Past projects 7
Battle of Books Class Set - Enhancing Student Reading
Funded Aug 15, 2024Thank you so much for funding this project. All of the items provided by this project work either directly or indirectly to enhance the reading abilities of my students. I am already seeing improvement in their skills.
The Battle of the Books Set is a 20 book set that was chosen this year for the Battle Books. I do everything I can to encourage all of my students to read these books for the year so they can participate in the year-end battle. Already they are actively reading the books to earn their pins. What I like to see is the excitement in their personalities as they enjoy a "new book" they have never read before. The by-product of this excitement is that I see their skills in reading reaching to higher levels.
The dry erase markers, bins, earbuds, pencil pouches and fidget chair bands all help support the students to be organized and engaged. Learning is easier when they are organized and engaged. The book shelf and rolling standing desk help me be even better organized. I can move that rolling desk all around my classroom with my computer on it as it is connected to the apple TV - what a fantastic invention.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Bjarnson
This classroom project was brought to life by The Gates Foundation and one other donor.Reading "Battle of the Books" for 2023-2024 Gives Pride
Funded Aug 15, 2023This project helped the majority of my students successfully participate in Battle of the Books based on the number of books they read. All of the class participated in some way by reading these books that contributed to their reading abilities.
The students really found it exciting to get pins for each book they read and track their progress towards the end of the year. Those that read 7 or more books were able to participate in end-of-year activities for BOB program. They were perfecting their reading skills and enjoying it at the same time.
Thank you so much for helping my class to read much better.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Bjarnson
This classroom project was brought to life by The SONIC Foundation and one other donor.Battle of the Books Prepare for Life
Funded Nov 30, 2022The Battle of the Books (BOB) is a PTA sponsored program to provide excitement for students to strengthen their reading abilities. The PTA provides one class set of the 20 books chosen for the 4th grade year. This gift from Donors Choose gave another class set for my class to pick from. They always had an opportunity to read one of these exciting books and gain reading experience. It gave them a chance to work towards getting pins (from books read) for their lanyards and the chance to be on a Battle of the Books team for the year-end activity. These excellent books have opened up new visions for my students and they are very proud to have their pins on display in the room for each book they have read. We have even been able to read a couple of the books as a class so they can experience it together. A large number of the students have each read a good chunk of the 20 books and a some have read all 20 of the books. Their reading abilities have greatly increased throughout this 4th grade year. This gift also provided white board markers so the students can work on Math problems at their desks (on small whiteboards) and hold them up when finished. This gives them an immediate way to show their answer and prove that they understand the concept we are working. This gift was the fantastic.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Bjarnson
This classroom project was brought to life by an Anonymous Classroom Supporter and one other donor.Let Math And Science Excitement Begin In Our Learning Process
Funded Feb 2, 2022This project has had a great benefit in classroom attention and it has been brought about through several different ways. The project consisted of some yoga balls, lots of white board markers, erasers, weather instruments, and sharpeners. When the students first saw the items they were most eager to help me open and unpack the items. The markers, erasers, sharpeners, instruments, and yoga balls we really needed and wanted. They enjoy hands-on work with these. There is nothing like demonstrating skills on a whiteboard. It allows for conversation and sorting out of the associated processes.
The yoga balls have turned out to be a great success (they take turns). Since I have so many students that are "full of lots of energy" it seems to be a motivating and relaxing chair for them to use at their desk (if they get too wild it goes away). I have just attended a conference where they demonstrated how the yoga balls can be placed on a tub and then used for a drum.
Students love to beat out rhythms of songs on the these drums. It offers relaxing moments and energizes their brains for other more intense learning moments. I can't wait to get them more involved with these because they enjoy them so much and there are so many benefits derived from the use of these "drumming sessions".
The markers are used often at their desks on their own whiteboards and I can instantly see their answers and I can quickly determine if they are mastering concepts or if I need to slow down and go into more detail.
They are students that are becoming more outgoing and deeper thinking as a result of these items.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Bjarnson
This classroom project was brought to life by Utah State Board of Education.Wobble Cushions Focusing Student Energy
Funded Nov 2, 2020Thank you so much for the twelve "Wobble Cushions" that were provided to my classroom for my 4th Grade students. They have been readily accepted by the students and they anxiously take turns spreading the use around among all of the 24 classmates. It is nice that they wanted the cushions immediately and still want their turn to "bounce away some of their cares" as they study and learn.
There was much enthusiasm when the cushions first arrived. I have a very high strung, high energy class. They need and want things to occupy their hands and little fidgets as they try to focus on the core subjects in class. In fact, they seem more receptive when some tactile object is present to absorb their anxiety energy and then their mind is free to concentrate on the lesson. It is almost like the cushion blends into their subconscious and they are free to really focus on the subject at hand.
I try to give them a taste of how education can work right into their future and can take them places they have never dreamed they could go. I know these cushions add to the moments that they can listen and feel the lessons. Even if it is in little spurts they are gaining insight and these "Wobble Cushions" expand the time they are receptive to new knowledge. We appreciate your gift and the outward expression that you care for our younger growing generation.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Bjarnson
Calculating the World Around Us
Funded Oct 30, 2019Thank you for helping us to receive calculators in our classroom. The impact of tools like these calculators will be felt for many years by these students. These calculators will benefit all levels of abilities in different students as they apply and learn their Math skills.
The calculators offer a new and exciting approach for letting the students confirm their Math calculations. Many times the students rush through their problems and calculations and don't realize they made a calculation error. These calculators will allow them to double check their work and catch their errors. This process will teach them a valuable skill to proof their work before they are done.
A section of students are still struggling with learning (by heart) their multiplication facts. They are unsure of using the facts and/or they are too slow at using them and they can not progress through the problems. These calculators will allow them to work through the process of problem solving and allow them to finish the process in a workable time frame. It is better to use a calculator and not get bogged down in the process rather than have them just give up because they do not know their multiplication facts.
I want you to know these calculators are appreciated and will greatly help our students achieve greatness. Thank you for your desire to help.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Bjarnson
This classroom project was brought to life by SONIC Drive-In and one other donor.Yes, You Can Have A Math/Science Education And Career.
Funded Oct 10, 2012Your donation of Math and Science tools comes at an important time in the education of my students. They certainly need skills and education in Science and Math to open doors into high level occupations. I wanted these extra tools to act as a catalyst to get them enthused about these subjects.
It is gratifying to see my students excited as they are using the donated Science and Math tools for our classroom. Their faces light up when they see white light break up into the colors of the spectrum as it passes through a prism. They enthusiastically talk to the class about characteristics of different planets. They ponder over temperatures outside and enjoy using a thermometer gun to register the heat of different car colors or outside objects. They smile as they understand how different fraction puzzle pieces are equivalent to each other. They are getting their hands into involved topics and enjoying it.
It is my hope that the next step for them will be to continue on in higher level Math classes and embrace higher level Science class. This excitement can be their springboard into continued Science and Math studies. They can really make something great out of their lives. I thank you once again and assure you that your donation is making a huge difference in the lives of young people.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Bjarnson