Past projects 10
Learning with LEGOs
Funded Nov 23, 2024We used the Legos to create a Maker Space. We are a STEM school and we were in desperate need of this Lego space. Students sign up throughout the day to visit the Maker Space which is housed in the school library. Students create and build designs that are aligned to science and mathematics projects. They also use the library to read and research projects that are STEM related.
The nine weeks projects are cross-curricular and the space allows students to replicate their creations. Sometimes they start with the Maker Space and then decide on the research they want to complete.
This space is great for collaborative work, and students typically work well together. They are eager to have a peer take their creations to the next level. The Maker Space has become a must visit spot in the school. Students work diligently in class to receive the pass to visit the space. So it has not only aided in promoting creativity and collaboration, but it has also helped with student behavior! a Win! Win!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Lawson
This classroom project was brought to life by An Anonymous Supporter and 2 other donors.Postage Please!
Funded Mar 31, 2021The postage that you sponsored was amazing. It is truly the gift that keeps on giving. I have sent numerous incentives to students and teachers alike. Students seldom get mail, they were excited to get the treat. Behaviors changed and motivation increased tremendously.
Their reactions were priceless. The students were sharing all of their mail with one another. This made the idea of receiving something contagious, and the news spread like wild fire. It was easy to create excitement and interests.
My next steps include sending more motivational incentives. Students are now struggling to stay focused during lessons. I have been using the postage to send them notes of appreciation and congratulations.
The stamps were such a great way to boost morale for students and teachers. It helped to leverage the behaviors and motivation. Students' grades improved and morale was lifted.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Lawson
This classroom project was brought to life by T-Mobile and one other donor.Virtual Learning Incentives
Funded Dec 2, 2020My students have been thrilled to revive these amazing incentives via mail. Most have never reviewed mail before, so they were thrilled once packages arrived. They were excited to tell me that they had received their prizes and never failed to shout it out to the class. I remember one specific time when I visited a class. A student noticed me enter virtually and yelled across the teacher, "Oh, Mrs. Lawson, thank you for my mail. I loved everything: the pencils, the bookmarks, and the erasers." It was funny because she couldn't contain her excitement despite the fact that her teacher was teaching a lesson. While it was disruptive, it was definitely a welcome change because, before the incentives, we couldn't get students to unmute for any reason.
Students are excited to be rewarded for going the extra mile. They get lots of recognition prior to the packages even arriving. They are celebrated verbally and promised a "special something" really soon. They are definitely on the lookout for their packages.
I am going to continue to reward my students to keep them motivated throughout this virtual experience. We are getting close to the finish line, so hopefully, these incentives will help me help them finish strong.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Lawson
This classroom project was brought to life by FamilyAlbum and 2 other donors.Books on Film
Funded Aug 22, 2014Thank you for donating to my class. It has been awesome having the laptop top readily available so that I can incorporate a variety of websites into my lessons. I can create lesson plans and know that my plans won't be delayed due to lack of resources. The laptop has afforded me the opportunity to create lessons that my students can connect to because of the world wide web and all it has to offer.
In addition, I have been able to use the DVD to show clips of movies to support the learning goals and objectives. This was especially helpful when teaching the elements of literature. I could show excerpts of popular movies that supported the lesson. Believe me, I had my students undivided attention and the assessments showed that they were mastering concepts as a result.
Being able to utilize the Internet and DVD has increased my students mastery. This is the end of the first nine weeks and my students report card grades are at an all time high. I know that this is partly due to my ability to use my computer to help them make connections to lessons taught.
I could go on and on about the advantages I now have with my laptop as a tool. I am enjoying my lesson and so are my students.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Lawson
This classroom project was brought to life by Gates Foundation Back To School and 7 other donors.Ramping up Reading
Funded Dec 2, 2013This has been the most exciting thing to happen to my students all year. They eagerly awaited the arrival of the Kindles. They were slipping letters to me asking if they could be the first to use them. I hung a sign on my door to let them know that the Kindles had arrived. Teachers and students alike were excited.
With the help of a few parents and students, I downloaded several books and the reading began. The students were reading books and perusing book samples on a regular basis. They were asking the librarian about getting new books in the library. Most of the time students read books of their choosing during silent sustained reading.
The Kindles enhanced my reading classes because students were interested in reading more and more often. It also helped me teach reading strategies to reluctant readers.
Over all students really enjoy the Kindle. They are eager each day to read and it is a welcome change.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Lawson
This classroom project was brought to life by an anonymous donor and 2 other donors.Crazy for One Crazy Summer
Funded Oct 10, 2013My students LOVED this novel! It was an interesting and easy read. This allowed me to teach many reading strategies, i.e. visualizing, making connections, and inference. So my students were learning and having fun! They loved the characters in the story, especially Mean Lady Ling. Listening to them describe her character and other events in the story was the pinnacle of the reading. They even adopted some of the slogans used in the book. So we have inside jokes for our class only.
Thank you for investing in my students growth as life-long readers. The pay off is evident already.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Lawson
Stickler For Staplers
Funded Mar 17, 2013Thank you for your generous donation. Many thought I was wasting my time requesting something like electric staplers, but believe me, when teaching writing, hand-held staplers just can't withstand the use of 125 students several times a day. Those hand held staplers simply aren't durable enough. So I knew it was a worthwhile request. Thank you for supporting me.
Many of my students were not familiar with electric staplers. They were so excited about the idea that I was worried that the staplers wouldn't last. So I had to set norms for using the stapler. Many of my colleagues thought that was funny. Something about that initial click of the stapler was more than they could handle. However, after the first week the novelty wore off.
So now they are back to writing essays in all genres: persuasive, informative and narrative. I will say that the opportunity to staple does lead to more drafts. It's definitely is a win/win for me. Thanks again in investing in the minds of my students.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Lawson
Time for Time
Funded Sep 17, 2012Words don't seem to fully express the gratitude my students and I have for your charitable donation. We are thoroughly enjoying the TIME magazines. Students are finishing class assignments quickly to gain a few minutes to read the magazines. So far we've read two.
The students enjoyed reading the first magazine which gave them such valuable information about the world in which we live. The material was also laid the foundation for a few heated debates, especially the article on the dangers of owning and playing on trampolines.
Again, we really want to thank you for investing in our learning and growing. Reading is such an integral part of life. It's been wonderful to both read and learn about current events in the world.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Lawson
This classroom project was brought to life by an anonymous donor and 2 other donors.Fathom Reading For Fun
Funded Feb 6, 2009Thank you, thank you for your kind act. My students and I have really enjoyed reading the magazine, Read. It was full of interesting and engaging stories. Students were assessed on the readings and they received high scores which proves that they comprehended the material. I am grateful for your participation. We all benefited from the magazine and it's stories. Coincidentally, the featured stories for March were on the Holocaust, a unit that we had just covered. I was delighted to have such a great supplemental resource. We are eagerly awaiting next month's issue!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Lawson
And Justice for All
Funded Nov 24, 2008Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I was elated to find that you had funded this must-read. I know that my students will greatly benefit from your benevolence. It is such a wonderful and encouraging feeling to know that there are people like you in our community that realize and appreciate the resources that it requires to keep students interested and motivated to learn. Again, thank you”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Lawson