Mrs. Rook's Classroom Edit display name

Past projects 21

• Pass, Set, Hit?

  Funded Dec 6, 2019

  Thank you again for your generous donation of the Wilson Softplay Volleyballs. Having new equipment was exciting for the students - especially when I explained that they were softer for skill training. However, seeing them actually having fun using them was exciting for me!

  With our tournament level equipment the balls can be very hard. In the past students have not wanted to play because it hurts their arms too much. Having the Softplay volleyballs makes it easier for unskilled players to enjoy the game. The impact of the ball against arms is not as hard and does not hurt as much.

  With the softer training volleyballs, students are a bit more aggressive in play which makes the game more exciting, which helps them to enjoy the game, which means they are more active! The impact will now be lifelong as students who have not wanted to play in the past can play far into the future!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Rook

• Hard to Digest?

  Funded Jul 25, 2019

  There are rare cases when a certain resource sparks creativity in all students. The Digestive System Model you graciously donated to my Health classroom did just that! Having a tangible study tool has definitely increased memorization, and in turn, learning.

  Thanks to many donors, such as yourself, I now have six body system models. So the initial impact of the digestive system model was good. However, when we began adding the hands-on to our lessons I saw eyes open wider with "light bulb" moments. The model was used in small groups as each took their turn "teaching" the different parts of the system to their classmates. Some came in on their own time to use the model for study and quizzing each other! Therefore, the impact of the model you have donated has definitely increased understanding of the human body. In turn, they can relate this to themselves and how to better take care of their bodies.

  As a class, we will continue to study the body systems. I believe knowledge and physical activity are great forms of health insurance for our students. Thank you for playing a part in helping them to understand how their bodies work and how to take care of themselves, and in turn family members!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Rook

• Polo Anyone?

  Funded Feb 13, 2019

  I work hard to engage my students in physical activity. However, sometimes they just choose not to be engaged. With the inclusion of the "ultrafoam polo" equipment you generously provided, things changed up a bit. The students' first reaction was, "What is that?" Then, when we began playing I found that no one was just standing around! Even students who hate to be active were playing! They were running (some for the first time), smiling, interacting, and having fun all at once! This small addition to my curriculum has made a major impact with the students in all of those areas. When a class was over the students whined and wanted to keep playing. When the unit was over they were verbally sad. They always made comments about how fun the game was and could not wait to play it again. Thank you, ten times over, for providing this equipment so I could get that reaction from ALL students. We all look forward to the next game!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Rook

  This classroom project was brought to life by ESPN and 4 other donors.

• "Leg Bone Connected To The..."

  Funded Mar 27, 2018

  Thank you so much for your unselfish donations to my students! During our Skeletal System Unit, the students were able to get serious about learning with the addition of your set of dis-articulated bones. This allowed them to can get in smaller groups and spend time learning more intimately. This eliminated those students feeling left out in a larger group.

  The students were excited when we first opened the box! They began picking up the pieces and trying to discover which bone they were holding! There were a lot of wrong answers, giggles, and excitement but they were able to identify some initially.

  With this particular model the students will now work in groups to "connect the leg bone to the..." to see how our bodies are actually put together.

  Thank you so much for your generosity. My students excitement proves that this donation program works to bring so much more into their world!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Rook

  This classroom project was brought to life by Ripple.

• Frisbee in a "Kan"!

  Funded Oct 23, 2017

  I work in a school distract that has a high level of poverty and budget cuts on a regular basis. This makes life challenging for us teachers to provide different resources for our classrooms. If not for programs like Donors Choose, and thoughtful people, such as yourselves, our classrooms would definitely be lacking.

  As you can see from the thank you letters, the students thoroughly enjoyed the Kan Jam Frisbee games. When I first introduced the concept to them they were clueless. We normally have a Frisbee unit that includes Ultimate Frisbee. However, many students participate minimally due to the amount of running involved. With Kan Jam, every student participated, improved and upped their game! It was evident that this new experience was just the ticket to involve all students no matter their level.

