Past projects 26
Learning WHERE You Learn Best
Funded Mar 27, 2018The students were so excited when they first saw the resources. Sometimes the older students in the school sit on bean bag chairs, and the third graders were excited to have seating choices of their own. The students will get to use the new seating choices when they need a different place to sit. They are making up rules to care for the new pieces. They will be able to use them to sit and read or to write. Coming up soon, students are going to create a dance piece for arts integration. The new seating may be a great place for students to collaborate and talk about the project. Thank you so much for your donation. These new resources are a great pick-me-up for students in the 4th quarter!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Parsh
This classroom project was brought to life by Ripple.Activity Choices for Independent Thinkers
Funded Sep 25, 2017Thank you so very much for your generous donations. My class has been using the materials since they arrived. We use most of them during small group time. 4 or 5 students get into a group and work together to build a puzzle, correct sentences, spell words, find the meanings of new words, and write stories.
Students also use the materials during whole group time. For example, we are currently learning about fractions. The whole class takes out their dry erase boards and markers and draws rectangles and number lines. We practice partitioning. If anyone makes a mistake then it's just a quick erase with our dry erase markers.
Students love having choices and variety. They were so excited when the materials arrived. They sometimes ask to use certain practice materials or request a center if they haven't been to it in awhile. Then I know that they're really enjoying the learning.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Parsh
This classroom project was brought to life by Watson One More Foundation and 11 other donors.It's Time For....TIME For Kids!
Funded Oct 18, 2017Having the Time for Kids has been such a blessing. Students always have something fresh to read and enjoy. All of the materials included make teaching a breeze. There are many skills that my students need to work on, including main idea and key details and understanding vocabulary. The interesting non-fiction articles are great for building these critical reading skills.
We've also been able to use the TFK for small group instruction and homework assignments. It makes a great addition to the school curriculum. The students especially love articles about things they can relate to, such as the dolphins at the aquarium. Most of them have been to the National aquarium and seen the dolphins, so they were thrilled to hear Baltimore mentioned.
Thank you for your donation. I am so grateful that we were able to purchase such a tremendous resource. I love teaching with TFK, and the students love learning with it. Your generosity made this possible.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Parsh
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose.org Community and 7 other donors.Teaching for Creativity
Funded Aug 25, 2016My students and I are using the new resources daily. We do so much cutting and pasting and writing and drawing. The students were very excited as our supplies often run out. Glue, markers, and paper are disposable. Sometimes they aren't anymore, and we need to replenish. The class loves a new gluestick or brand new marker. It makes the assignment or project so much neater and brighter. We are currently learning long vowels in 2 syllable words, reading non fiction animal texts, and practicing 2 digit addition and subtraction. Word work, white board practice and responding to text utilizes all of our supplies. Thank you so much for the donations. They make a big difference in our learning and creative thinking.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Parsh
This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 7 other donors.Everyone Needs a Place to Sit!
Funded Aug 2, 2016The students are using the carpet squares for whole groups, small groups, and independent work. The carpet squares allow the students to pick a square and then come forward when it's time for whole group instruction. Then if it's time for independent reading, they can pick up their square and move anywhere in the room. Students can also use the squares to make groups like sitting a circle, or sitting side by side. The students were not expecting carpet squares. They're used to a big carpet. The carpet squares take up much less room and don't get dirty as quickly. They've really enjoyed using the carpets for a variety of reasons. They like the freedom of choosing where to sit and when to sit on them. The students will continue to use the carpet squares throughout the year for whole groups, small groups, and independent work. And they will be long-lasting for next year's students as well. Thank you so much for your donations! These carpet squares have made such a huge impact on the students, and we love using them.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Parsh
Legos Spark Creativity!
Funded Dec 17, 2015When my students first saw the materials, they were in a box marked "Lego." I wanted to surprise them, so I told them there was "secret stuff" in the box. They immediately asked if they could play with the Lego's. I told them that Lego's are for learning. They made strange faces. After I explained that we could use Lego's to build things like a setting from a story or an animal that we're learning about or use them to measure in math, they became very excited. Now they're brainstorming ideas of how we can use Lego's to go along with our learning. The classroom is going to have lego captains who will be responsible for making sure that the tiny pieces are returned to the box after students build and play and learn in our math and reading stations. Thank you so much for supporting our classroom with these fun materials.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Parsh
This classroom project was brought to life by Alcoa Foundation and 2 other donors.Construct and Create!
Funded Aug 27, 2015The students and I have been busy using the art supplies to create. We often use construction paper to create mini books that tell what happened in stories that we read. Also, in our current animal unit we made animal faces and were able to use the new paintbrushes to paint paper plates and the glue to place the googly eyes. The plates look so cute hanging in the hallway, and students have been writing down animal facts that they have learned about the animals. The students love the googly eyes and were very excited to use them. Next, we will be making holiday ornaments for the students to take home. We will use a mitten shape as we read the story, The Mitten by Jan Brett. Thank you again for your support. The materials are well used, and we appreciate the donations!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Parsh
Storage: Not Just for Grown-Ups!
Funded Mar 1, 2015As soon as my students saw the new seat sacks, they were excited and curious. After I told them about how kind people donated the money for us to buy them, they were even more excited. They also like the idea of being able to organize their desks and have more room for their materials. One student even said that it would help them be able to find things more easily. My students will primarily be storing their independent reading books in the seat sacks. This will make it easier for them to find their notebooks and folders in their desks by freeing up some space. Also, my students love to read, and the plastic bags where they keep their independent reading books are always ripping. The more durable seat sacks will be much better for storing books.
The pencil pouches that I chose arrived at just the right time. Students who have pencil pouches already are starting to see tears and broken zippers. They are excited for something new to hold their materials. Some students do not have a pencil pouch or box. This will help them keep their materials all in one place. Hopefully, there will be less crayons and pencils on the floor with this new place for storage. In addition, the pouches are the type that you decorate. Students will be working hard and using paint to make the pouches their own. We have not yet painted in class, and everyone is excited for that.
Having these items helps tremendously with keeping our classroom organized. It's much easier to read and write when students can find the supplies that they need. It will maximize our time on task. Thank you again for your support.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Parsh
Hermit Crab Habitats For Excited Scientists!
Funded Nov 8, 2013The students were very excited when the hermit crabs arrived. They excitedly created habitats and observed the hermit crabs as they walked around their cages. The students also were able to read the texts and take notes for their research. The students are learning to use their science journals and to follow the scientific method. Live creatures and non-fiction texts help us in becoming young scientists.
Thank you for your contribution and support for our students. As soon as the 3rd graders finish their research on how organisms survive in different habitats, the 2nd grade students will begin studying the hermit crabs and making observations about what a habitat is and how it meets the needs of animals.
Thank you again.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Parsh
USB Flash Drives for 3rd Graders!
Funded Nov 9, 2013Thank you so much for your generous contribution to our project. My students have been learning to use laptops, and they are ready to try making their own presentations. It is often difficult for students to always use the same laptop because we share them as a school. The USB drives eliminate that problem. Students can use any computer in the school, and they are able to save their work to their own flash drive. They are also learning valuable skills, such as how to save their work and use the appropriate technology to do so.
Thank you again for your support.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Parsh