroom project was brought to life by Townsend Press and 3 other donors.Carpet for Comfort
Funded Sep 21, 2023My kids are struggling readers. Sometimes it is very difficult to motivate them to pick up a book and read.
What a difference a comfortable and colorful rug makes. My kids get so excited to sit on the rug and read.
Whether we are doing a read aloud, a math lesson, or group work, the kids are more excited to do it on our new carpet.
As a treat, we often have free reading on the carpet. One of my goals as a teacher has been to make lifelong readers. Through your generous donations, you have made this goal much easier to attain.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Apostolu
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 3 other donors.The Gift of Current Information
Funded Sep 21, 2023My students are struggling readers. That means I always need to take extra time to find resources interesting and relevant to them. Well due to your donations, problem solved!
An added bonus is that I now get current information for them and they love it. All of my students look forward to receiving the next issue. This month, October, Science Spin had an entire issue about bats and the kids could not get enough. It is easy to get their reading skills improved when they love what they are reading.
I cannot thank you enough.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Apostolu
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 3 other donors.Let's Get Down to Basics
Funded Sep 11, 2023When my students saw the huge box come to my room, their eyes were as big as saucers! They were so excited for me to open it and be able to see all that we got.
They could not believe all of the materials that we received thanks to your generous donations. I have had students play a game with High frequency words with my Classroom Aide. I already see a difference in their reading.
Just today we used some of the are materials to make owls. We dissected Owl Pellets in Science, then researched and wrote about Pellets as an adaptation. Then to bring another discipline and round out the lesson, I decided we would use some of the new art materials to draw and color Owls. The students had a blast and learned so much at the same time.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Apostolu
This classroom project was brought to life by Panda Cares and 9 other donors.But Now, to Keep our Carpet Clean!
Funded Jan 12, 2023My students always love when packages come to open in class because they know they are new materials for the classroom. When the vacuum and carpet cleaner came, they were so excited. We put them both together and we were off! The kids love taking ownership of keeping the carpet clean. They are always excited to get the vacuum out and vacuum the carpet at the end of the day. The cleaner keeps all of the filth from the playground out. Thank you so very much for your gracious giving. My class and I are so very grateful.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Apostolu
Keeping Informed with Scholastic
Funded Aug 13, 2021There is nothing like getting something delivered to the classroom every month that is yours. It feels so very special. That is how you have made my students feel by sponsoring a Scholastic Magazine subscription for them.
We all know that by the time a new textbook has been published, some of the information is not as up-to-date as it could be. The answer to helping fill in the gaps is Scholastic Magazines. I love the subscription so much because it is a publication with relevant and timely information. The articles are of high interest for the kids and they look forward to their copy of the magazine every week. Scholastic also is a great resource I use to teach Informational text features (another 3rd grade standard.)
Scholastic News Articles sparks educationally valuable conversations that almost all of the students are eager to participate in. Thank you so much for giving my class the opportunity to learn from this gift. It will definitely impact their learning.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Apostolu
This classroom project was brought to life by Bill Gates and 4 other donors.Just the Basics
Funded Aug 13, 2021As a teacher, it is always so gratifying to see the excitement on my students' faces when our classroom receives a package and I tell them it is for them. Their little eyes turn into huge saucers in anticipation of what is in there.
My students were overwhelmed as I passed out all of the supplies that they could call their very own. They each were able to get basic school materials to be able to complete their work without having to ask or borrow from others. Even as I write this, two months later, they are still enjoying and using these supplies daily.
It is only through generous donors like you that I am able to give them these material things that give them a feeling of independence and help them take ownership of their work. Thank you always for supporting our classroom.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Apostolu
This classroom project was brought to life by Bill Gates and 5 other donors.Fossilize Our Ancient iPad
Funded May 5, 2021The looks on my students' faces were indescribable when I opened our new IPad. They did not even begin to know the implications of what it would mean for them. We use the IPad in multiple ways. I take photos of day-to-day activities that occur in our classroom. Then I upload the photos into Class Dojo so that their parents can get a glimpse into the fun and engaging learning their children are experiencing. The photos will spark a conversation with their parents about their learning. We also have used photos in Powerpoints that we have created such as the Life Cycle of the Bean. After we have the photos, the kids write about the process and insert the photos. The children are taking photos of the work that they feel proud of and upload them to their own digital portfolio. As we are doing lessons, I have the ebook projecting to annotate and clarify points for the class. In addition, as I walk around, I can show and spotlight interesting student work. I project it, then let the student share their strategies. All of these things increase engagement and help the children take ownership of their learning.
I can not thank you enough for your generosity and support of our classroom.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Apostolu
This classroom project was brought to life by SONIC Drive-In and 10 other donors.Teaching Tolerance from Home
Funded Jun 5, 2020It is a big challenge this year to keep books as a focal point, but the books that I received have really helped keep the kids engaged. They are excited to hear the daily read aloud. With all of the challenges that we have faced this year and all of the Social unrest, the Social emotional books have helped relieve some of the stress my kids have been feeling.
In addition to reducing the stress, between those books and the books on tolerance, they have helped spark the conversations that need to take place. We have been able to discuss demonstrating, social unrest, and change. With your help, my class has been able to have sensitive conversations that have lead to understanding.
Each of the books received was specifically aimed at improving Social emotional health and understanding of differences. These books have surely started laying the groundwork for lasting understanding and tolerance. In addition, they will help make life long readers by reading such amazing titles!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Apostolu
We Need More Room for Books We Love!
Funded Oct 2, 2019Thank you so much for your generous and thoughtful donations. Because of you and your support of our classroom, my students are enjoying this awesome book case. The easy access that they have to the books makes a world of difference in their reading life. This really boosts how many books that I can get into their hands. It is amazing how many books it holds! My students are so excited with all of the new books that I can put in the library.
Every time I sit down to write one of these thank you notes, I am so humbled and overjoyed that you consistently take the time to support my students and my classroom. It is awe inspiring and I am so glad that you choose us to be the recipient of your good will.
Thank you so very much for this gift of a rotating bookstand for my students. It is SUCH a hit in the short time since we have assembled it. The kids truly do adore this piece of furniture. It brings our library to life and attracts the kids that normally I haven't seen at the library before.
Thank you again for all of the support and love you give to our classroom. We wouldn't be the same classroom without you.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Apostolu
This classroom project was brought to life by District Partnership Program and 4 other donors.