Ms. Mikolajewski's Classroom Edit display name

Past projects 16

• Great Books For Growing Readers and Leaders

  Funded Oct 25, 2018

  Thank you for donating to our classroom library. Currently I am out on maternity leave, but I know when I return in December my students will anxiously be awaiting my arrival because of the addition of the books to the library. I have quite a few students who are making their way through The Wings of Fire Series, so having extra copies will be extremely helpful. In addition to this series, I was able to purchase a few other popular current reads that some of my student's are looking forward to reading. Lastly, the graphic novels will allow the students to compare how changing the mode and method of the writing can impact the reader's experience. Not only will these books help deepen my student's love of reading, but they will also aid in developing their understanding of the standards mapped out in the Common Core. Time and time again, I am so thankful for organizations like Donors Choose and for people like you who are willing to support my students who will impact the future of our great country.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Mikolajewski

  This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose.org Community and 4 other donors.

• New Library Books

  Funded Mar 24, 2018

  My students were truly appreciative of the books that you donated to our student library. Without your help, we wouldn't have been able to add these popular titles. We are fortunate to have a lot of books in our collection, but we were specifically looking to add these authors and series.

  Each class day we have about 20 minutes of independent reading. With the help of your generosity we were able to add new titles from some of our favorite authors.

  After our classmate Maya started enjoying Wings of Fire, many of us wanted to continue to read the other books that follow. After we had the opportunity to meet and listen to Jason Reynolds, we realized that our library was lacking some of his books. Thank you again for believing in us, and supporting the idea that leaders, empathetic and compassionate and productive citizens are created through reading literature.

  Thank you again.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Mikolajewski

• Make World Changers

  Funded Sep 19, 2016

  I was thrilled when the funding went through on my Donors Choose project. This year, I wanted to inspire my students with the idea that they could influence their world immediately. By identifying their passions, and developing their creative energies, and equipping themselves with knowledge, their world could be improved.

  In order to tackle this huge goal, I decided to have my students work on a year-long culminating middle-school project based around developing a TED-talk. Since most of my students love technology, I knew it would not be difficult to have them watch and view other TED-Talks to gain insight and provide criticism about what makes a good performance (plus they would get a break from hearing my voice :) ). I knew the hesitancy would come when I told them that they, too, would be speaking in front of an audience. In order to build their confidence up in this area, we have been working with Maya Penn's You Got This and Carmine Gallo's Talk Like Ted. Through the knowledge that we gained in these books, we have created vision boards, engaged in writing prompts, discussed real-world pressing issues, and set learning targets for the spring semester. My classroom of students is diverse and eclectic and your resources will help us celebrate that in a powerful way.

  We are all so appreciative of your assistance in making our dreams one step closer to reality. My students are our future leaders, and by helping us build our confidence and our passions, you've helped make the world a tiny bit better.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Mikolajewski

  This classroom project was brought to life by the estate of Dorothea Lutz and 2 other donors.

• Graphing Made Easy

  Funded Dec 28, 2009

  Thank you so much for your donation to our classroom.  I can assure you that the resources will be continued to be put to good use. The students were so happy to have the markers and coordinate plane wipe-off boards.  You have saved them the energy of having to draw out so many grids. It also helps to reduce "empty" instruction time that sometimes occurs when they have to draw out their graph paper.  With the paper supplies at our school being limited, these wipe-off boards are a godsend. We really appreciate your donation, and thank you once again for your support. You have made a positive investment in our future.

  Sincerely,

  Miss M.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Mikolajewski

• Projects Galore

  Funded Feb 24, 2009

      Thank you for your generous donation to my classroom. I was so excited to hear that my project received funding from Donors Choose. Teaching special education in an urban setting can be a very stressful job, and the project supplies you bought for my classroom will make the last few months of school a little less stressful.  

      The kids are also very appreciative.  We use the computer to type up projects and book reports because many of my students have trouble with their penmanship.  The ink to our printer costs somewhere around $100 a cartridge and we were running low, so the ink that you purchased for us will be used immediately.  We have already put the Mr. Sketch markers to use for our service learning project and we have also used them for everyday learning.  These are high quality markers that will be able to be reused.

      I had the children handwrite the cards that we sent you.  Please be mindful that we brainstormed the letter together and that they tried their best when copying the note from the board and decorating it.  Most of my children are on kindergarten or early first grade reading levels, although they are much older.  They really do appreciate all that you have given to us.

  Thanks again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Mikolajewski

• We're Not A "Dropout Factory"

  Funded Feb 26, 2008

  Thank you so much for your contribution to our classroom. I am so excited right now. I was able to share my joy with my children and we can't wait to use the materials that you have purchased for us.

  We are preparing for our state-wide testing right now and this material will help make some of our lessons more interesting. We really enjoy reading when it's something that we like.

  Thanks so much. We will put your materials to good use.

  Miss ”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Mikolajewski