Past projects 9
Science Alive with Squishy Circuits
Funded Aug 22, 2018Thank you for the Squishy Circuit materials! We learned so much about electrical circuits that the students all showed mastery by the end of the week. The batteries were so strong and fresh we noticed they lit the bulbs up brightly and also grew warm if left too long in their holders. This helped teach the concept that energy is heat and light. Then we added little alarms to the circuits and that demonstrated energy is sound.
It was such a pleasure to pull out all the necessary items to allow students to explore.
Hands-on exploration is key, especially to reaching English Language Learners and those populations with limited exposure to science concepts.
Thank you for giving to our classroom and to this project.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Marshall
This classroom project was brought to life by The Rebuild Texas Fund and 2 other donors.Literature + Coding = Codeature!
Funded Mar 30, 2018In my professional development I kept hearing these particular books recommended to encourage computational thinking. I made a list for over a year, and finally put them altogether for this Donor's Choose project. It has been wonderful to be a fly on the wall watching who is attracted to this new basket of books.
Girls are especially attracted to the basket, because it represents strong women who were mathematicians forever ago. I love hearing names of early leaders in computational thinking, such as Ada Lovelace, discussed among students.
Some students are attracted to the bright colors and playful literary language. "I would like the fairy tale book the other student was reading," explained one student. Turns out she was seeking the "Once Upon a Time Online" book!
The boys enjoy "But It's Just a Game" and "When Charlie McButton Lost Power" because they can relate to the characters. These resources actively talk about digital citizenship and how it affects others when we get cranky with electronics.
Thank you for supporting this asset for the classroom. I hope it will add to world peace!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Marshall
This classroom project was brought to life by Carnegie Corporation and 2 other donors.Science Research With Irresistible Books
Funded Oct 13, 2016Dear Donors,
I hope you see from the photos the happy reaction upon opening our boxes of delivered materials. Immediately the students began enjoying the beautiful science books. With the wide range of topics, the students will find something new all year. All of the books are making it into our "Book Talk" each morning, where students share favorite parts of books read during independent reading time.
Thank you for your trust in our readers. They will make excellent use of the materials. I am so appreciative of your support and generosity.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Marshall
Life Cycles and Life Science Excitement
Funded Jun 12, 2016Dear Kind and Generous Donors,
Thank you for believing in books, science, and 2nd grade students! The boxes of specimens, colored photos and artifacts are WONDERFUL additions to the classroom. All students are inspired to ask questions and explore animals and insects because the boxes are irresistible. These are great to have in a station for both those who need more exposure and those who are ready to go further in their learning. Although the tasks are quite academic, the students feel it is a privilege to have hands on learning.
The science books have wider impact than I imagined, as they include subjects such as trains and other transportation, and difficult topics such as evaporation and measurement. I am thrilled. The students in class are both English Language Learners, Title One, and Gifted, so these resources serve ALL of their needs. Thank you again and again!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Marshall
This classroom project was brought to life by Orkin and 4 other donors.Changing the World, One Book at a Time
Funded Oct 13, 2015For the students with absolutely no English or even school experience, these books are perfect. The books have photos and labels of simple, familiar nouns like mother, sister, bus and dog. We often pull out the books to help us communicate with these new students. Students fluent in English love to grab a box of books to read with the students who are just learning. The books are colorful and snazzy with cool cutouts and textures.
I was so impressed with the texture/feel books that I ordered some for gifts. Our school recently started a tutoring program with volunteers. Your gift provided the reading materials for use by the tutors and ESL students! Thank you for your generosity so that our school wide program is prepared to educate those newest to America. Educators, volunteers and students appreciate you mightily!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Marshall
Science Collaborators
Funded Aug 24, 2014Thank you, again, for your awesome support of Science Collaborators. My students have definitely used technology to discuss what we are doing in outdoor classroom settings. Students created videos by compiling photographs and videos from work in the garden and in the weather station. They published evidence of caterpillars, growth of seedlings, and measurements of plants.
Adult teachers and volunteers communicate back to the students on an online Edmodo school garden page. Parent and community volunteers are appreciative of the evidence of learning and absorbing of all that is provided in the school garden. This gift of technology has improved community relations.
I am happy to report that because students are thrilled to use the Chromebook, they take excellent care of this gift.
Warmest regards and thank you again, for your support.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Marshall
This classroom project was brought to life by Gates Foundation Back To School and 5 other donors.Scientific Collaboration
Funded Oct 14, 2014Your gift of technology helped inspire these third graders to share their enthusiasm for science. Whenever they found something related to science, whether it be a tomato that sprouted in the refrigerator, the skull of an animal found on a farm, or a polished rock brought back from a vacation, the students would clamor to post an explanation on our online Edmodo science group.
When we studied earth science, a student posted a clay rendering of how a volcano builds up land, and asked questions to be answered by fellow students.
As garden experts, students were allowed to photograph younger students being introduced to garden concepts. My students acted as reporters and shared what was happening in our school garden. Adults who had toiled in the garden to provide this outdoor classroom were thrilled to see how it was being used to further our understanding of nature.
Truly this has been an excellent choice to fund. Thank you so very much.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Marshall
Flipped Classroom Supplies
Funded Oct 4, 2013My students were thrilled and impressed with the iPads in the classroom! They have taken super care of them and used them for great academic learning. While we definitely have made use of flipped classroom videos in math, I realize now how helpful the iPads have been for far more than just flipped math lessons.
Reports on science explorations, digital storytelling of fables and personal narratives, and using QR codes for grammar and math workshops have invigorated the students. None of the students has an iPad at home. From the early morning arrival, when they beg to check weather reports, to the end of the day when they hope for an opportunity to explore math and science apps, the students look to the technology as a prize and reward. What is awesome is that they are educating themselves each time they turn them on.
Our school does not provide classroom iPads, and our iTouches are outdated without cameras. Because of this gift, students have created wonderful movies and explanation of our class exploration. Having the iPads has gone beyond my hopes and expectations.
Thank you for your generosity of spirit. You have truly made a difference.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Marshall
Creek In The Classroom
Funded Oct 3, 2012This is just a small token of my gratitude for your generosity. The River Eco System has added so much to the students in my class, and all the visitors from around the school. We have used it to measure in math, to study life cycles in science, and to maintain journals.
The population in our class had been nomadic. Students join us every month, and as they do, I introduce them to the aquarium. They were invited to add to the journal on their first days of class. This is a wonderful welcome and distracts new students from missing their previous schools.
The new understanding of nature has been fabulous. For behavior management, I offer the privilege of feeding the fish and frogs, or turning off and on the light. At first the fish food was scary and smelly...no longer! It's a big classroom event when we suction out dirty water. I am happy to report the animals and plants are flourishing well.
Thank you for bringing nature to our classroom. With donors like you, the United States will be successful in educating our next generations.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Marshall