Ms. Ofstie's Classroom Edit display name

Past projects 42

• Young Scientists Need Hands-On Experience

  Funded Oct 3, 2012

  Thank you SO much for your generous contribution towards hands-on science materials for my English language learners! My students and I are very grateful for your kindness.

  The materials that were purchased through this grant have provided my students with a hands-on project to go with each science lesson that we have completed so far. Without these projects, the students would not have learned as much as they have, and would be far less excited about the subject matter.

  In the pictures, you can see some of the simple machines that my students built at the completion of our simple machines science unit. They learned about levers, pulleys, wheels & axles, ramps, wedges, and screws, and then got to build them and see them work in real life.

  My students and I appreciate your generosity more than I can say. Thanks again.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Ofstie

  This classroom project was brought to life by Kaplan Early Learning Company and 7 other donors.

• Bring American History to Life for 5th Grade Immigrant Kids

  Funded Sep 24, 2012

  Thank you so very much for your generosity in donating American history materials for my 5th grade immigrant students! They have provided so much fun, motivation, and learning for my social studies groups this year. As you can see in the pictures, the students are really enjoying the materials.

  We have used the books and materials you donated in many ways so far this school year. We played a hands-on game that carried over a week, in which the students role played being Jamestown settlers, and had to complete lots of building and writing tasks in order to successfully set up Jamestown Colony. We have sung many songs together that support our history content. Their favorite song is "Welcome to the New World," as they can relate to that sentiment as immigrants. We have used the picture cards as speaking and writing prompts, and the students have learned so much from them.

  Again, thank you very much for your kindness and generosity! We appreciate it!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Ofstie

  This classroom project was brought to life by Kaplan Early Learning Company and 3 other donors.

• Load Up Our Library With Beautiful Books

  Funded Dec 8, 2009

  Thank you so much for your generous donation of books for our classroom. The students were so excited when the new books arrived, and they have been looking at them and enjoying them every day since.

  We begin every English period with 15 minutes of independent reading, during which time the students can select their own books from the bookshelf to look at. The new books that you provided us with are by far the most popular. The students love them.

  My students are all learning English as their second language, and these books will help improve their reading skills, as well as instill a love for a good book.

  Thank you again for this donation. It is wonderful to know that there are people out there like you who care about education.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Ofstie

  This classroom project was brought to life by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and 4 other donors.

• Learning With White Boards

  Funded Nov 18, 2009

  Thank you very much for your generous donation of white boards to our classroom. We use them every day, and the students love them.

  We have been using them in many different ways. The students have used them during games to hold up answers, to work on thesis statements and supporting details, and also to judge each other's performances in class.

  The bags, erasers, and markers all fit perfectly under their desks, so they are easily accessible to each student every day.

  Again, thank you so much for this wonderful donation to our classroom. The students and I appreciate it more than we can say.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Ofstie

  This classroom project was brought to life by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and 4 other donors.

• Projecting Our Writing With a Document Camera

  Funded Oct 26, 2009

  Thank you so very much for the generous donation of the document camera to our classroom. It is such a wonderful, high-tech resource to have in our room. We are able to project student writing, textbook pages, articles, magazine pages, and even objects up on the screen for all to see.

  We have been using it frequently to look at student writing. It is so useful for students to be able to look at each other's writing, and it is so much easier now that we have this document camera. In the past, students had to write on transparencies, and that often meant copying what they had already written. Now it is quick and easy to project student writing, and the students are learning so much from it.

  Again, thank you so much. It is very heartwarming to know that there are people out there like you who care about education.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Ofstie

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

• LCD Projector For English Language Learners

  Funded Jun 2, 2009

  Thank you SO much for so generously donating the LCD projector to my classroom. It is so wonderful to have this resource available to my students, and it never would have been possible without you.

  We have been using the projector for many things this year. We started out the year with a unit all about food and nutrients, and it was so helpful to be able to show videos from Discovery Education about healthy eating. It is much more interesting to see and hear about food than it is to just read about it sometimes!

  We also use it to connect to our document camera, which is similar to an overhead projector, except that I can put any piece of paper under it and it will be projected. Now students can look at each other's writing without even worrying about overhead markers and transparencies.

  It is so heartwarming to know that there are people out there like you who care about education and children. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Ofstie

  This classroom project was brought to life by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and 5 other donors.

• Summer School Books for English Language Learners

  Funded Apr 12, 2009

  Thank you so much for funding this class set of books for my English Language Learners. The book that we received is called "Clear Speech" and it is aimed at improving students' pronunciation and listening skills in American English.

  The set came with student books, which each include a take-home CD, a teacher's guide, and a class CD. The students really enjoy using this book in class. We listen to the CD and do the oral activities and games together in the book. They love learning how to correctly pronounce words, and it has improved their confidence with speaking.

  They also get to take home the student CD to practice what we did in class. They have never had such a wonderful listening and speaking resource. Thanks to you, my students are greatly improving their pronunciation and comprehension of spoken English. They feel more comfortable speaking to other teachers, students, and community members.

  Your generous donation made it all possible. Thank you so, so much for your kindness. It is great to know that there are people out there like you, who care about the education of students.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Ofstie

  This classroom project was brought to life by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and 5 other donors.

• Projector Accessories for English Language Learners

  Funded Apr 20, 2009

  Thank you VERY much for generously donating the projector accessories to my students. The projector cart, speakers, and wireless internet access point have already been put to great use this school year.

  School is back in full swing, and the items that you donated have been used a lot already! For example, right now we are learning about food and healthy eating choices, and I have used the accessories to show streaming video about the food pyramid. I have also used it to show my class the government's food pyramid website.

  It is such a luxury to have such great technology in the classroom, and that has been possible thanks to you. I am so thankful that there are people out there like you, who care about students and education.

  Again, thank you!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Ofstie

  This classroom project was brought to life by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and 8 other donors.

• Origami Fun for Everyone!

  Funded Dec 19, 2008

  Thank you SO much for funding my origami proposal! My students absolutely love paper crafts, and will be so excited to receive the books and paper. We will now have a wonderful accompaniment to our "Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes" story. Your generosity will enable my students to learn even more, while having fun with origami. It is a great way for English language learners to get involved and be successful in the classroom. They will love it. Again, thank you so very much!

  Sincerely,

  Rache”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Ofstie

  This classroom project was brought to life by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and 2 other donors.

• Audiobooks for English Language Learners

  Funded Nov 23, 2008

  Thank you SO much for your generous donation of audio books for my English language learners! I am so excited that we will be getting this exciting resource. My students will be so excited to have portable CD players with which to listen to these great novels. It will definitely enhance their English learning, and it will enable them to read books that they might otherwise give up on. Again, thank you very much!

  Sincerely,

  Rache”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Ofstie