Past projects 4
Seeing is Believing and Learning!
Funded May 11, 2013Thank you so much for the amazing document camera that was provided for our first grade classroom. This resource has made our lessons more hands-on and interactive. The things we are able to do with the camera make our time in the classroom much more enjoyable and exciting! It helps me teach the students in a more effective way because they are all able to see my demonstrations up close. Our new document camera has definitely changed the way I teach and the way the students learn!
The day I opened the box my students were curious and intrigued. As I started using it, they became more and more excited about our lessons. They love that they can see things as if they were right there with me! They also love using it as they share with each other. They feel that their work is more important and exciting because they can see it on the big screen.
As a class, we have been using our new document camera daily. We use it for math demonstrations, sharing our writing, and Word Work. It makes everything so much easier when I don't have all 17 students crowded around me as I try to show them something. There has always been a problem of my manipulatives being too small or someone being in the way. With our new document camera, that no longer happens. Our classroom has become more collaborative and student-centered because of your thoughtful contribution to our learning. Thank you again for all you have done for my students and myself. You have made a difference in the lives of my students!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Kirby
More Working Space for More Kids!
Funded Aug 23, 2015I wanted to share some updates with you about the impact that having more tables has had on our classroom. When my students first saw the tables arrive outside the window, they could hardly contain their excitement. All day long they wanted our custodian to hurry up and build them. The next day they walked in and squealed with joy. They ran into the room, wanting to know where their official space was located. They now feel like they have a comfortable "home" instead of a crowded space. Their classmates at their tables have become their families and there have been many friendships that have formed. Their collaboration and idea-sharing has been exciting to watch.
We have not only been able to work better independently because of having more tables, but we have been able to do some really fun projects at our tables. With the large amount of space the students have to work, we have built large fact-family houses, had lots of room to complete all of our art projects, and have daily competitions to see which table can be the quietest, the cleanest, or working the hardest. They have definitely taken more ownership being in small, mixed groups!
As the year continues, we intend to continue learning at our tables and maximizing our learning while we are there. We are going to start labeling our tables by sight words to learn them better. We will also be doing some fun Christmas stations around them! In the spring we will look at some project-based learning by working with our table groups to come up with a plan and execute it. Thanks to all of you, we have the opportunity to learn in the best environment possible. We appreciate your willingness to help and see our classroom thrive. :)”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Kirby
A Space to Work - Tables for a 1st Grade Classroom
Funded Jan 21, 2015My students and I cannot thank you enough for your contributions towards our classroom tables. Since they arrived in January, we have felt more at home and complete than at any other point during the school year. It's like our classroom is brand new! The sense of community we now have is remarkable.
As soon as our tables arrived, the students walked in the next day and didn't even know what to say. Mouths dropped open and they were speechless. They quickly sat down at their spot and ran their fingers across the table and looked around from their chair. To say that they love them is an absolute understatement. They work better together and our room has more order to it!
Each student has their very own spot at one of the tables. They use them to complete their morning work, do art projects, write stories, do math problems, play educational games, read books, and a whole host of other activities. Their favorite thing to do is work with other students at different tables! They love having a place to sit and collaborate with their peers.
The students are more focused now that they have their own spot to work at. They take pride and ownership in taking care of their tables. My classroom is now easier to manage with all students having their own workspace. They have proved to be a wise investment for our first grade classroom.
Thank you again for helping support the needs of my school and students. I am forever grateful for your willingness to help me create a better learning environment for my students.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Kirby
Cozy Classroom Carpet for Learning
Funded Nov 4, 2012Thank you so much for your donation toward our new classroom carpet! My students have already benefited greatly from such a cozy space! We meet there every single day to share stories, experiences, ideas, questions, and sweet moments as a class. The students LOVE their own "spots." They enjoy personal reading time, iPad time, and playing games on our new carpet. It has absolutely made our classroom more inviting and a warm place to be! On behalf of my students and myself, thank you from the bottom of our hearts!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Kirby