Past projects 4
The Technology and Mathematics of STEM brought to Life
Funded Mar 8, 2016My students now have access to 10 tablets, and even if they have to share until I can get some more tablets, they have been an asset to our learning environment. They know socially how they can be used and now they can add the educational use to their knowledge - base. Your investment was well worth it. When my students found out we were going to actually get the tablets they were ecstatic, but unsure about how they were going to use them. The ability level of my students range from 3-4 years above to 3-4 years below and with the addition of the tablets each and every one of my students get an opportunity to work at their instructional level at their own pace individually and with a partner. Students are excited to know that they have taught a peer a skill without my intervention. My students are on individual assignments based on their needs. The tablets are convenient and allow my students to work where they want without being confined to a desk. The excitement for their learning is overwhelming. The most exciting thing about the new tablets is that they have access to them 5 days a week, and, as a result, we do not have to put off research, practice, teachable moments, and coding because we are not scheduled to have the product. Since they know the tablets are ours, they take very good care of them - a sense of responsibility has emerged from this gift. In addition, they are excited about their new way of learning, which only includes me as the facilitator.
They are really excited about coding. Many of them have never been exposed to coding. They have turned it into a competition among themselves. They work on coding in pairs and discuss their options with their partner to complete the level that they are on. Spatial perception and critical thinking is a must have, so to address that they are in pairs based on weaknesses and strengths. They are so excited and look forward to the day when they work on it during the week. I hope that this will spark a career interest for some of them in the STEM field. This is just the beginning.
One of my students has special needs, and the coding experience is very special for him. He has a partner who is very understanding of his needs and they work well together. He is becoming a whiz at coding, and it is so great when I see his reaction when they conquer their level. This also gives him the extra time that he needs without pressuring him, because he works at is own pace and his partner does not, otherwise, push him. Your contributions have made many of my children happy, he is just one that immediately comes to mind. Thank you again for all that you have done for my students. Kudos!!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Cole
21st Century Mathematics
Funded Feb 11, 2016My students now have access to 10 tablets and even though they have to share, until I can get more, they have been an asset to our learning environment. The students know socially how the tablets can be used, and now they can add the educational use to their knowledge base. Believe me when I say your investment was well worth it.
When my students found out we were going to actually receive the tablets they were ecstatic, but unsure about how they were going to use them. The ability level of my students ranges from very low to very high, and with the addition of the tablets, I am able to address the needs of very student in a timely manner. Each student has an opportunity to work at their instructional level individually at their own pace or with a partner. Students are excited to know that they have taught their peer a skill without my intervention. My students are on individual assignments based on their needs. The tablets are conveniently located in my room for easy access, Whenever they need to use them, they have access and because they are portable, they are convenient and allow my students to work where they would like without being confined to a desk. The excitement is overwhelming.
The most exciting thing about the new tablets is that they have access to them the entire week, and as a result, they do not have to put off research, practice, script writing, and just teachable moments because we are not scheduled for them. Since they know the tablets are ours, they take very good care of them - a sense of responsibility has emerged from this gift. In addition, they are excited about their new way of learning, which puts me in more of a facilitation role.
I have a student that is in a category all by himself, several years above grade level. This allows him to work at his instructional level and gain the knowledge that will continue to push him forward. He loves this opportunity. He is very motivated since he can do the lessons that match his needs, and not have to work with his classmates that are below his instructional level. He also gets personal time with me. This is what he has been waiting for.
I just want to thank each and everyone of you again. This continues to be a marvelous experience for me and my students. My goal is get more so students can have their own tablet and not have to share. You have made a world of difference in their educational lives.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Cole
This classroom project was brought to life by Orkin and 5 other donors.Show and Tell: Building Mathematical Literacy
Funded Oct 20, 2009I cannot thank you enough for the document camera. Although we ran into some technical difficulties at the beginning, it has turned out to be one of the best investments made in my classroom. My students love using it and I love being able to give them the opportunity. I have seen my students use mathematical vocabulary more now than they had prior to our receiving the document camera. It has been instrumental in building mathematical literacy in my students.
I have a wide range of student abilities in my classroom and the document camera has given my students access to the thinking of EVERYONE in the class. Now we have more time for everyone to share their thinking and work with the entire class since students do not have to spend time rewriting their work (which they were reluctant to do). My students work out errors ,if any, together through open discussion. In addition, they also get a chance to see multiple ways to get a solution to a problem.
My first WOW experience was when one of my special needs students volunteered to show and explain one of our math problems. He did it with such confidence and expertise that he left the entire class speechless. This is a child who normally responds to only basic fact type questions and has trouble focusing. The document camera motivated him in such a way that the outcome was great. I am expecting to hear from him more often, voluntarily. Thanks!!
Lastly, I knew that the document camera would be a useful tool for the classroom, but I never expected such results so soon. When a student is up using the document camera the rest of the class is really attentive. They examine the problem carefully before asking questions of the student and they use mathematical vocabulary more frequently and correctly. Once again, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Cole
Picture Perfect Geometry in Our World
Funded May 4, 2008Thank you so very much for the donation you made towards our project. We are really looking forward to getting started. It is designed to assist my students in seeing their city in a completely different prospective - Geometrically! It is also going to bring their textbook knowledge to life and strengthen their teamwork skills. We look forward to sending you pictures of the work in progress and of the finished project. Once again, thank you”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Cole