Past projects 6
What? We Eat That?
Funded Feb 12, 2019Our students looked forward to this field trip for months! Many of them have never ridden in a school bus so that was the first exciting thing to happen the day of the trip! They sang songs, laughed, and talked all the way downtown!
After we arrived at the Myriad Botanical Gardens we split into three groups to tour the gardens. The first group headed in to learn about the different parts of plants and what we eat from plants. The students were surprised to learn that we ate not only the leaves and stems of some plants, but the root and flower as well! They were able to take turns creating interesting mixes of salads to "eat".
The second group headed upstairs to learn about all of the interesting plants we eat that we may have never been aware of. Students were intrigued that chocolate, cinnamon, and even root beer comes from a plant! As students looked at the different foods on the table, they did their best to decide which part of the plant it came from.
The third group headed into the conservatory to participate in a scavenger hunt! The goal was to find as many things on the list as possible in the allotted time. The students scurried around looking at the plants and signs, while marking things off the list. They were also able to cross over a bridge and check out a roaring waterfall. They even have a parrot to meet while in the conservatory. This was the most loved and talked about part of the field trip.
The students really enjoyed eating sack lunches outdoors while talking about everything they had seen and learned. They were even more excited to head over to the Children's Garden park for some playtime.
After we returned from the field trip we spent a couple more days wrapping up our plant unit. We even took what we learned about how a plant grows to plant our very own seeds in a cup. Right now we are enjoying watching our wildflowers grow wildly!
Thank you again for your generosity in making this field trip happen! We all had a blast!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Marinelli
The Daily Tech
Funded Mar 27, 2018Thank you very much for the iPad mini and protective case for our classroom. My first grade students' favorite time of the day is our Daily Five time. During this time my students work on words, work on writing, listen to reading, read to themselves, and read with someone. Students are able to move around the room and work in small groups. They enjoy taking responsibility for their learning.
One of the exciting ways students can use the iPad mini for working on words is through an app called Spelling City. Students are able to play games that focus on the ten words we are working on that week.
A different way to use the iPad mini during listening to reading is using a QR code to link to a story read aloud, an app called Teach Your Monster To Read, and another called Farfia.
Students can also earn the privilege of free iPad time to enjoy games such as Starfall, GoNoodle Kids, Hooked on Phonics, or PBS Kids. These games focus on letters, letter sounds, reading skills, math, and even movement activities!
All students enjoy using the mini iPad as a variation from the regular way of learning in the classroom. They enjoy having freedom of choice, freedom from pencil and paper activities, and the ability to move around the classroom and sit in a variety of places. Students often use points they have earned in the classroom to "buy" free mini iPad time.
We are more than appreciative to have another iPad mini in our classroom so that more students can benefit from a new, exciting way of learning!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Marinelli
This classroom project was brought to life by Ripple and 4 other donors.Rebuilding From The Ground Up!
Funded Jun 17, 2013Words cannot express my thankfulness for all that has been provided to rebuild my classroom! After the devastation of a natural disaster, it is hard to imagine rebuilding and having everything you need to have an exciting, inviting, comfortable, functioning classroom again.
My students love learning through hands-on activities, so having things such as large magnetic letters, alphabet and number dough stampers, and rubber stampers to use during word work time is a must! They also love the variation of doing a paper in a reusable write and wipe pocket with a dry-erase marker and eraser.
I love having a variety of activities so that I can provide different ways for the students to practice what they are learning each and every day. Thank you for your part in rebuilding my classroom from the ground up!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Marinelli
Plaza Towers - Building Back A Classroom With LOVE!!!
Funded Jul 25, 2013What an amazing project! This project was filled with things that teachers only dream of! When my students walked through the door on Back To School Night in August I watched as their eyes lit up and smiles filled their faces. They knew this classroom would be like no other they had been in. They are well aware that their teacher lost all of her things in the May tornado and it feels them with such happiness that we were provided for...and then some!
My students love learning through hands-on activities, so when it is Center Time they all jump at the chance to pick one of the bins of math counters, pattern blocks, unifix cubes, or the science specimen sets out of the cubby storage unit. They love practicing their weekly spelling words on the Mini I-pads or curling up in the Book Nook to enjoy a good book.
I love having the comfort of a Glider Rocker to sit in during Story Time as I read to my students and a thick, cushioned office chair to slide into when I have a moment to work at my desk. The convenience of my very own color printer and laminator nearby is a dream come true! I am able to do so much in the comfort of my very own classroom!
My students and I all feel so very blessed to have a safe, warm, cozy, comforting classroom to come into every day. When we walk in the room, we can't help but be happy and ready to learn in the inviting atmosphere that has been created.
Thank you so much for your part in making my dream classroom come true!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Marinelli
Tornado = An Empty Art Supply Cabinet!
Funded Aug 16, 2013As a career teacher, one thing you can always count on is a full art supply cabinet. We collect things constantly; storing them away for the day that they are needed for a project. After the tornado reduced my classroom to nothing but rubble in the May 20th tornado, I was worried about how I would fill up my cabinet for that spur of the moment art project! I knew the only way to build back my supply was to write a project for Donor's Choose.
When we returned to school in August I was so excited to organize and put away all of my new art supplies. Just opening the cabinet door brings a smile to my face! In that cabinet is everything we need to create an art project, as well as items that can be used to make learning fun and exciting!
Some of my students favorite things so far have been the alphabet and number stampers, the Play-Dough set and dough design rollers, the stamp pads, and the Trace & Cut Practice Stencils. One of our very first art projects was designing a self portrait poster for every student to display in the classroom. We have also used several of the Instant Craft Kits and use the Dot Art Painters with our special "Gumball Math" program every few days. Every time I open the art cabinet the students look eagerly to see what I will pull out next.
Thank you so much for providing my students with the supplies they need to be creative and imaginative.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Marinelli
Furnishing After A F5
Funded Jul 12, 2013Words cannot express how thankful I am to have had this project funded. Upon realizing that I would have nothing to take out of the rubble that was left of my classroom from the May 20th tornado, my thoughts immediately went to how I would be able to provide a warm, welcoming, learning environment for my new students in the 2013-2014 school year. I was introduced to Donor's Choose by a dear friend and was encouraged to see that having my dream classroom once again was a reachable goal.
When my new 1st grade class entered the classroom on Back To School Night you could see their faces light up with excitement and interest as they explored the room. They couldn't wait to try the new centers and sit on the big circle rug for group time. As we started our first day of school, I explained to them how I had received all of the wonderful things in our classroom from generous donors all over the United States. I know it must have warmed their hearts to know that people that don't even know us care enough to help us rebuild, refurnish, and recover from the monster tornado.
Throughout the first semester of school, my first graders have enjoyed gathering on the round carpet for Circle Time, breaking up into small groups and exploring the Instant Learning Centers, curling up on the beanbags to listen to a story with the Read Along Listening Center, and building writing skills with the Tabletop Writing Center.
We are full of appreciation for those that went above and beyond and gave from the bottom of their hearts to ensure that we returned to a "normal" classroom full of everything we could possibly need to make learning fun!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Marinelli