Past projects 13
Logical Brains for the Win!
Funded Aug 13, 2023Thank you so much for the logic games and materials for my students. They have loved having the opportunity to play games while learning. The materials are engaging and easy to prep.
While the students are working together, I have heard a considerable amount of productive math/logic talk. There is already a noticeable improvement of my students' thinking skills; which is evident in their independent Math work. What warms my teacher heart is that many of my students ask to pull these materials out whenever we have extra time! Thank you again.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Rissmann
This classroom project was brought to life by The State of Oklahoma.Mad Scientist Skills
Funded Aug 16, 2022My students were extremely excited to utilize the National Geographic Science experiment kits you helped obtain. I was so proud of how well they shared the materials and made sure everyone in their groups got an opportunity to be a part of the fun! It was heartwarming to hear all the Science conversations going on in my classroom. Their curiosity has definitely been sparked!
So far my students have made "worms," grown crystal trees, worked with color changes due to ph levels, and explored how substances can create gases in chemical reactions. They can't wait for the next time we can delve into the world of experiments again!
Thank you again for helping my students have the opportunity to experiment.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Rissmann
A Microscopic Look at Learning
Funded Feb 4, 2022Thank you for providing digital microscopes, slides, and fossils for my students. These materials have given the students an opportunity to discover, and interact with, the world around them in ways they have never done before.
Students were astounded by the microscopic views these materials granted them. They were able to practice basic microscope skills of finding objects on a slide and focusing at different strengths. Students compared different materials and then began looking for other objects around the classroom to view under the microscope.
The excitement and energy in the room was palpable as the students engaged in productive discussion while cooperatively utilizing the materials.
Thank you again for helping build a desire in my students to continue delving into the sciences.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Rissmann
This classroom project was brought to life by Panda Cares and one other donor.Paint Yourself Happy
Funded Aug 12, 2021Thank you so much for the canvases and acrylic paints. They have allowed my students the opportunity to creatively express themselves in a medium most of them have never utilized.
We used the art materials before Christmas break for the students to create a painting as their present for their loved ones. We talked about the colors in the sky at sunset and how they blend into each other. I then showed them how to paint their sunset background and blend the acrylics together. The students painted their backgrounds and left them overnight. The second day we discussed trees, how the branches look, and then looked at some examples students created the previous year and how they all looked different. They then added a tree silhouette to their paintings. The students did a fabulous job with their paintings, and they were thrilled to be able to create a present to give to others.
The excitement my students showed while painting; and the way they encouraged and complimented each others' efforts, filled my heart with joy. I believe it is highly important to cultivate creative outlets in students, and I deeply appreciate being able to do this with them.
Thank you again for helping make my students so happy.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Rissmann
This classroom project was brought to life by Bill Gates and 7 other donors.Save the Chromebooks!
Funded Dec 11, 2020Thank you for your kind donations and comments. Sometimes things that seem small to us as adults, are highly impactful to children. A chromebook sleeve may not seem like much, but my students will be so proud and excited to get them. You helped make this happen for them. Thank you!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Rissmann
This classroom project was brought to life by FamilyAlbum and 7 other donors.Art for the Heart
Funded Aug 13, 2019My students and I recently used the art resources you graciously donated to create paintings for Christmas gifts for the students to give to parents, grandparents, etc. I chose to have them do a tree sillouhetted against a sunset scene due to the vibrant colors; which I knew the students would enjoy creating.
All of the students were extremely excited to paint. They did an excellent job listening to how to appropriately handle the materials, and were highly complimentary to each other on their efforts on the paintings. I loved seeing their creativity come to life, and I always enjoy the variety of artwork the students produce.
Since the students were so respectful and careful with the brushes, etc., all the resources are in great condition for students to use next year. I'm hoping to be able to fit in another painting session with this group of students this year; possibly something inspired by Georgia O'Keefe.
Thank you so much for giving my students the opportunity to explore another avenue of art and express themselves creatively.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Rissmann
This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and one other donor.Making Math 3-Dimensional
Funded Aug 13, 2019Thank you for all the support in funding this project for a 3-D printer and filament. I am excited to learn about 3D printing along with my students! I think this project will spark excitement and lead students to make connections and learn while having a lot of fun!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Rissmann
This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 2 other donors.Design 101: Math in the Real World
Funded Feb 16, 2017Thank you for your generous donations which have made this project, Design 101: Math in the Real World, possible.
My students were quite excited to begin this project. Their creativity flowed while setting up their designs on the ipads. I had everything from basketball to kittens to summertime pineapples! After creating their designs and sizing them to fit within t-shirt parameters, each group was able to wirelessly send the data to our new Cricut. It was all hands on board as my students worked together to ensure that everyone in each group had a chance to do each and every step.
After all of the designing, we got busy with the math. I created a worksheet that involved prices for shirts and vinyl used, setting fees, and expenditures such as electricity and wages. Each group then had to figure out how much it would cost them to create 50 t-shirts and what they would have to then sell them for so that they would be able to cover all of their costs each month. After that we talked about profit. After upping their selling price a bit they had to figure out the percent markup and the profit. The students were amazed at how quickly the costs added up and how much math goes into a simple start-up business.
Thank you again for assisting us in bringing a real-world, highly engaging activity into the classroom.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Rissmann
This classroom project was brought to life by Charles Schwab and 5 other donors.Oh Snap! We Can Build Electronics!
Funded Feb 16, 2017Thank you for the generous donations that have allowed our class access to SNAP Circuits Lights! Without you, this project would not have been possible.
My classes have loved building the circuits and learning how they change based on the amount of power, types of switches used, and types of lights or motors used. They have especially enjoyed the activities with the motors and the ones where they had to use their fingers to complete the circuits to make the lights perform. Several of my students used the parts to build their own circuits, and they all were showing me the activities and explaining what they discovered as they worked. One group even used them to build an additional flashlight to use while they worked on the projects!
All of my students now have a concrete understanding of how circuits work and are able to connect it with the way electricity carries into building to make lights work every day. Being able to assist them in making real world connections has been a joy; both for myself and my students. Thank you again.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Rissmann
This classroom project was brought to life by Stavros Niarchos Foundation and 9 other donors.Fabulous Fractions!
Funded Feb 24, 2014Thank you for your generosity in helping fund my Fabulous Fractions! project. These manipulatives have been helping my students have fun while learning fractions, and they have enabled me to reach all styles and levels of learners.
My students have utilized all of the different manipulatives you helped provide while they have explored fractions and fraction equivalence. The unifix cubes helped the students visually understand how a fraction is part of a whole, while the fraction/decimal tiles assisted them in finding equivalent fractions, adding and subtracting fraction, and also with transitioning into decimal equivalence. Using the fraction circles helped students view fractions in a different way, and they were able to fluidly move from fraction to decimal form by that point.
Many people think of manipulatives as items for lower elementary students to utilize, but older students gain much understanding through their use as well. By having the manipulatives available, students can even access them when they are unsure of their strategies for working a problem, or if they simply want to check an answer. Thank you for realizing that all students can benefit from these tools and for helping provide my students with learning materials that bring life to fractions. With these manipulative materials, I will be able to reach more learners and help them gain a deeper understanding of fractions for years to come.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Rissmann