  Thank you so much for your kindness. Thank you for helping me improve my curriculum. Thank you for helping me introduce a new game to my students. Thank you for thinking of my students well-being and giving them this opportunity.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Rook

  This classroom project was brought to life by The Clorox Company and 3 other donors.

• Dry Bones Come Alive!

  Funded Mar 30, 2017

  Thank you so much for the four skeletal models for my classroom! When they arrived the students were happy and excited, especially my 9th graders! They were ready to dive into studying the skeletal system knowing we had more than 2 models for 26 people!

  During the skeletal unit our classroom was littered with small groups studying and testing each other on the bones as well as several sharing broken bone stories. We used those stories to find ways to remember the bones as well. The small groups were also given a task to create an updated "bone song" to help them remember the placement and names of bones. They did an excellent job. This project held nothing but learning and laughter.

  After the bones were covered we moved to the muscles. Now I believe that my students have a solid base of knowledge of these two systems. There are three students this semester that wish to be doctors. They were ecstatic at being able to start their medical careers so soon!

  These models have been a blessing to my students, and will be for future classes as well.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Rook

  This classroom project was brought to life by ESPN and one other donor.

• Cross Country Team - Med-Ball Mayhem!

  Funded Jan 12, 2016

  Thank you so much for your generous donations to our Cross Country team. The money you gave allowed us to purchase enough medicine balls, in varied weights, for our team members to workout together on their core strength. This team activity will prove to bring the team closer together as well as continue to prepare them for their goal to reach a state birth. The team has just started working out for the season - that doesn't start until the fall, however, this group of young athletes are that committed. With the addition of your donations, we are already well on our way. Thank you!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Rook

• Muscle Needed!

  Funded Oct 2, 2015

  When our project was posted then adopted, we were told the muscle models we wanted were back ordered. We were offered other options to purchase but held to our original order. We were blessed to have done so, because the muscle models we received, due to your generous donations, were perfect for our classes. The models are used in a Health class learning the surface muscles, and in an IB anatomy class. The muscle system is one that students struggle with. However, in both classes the students were happy to have resources that allowed them to SEE AND TOUCH the muscles, rather than studying a picture by themselves or en mass. Due to this, actual learning increased and was easy to measure. Because of this, we are so very thankful for the positive impact these models have made with our students to date. Due to your generosity, we plan to have more learning taking place in the future.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Rook

• He Shoots! He Scores!

  Funded Nov 12, 2014

  Due to the cold and snowy weather we have missed a lot of classes. When we were finally able to attend Phys. Ed. again we started with soccer - in hopes to hurry spring! When the new goals were pulled out, popped up, and put in place for our indoor games the kids were more excited than I have seen them! They loved the colors, the quick set up, and most importantly, the ease of carrying the goals from place to place!

  Using the smaller goals actually helped the students to refine their soccer skills, use their teammates by passing more so a better position could be orchestrated and a score could be won! They were very verbal about how they liked the goals and how much better they were than cones so there wasn't any arguing about goals made due to the predetermined area for scoring.

  Thank you so very much for sharing your desire to better kids lives with me - even in what seems like such a small way - is truly a big thing in their lives.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Rook

  This classroom project was brought to life by ESPN and 5 other donors.

• As I Live And Breathe!

  Funded Dec 5, 2013

  I have a VERY OLD human model that does not break down for the respiratory system. Thus, when we covered this unit we have never had a model, or visual, for the students to take apart and actually touch to see the organs of our bodies. With this model they were in awe! The students loved being able to touch, take apart, and learn about the respiratory system using your donation. It was wonderful to see their faces when they showed understanding as well.

  When the unit was introduced the students were given a paper copy of the parts of the system. When it came time to test the students were very ready because we had taken time, in small groups, to spend with their paper worksheets and the model learning the parts as they broke it down organ by organ. Each students took their turn being the teacher and quizzing their group members on the model.

  Having this model was an exciting benefit to me and to the students. With hands on activities they were able to learn the parts of the system faster and were able to recognize them more easily on the test. This made learning fun and I believe it will last longer than if we had just used paper diagrams.

  Thank you so very much for your donations to this project and the education of my students!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Rook

  This classroom project was brought to life by an anonymous donor and 4 other donors.