Past projects 8
A Sensory Output Classroom!
Funded Mar 27, 2018I'm still in shock, and just blown away by your generosity. This is such a gift for our entire school, and will be used by multiple groups on a daily basis. My special needs kids will obviously benefit, but all of our kids who need a safe place to express themselves will reap the rewards of your giving as well!”
With gratitude,
Ms. McGann
This classroom project was brought to life by Ripple and 8 other donors.Wiggle While We Learn!
Funded Dec 23, 2017First of all, your generosity is overwhelming and appreciated. Toward the end of this project, when it looked like it might not get funded, I used my annual classroom allocation to purchase a set of stools, because I didn't want to risk my kids not having them. Then, out of the blue, the funds for the wobble stools came in, because of your good-hearted donation. At the same time, another teacher at my school, a third grade teacher, had the same project listed, but did not get hers funded. I wanted to pass on your generosity to her class, so that her kids would have the same opportunity. I have talked to several of the kids, and they LOVE the chairs. They use them for small group instruction, and the kids tell me their teacher doesn't fuss at them about wiggling around anymore. The kids are happy, the teacher is happy, and I am thrilled for them all.”
With gratitude,
Ms. McGann
Learning To Read
Funded Feb 21, 2017Before this school year, my students could not find pictures that matched the words I was teaching them. Each one has come so far, but could not advance further with their reading skills without books that they felt confident trying to read. Now they can recognize picture icons, and speak them in the context of a sentence. This is the next step in their reading journey, and each one of my kids is eagerly embracing it. Each book has repeating sight words, and seeing those words in the context of a story will help my students learn and remember them. I predict that my kids will be reading, with minimal guidance, by this time next year, thanks to you. That may not sound like much of a goal, but to my kids and their parents, it is EVERYTHING.”
With gratitude,
Ms. McGann
If We Build It, They Will Come!
Funded Jan 19, 2016Prior to receiving our new bookshelf, our class had just received a donation of a brand new set of books, and the first thing the kids asked was, "Ms. McGann, where are we going to put them?" I hadn't told them about the bookshelf, but I knew it was on the way. Fortunately, the books arrived on Friday, and the shelf on Monday. The kids unpacked it and decided where it would go, so they took ownership of their reading area. Then they worked cooperatively to decide how it should be organized. They use the classroom library as a literacy center, and each child spends about fifteen to twenty minutes a day there, sometimes more.
Every afternoon one student makes sure the shelves are organized, and that our library looks neat. They have really taken pride in the area.”
With gratitude,
Ms. McGann
We Want to Read
Funded Dec 31, 2015My classroom has become a different place since the arrival of our books. The kids were so excited when that huge box arrived, and they immediately began sorting the books by subject. Then they sat down together and chose which ones looked the most interesting to them.
Each day, as part of our Reading and Language Arts program, the kids use the classroom library to practice their reading skills and expand their knowledge base of topics they would not normally read about. The better readers sometimes read to the ones who struggle the most. In all, they are starting to develop an interest in books, which is something they did not have before.”
With gratitude,
Ms. McGann
Investigate, Experiment and Explore!
Funded Dec 9, 2014Your donation of materials has helped immeasurably in making science interesting and relevant to my students. Due to budget issues and an increase in our school's population, it took us a very long time to get materials in the classroom this year. The STEM Science magnet, water and motion centers we received alleviated some of the pressure of having to "invent" interesting ways to keep the kids engaged. Several of them have expressed interest in trying the activities different ways, and children who have never asked "what" or "why" questions have begun to show their curious sides. Your gift has meant the world to them. Thank you from all of us.”
With gratitude,
Ms. McGann
Pause...For Effectiveness!
Funded Dec 10, 2013Have you ever had to try and figure something out, but it seemed like everything was moving too fast? You heard the directions, and you try your hardest to keep up, and you know that you could if everything would just slow down? That's how it is with my students. They are smart, and clever, but they don't process information at a rate comparable to their peers. That's why I set up this project. I needed a way to put the world on pause to give them a chance to catch up.
Being able to pause the activities we do, so that each child has a chance to think about what's being asked, has made all the difference for my students. I can give them as much time as they need to complete the activity we are working on.
When reading a book on CD, I can pause the story so that the kids can interact with it. They love it when I re-read certain parts in a funny voice, or let them re-tell it in their own words. This brings the story to life for them, and adds a new dimension to the activity.”
With gratitude,
Ms. McGann
This classroom project was brought to life by Central Florida Kia Dealers and 4 other donors.Special Kids With Special Needs
Funded Nov 19, 2013After receiving the phonics listening center that your donations purchased, we immediately began to use it. After our whole group reading lesson each morning, we break into small groups for follow-up mini lessons and activities. The kids love the brightly colored dry erase sheets. They know that they can practice their letters and sounds without fear of making a mistake, because the sheets wipe right off if they do. The musical pieces that come with the lesson CD are fun and giddy, and the kids are developing their own rhythm to their studies.
My kindergarten and first grade students are using the activities to practice letter formation, and my third and fifth graders are using them to help with sight word recognition and sound combinations. Your generosity has made a huge impact on my students. They love learning.”
With gratitude,
Ms. McGann
This classroom project was brought to life by Central Florida Kia Dealers and one other donor.