Past projects 8
We ARE U.S. History: Including the Stories of Asian Americans
Funded Mar 31, 2025Providing our classroom "Made in Asian America: A History for Young People" has made for a deeper understanding of American History and is helping us to be more critical readers and thinkers.
In each unit of study, we read a collection of texts, reading about citizens from different backgrounds to understand how they experienced these moments in U.S. History similarly and differently. We have a set of questions we are looking to answer each unit in Civics, History, Economics and Geography. So, while we read these different narratives, we are also thinking about how the different disciplines would have looked at this time period. We do the work of historians.
Since our classroom is diverse, so should our readings be. We are all interested and invested in seeing ourselves in the faces of the past.
Thank you for giving us this opportunity to do so much in our classroom!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Adrian
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 8 other donors.Print Up the Possibilities
Funded Sep 13, 2022Thanks so much for this printer in my classroom. While my students work one to one on computers, now and again, they need a printout of their work or a handout in order to work on paper. This helps them to etch out their ideas on paper before they type it into the computer. It is also helpful when students have lost internet access at home. They can print their assignment, work at home, then continue typing in their work here at school-the best of both worlds.
I think what is most exciting about this technology for my students is quick access to printed copies when they need them. They no longer have to run all around school finding where a printed copy went, losing instructional minutes. It's right here.
Recently, our "CREW" (it's like advisory period) were tasked with writing a jingle or rap about their group, and then record it as a part of an annual competition we call CREW Games. My group has multi-language learners, so once the rap was constructed, we translated it into other languages so everyone could rap in an international way. Everyone got a printout, practiced and then performed. It was really special. All that from a little printer.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Adrian
Let Them Tell Their History: Students Study an Indigenous Perspective
Funded Feb 9, 2022My students are reading An Indigenous People's History of the United States and measuring it against other perspectives and texts from United States History.
We are first categorizing our notes into the four categories of Social Studies: Civics, Economics, History and Geography. Then, students and comparing different texts and perspectives. Why does the same time period, and possibly the same event look so different depending on who is telling the story? This will lead us into interesting discussions not only about history, but how we view media, but how media tells current event stories to us. This is such an important skill to learn as my students are just a few years away from becoming voters. I want them to be smart, educated, and media literate voters.
Thanks for giving my students the tools to understand not only the past, but also our present!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Adrian
This classroom project was brought to life by Black History Month Partners and 10 other donors."They Call Us Enemy": Enriching US History With Diverse Voices
Funded Jun 27, 2021Your donation that helped me to get a class set of "They Call Us Enemy" by George Takei will do so much to extend learning in my classroom.
First, for my learners who struggle reading text, this book is a graphic novel. This presents a different way to read; one with pictures in a high interest format. For my English as Second Language Learners, this type of formatting is crucial in learning the English language. For my students with learning disabilities, the pictures offer ways to help decode the words in front of them.
Second, "They Call Us Enemy" offers a first person narrative from the perspective of an Asian American who lived through a part of World War Two History that does not often get discussed. It is important for all of my students to get a full picture of US history; and so important for each of my students to see their faces reflected in the history they are a part of. In addition, many of my students will realize that George Takei is also a notable gay male figure, and he works tirelessly on human rights issues. To see his story represented in the classroom is empowering.
Third, I like to offer multiple texts to my students so that they can explore multiple perspectives and weigh evidence. It helps them become better critical thinkers and question askers. This book will be an important addition to round out this unit.
Again, thank you so much for your donation. It will mean so much to my students.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Adrian
Create a Happy and Safe Workspace for Students!
Funded May 4, 2020My students are in full remote learning right now. So I will have to thank you for future use.
As you can see from the pictures, my room is a one to one computer lab. The table it is replacing is right next to it and that one is falling apart. The kids will be so happy they don't have to sit at a table that sometimes falls apart into their laps.
In this classroom, students learn to become historians by investigating primary and secondary sources in order to draw their own conclusions about historical events.
Thank you for giving them a safe place to work.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Adrian
Dark Sky Rising: Realizing the American Dream
Funded Sep 25, 2019In my class we work with informational text to answer investigative questions. Our investigative questions for this unit are:
Essential Question: Has the Civil War ended?
Supporting Questions:
Civics: How can communities ensure justice for all its members?
Economics: How can segregation affect your ability to achieve economic success?
Geography: Why does where you are able to live matter?
History: How were people of color treated after the Civil War?
These questions are different in that there is no page that will give them a direct answer. Students examine many primary and secondary sources to conduct their investigations, but the book we read is really at the center. Students read and take organized notes that collect facts that help them to support the conclusions they come to at the end of the investigation.
After they collect this evidence, discuss their findings, they then write up their conclusions. Like true historians, students read, think about their questions and make connections between the content and their hypothesis.
Understanding the racist systems constructed in our collective past, students can appreciate not only how much we have grown and how much work we have left to do. Thank you for making this work possible by helping me to put Dark Sky Rising in my students' hands.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Adrian
Energize My Focus in a One to One Learning Environment!
Funded May 7, 2016I have an energetic group of students this year, many who struggle to focus. We work in a one to one computing environment, learning new technological skills while learning how to do a research investigation in Social Studies. It is challenging, but necessary skills that my students need. Anything that can reduce anxiety, reduce off task behavior and get them a bit of exercise at the same time is a magical thing.
As soon as the Bouncy bands were put on their chairs, the students started to use them. Later class periods asked what they were. When I explained, their faces lit up and many said, "Thank you Ms. Adrian!" and "I need this!". They immediately started to put them to use. Since we put them on the chairs, I often see kids immediately start to "bounce". What's beautiful about it is that not only is the movement subtle, but silent. It does not distract at all from the learning environment. Those who are tempted to get out of their seat now want to stay in their seat!
I am excited to see how my kids focus using these as we start our first big investigation on the Civil War. Kids will be learning lots of new skills, learning how to smartly traverse the web, weigh evidence and support conclusions. I am confident that these bands will help them to work hard and take on this first challenge!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Adrian
Don't Censor History: Real Stories Of The Past Come To Life
Funded Sep 14, 2010Thank you so much for funding my project. It is crucial for my students to learn how to evaluate information by looking at multiple sources. While I can get primary sources off of the Internet, readings that are grade level appropriate are hard to come by. With limited funding for schools due to the tight state budgets, it is difficult to purchase extra materials to challenge and compare ideas and stories presented in their textbooks. By funding this project, you have contributed to helping my students question what they read by viewing multiple sources.
In addition, you have contributed to making kids excited about Social Studies! Since these books are written about the every day individuals at the time, kids are instantly interested. I keep the books below their seats. Each day, I notice that there is at least one kid per class picking up the book on their own and choosing sections to read. Picking up a book on their own does not come easily for many of my students, so thank you again!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Adrian