Past projects 11
Kids Need More Than Just Desks!
Funded Sep 2, 2019Thank you so very much for donating to my latest proposal. The rug and extra furniture that were purchased with the funds that you donated have given my classroom both much needed organization and a "homey" kind of feeling for my students!
My students were so very excited to see the new rug! It makes it so much easier to manage them now that they each have their own spaces. It also allows me to move them around by simply telling them which square to go to. The chairs and beanbags make for a comfortable corner of the room where students can go to partner up, share their work, or simply read a book. It's a nice change from the desks that they normally sit at.
Going forward, I plan to have my students use the "cozy corner" on a rotating basis so that everyone gets a turn to feel special. Thank you again -- you've made this all possible!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Tennenbaum
This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 21 other donors.High Achieving Learners Need Comfort, Too!
Funded Dec 29, 2014Thank you so much for donating to my classroom project. My students have truly benefited from the addition of lapdesks.
Our school day is long. We have the latest lunch period (12:45-1:30) and most mornings are spent entirely in our classroom moving from subject area to subject area as the lesson (or bell) dictates. There are only so many areas in my room that the children can sit and work. They have their desks, the rug, and the floor. However, if they need to do any writing, they have to sit at their desks. Leaning on a folder or a book just doesn't cut it. Furthermore, when they sit at their desks, they are on top of each other and don't have much physical or creative space. That's why I thought of the lapdesks.
Now that we have the lapdesks, the children have more space to learn. During a test, I don't have to move desks anymore – they can just spread out around the room. If they are in the middle of a writing or math task and they feel cramped (either physically or creatively) they can grab a lapdesk and head anywhere that there is floor space. They are excited for a chance to use them and it has really helped not only their academics, but my classroom management as well.
Thank you again for your donation. Your generosity has, once again, made my classroom a better place to live and learn!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Tennenbaum
Learning Through ACTING!
Funded Jan 6, 2013This is just a small token of our gratitude for your donation to our school and classrooms. While this letter is only signed by me (through Donors Choose), your donation impacted not only my class but also the classrooms of Ms. Zeiger, Ms. Shaw, and Mrs. Pearce.
Our Kindergarten and 1st grade students benefited so much from the theatre program that your donation funded. The children were able to learn vocal and physical expression, improvisation, and playwriting, and were even able to work through some social-emotional issues with the drama activities that Carrie Ellman-Larsen had in her toolkit!
Since we do not have a full-time drama teacher at our school, this was the perfect addition to our very rigorous academic structure. The kids really loved letting go and playing â they didn't even realize how much they had learned until it was all over because they were having such a great time!
So from the bottom of our hearts, we all thank you â the teachers, the children, "Miss Carrie" â without your donation, this program would not have been possible.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Tennenbaum
This classroom project was brought to life by Ham Rove and 45 other donors.Little Math Minds Need Rekenreks!
Funded Jan 29, 2013This is just a small way for me to say a really big thank you for donating the rekenreks to my classroom and my students of this year and many years to come. The new common core standards are daunting and we need as many tools as possible to help us rise to our new expectations.
My school uses the Everyday Math program (for now.) This program, on the Kindergarten level, simply does not address the needs of our children in order to prepare them for the upcoming grades. It also does not prepare them for the performance tasks that they are asked to complete by the city.
We are having to design our own lessons in order to fill in the gaps. For me, the rekenreks have become a part of our daily math routines. We count, we skip-count, we add and subtract -- we simply explore numbers. They are a wonderful addition to our math center and I can't thank you enough.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Tennenbaum
Kindergarten is Crazy about Mo Willems!!
Funded Oct 9, 2012I cannot thank you enough for the contribution that you made to my classroom. While I am lucky enough to teach at a school where there are many supplies to be had, we teachers still spend much of our own money on what others might consider "extras." I consider them necessary.
Last year when I taught the reading and writing units based on the work of Mo Willems, it was very difficult to have the children work in pairs because they had to share a book. While it can be fun to pass a book back and forth, it definitely disrupts the fluency and the voice of the reader. The addition of TWO sets of Mo Willems' of Elephant and Piggie books makes it much easier for me to teach children to try out their own voices and much more fun for the children!
As a bonus, we are now also able to use the books in a theatre residency to be taught from April to June -- another Donors Choose success story! These books will impact not only my class this year, but for years to come. Thank you again.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Tennenbaum
Playing Equals Learning!
Funded Jan 20, 2012This note is just a small way for me to say thank you for all of your generous donations to my project. The money that you donated allowed me to bring more fun and games into the word study in my classroom. While my children were enjoying the word and picture sorts that we often do in and out of class, it was wonderful to be able to introduce games to them and watch them learn and hone their skills when they don't even know it!
The stamps that were purchased with your donations have also made a great difference. Each week, my students are able to use the stamps to press out the letters in their given sight words. Since I differentiate the sight words amongst all of my students (each one is different from the next), the stamps have given them a great tool with which to learn independently and individually.
In addition to the fabulous word-work games, I cannot tell you how much my children are loving the playdough and all of the fun accessories that came along with it. Friday Free Choice has taken on new meaning now that there is a "sculpting station." I have also used the playdough as a therapy tool -- giving it to some of my students who need a little bit of focus during my lessons. These children have been able to sit still and listen better simply by having a piece of playdough in their hands to squeeze.
In conclusion, I just want to say that I cannot thank you enough for your generosity. In today's economic climate, when teachers are spending so much of their own money, it is wonderful to know that there are people who care enough to help us out! Thank you SO very much!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Tennenbaum
Sing Your Way into PreK!
Funded Jul 12, 2005Thank you so much for funding this proposal. It is so important that early childhood education includes music. I know that the children will benefit greatly from your generosity.
Sincerely,
Lee ”
With gratitude,
Ms. Tennenbaum
A Space for Everyone!
Funded Jun 24, 2005Thank you SO much for funding the proposal to buy my students a rug for the library! I just know that having their own spaces will make the biggest difference in not only their behavior, but their work, as well. I am so pleased that you chose my proposal to fund. Thank you again SO very much”
With gratitude,
Ms. Tennenbaum
Chris Van Allsburg All the Way!
Funded Apr 21, 2005Thank you so much for the Chris Van Allsburg books!! It will make such a difference to all the grades, but especially my 4th graders who just LOVE him! Your generosity is greatly appreciated!! Thanks again”
With gratitude,
Ms. Tennenbaum
We Love Junie B. Jones!
Funded Apr 20, 2005Thank you so much for your generosity in funding my proposal! I know that all the grades will appreciate the new Junie B. Jones and Lemony Snicket books! I am so happy that you chose this proposal to fund. Thanks again”
With gratitude,
Ms. Tennenbaum