Past projects 2
Selective Seating Saves Minds!
Funded Jul 27, 2018This year I have 42 fidgety fifth graders. The stools and tables you provided have allowed my students to stand or sit (and wiggle) without disturbing their classmates.
The students love taking turns on the stools and replacing their solid chairs with something that allows them to wiggle while they work. The stools are easy to move, which also allows my kids to position them at flexible areas around the room.
The tables are the perfect height for most of my students so if they feel the need to stand, they can move from their seats and know they have a safe place to work. The shelves on the side allow for easy storage for student books and other materials that students need to access.
My students from previous years often come to visit and ask why they were never allowed to have these seating options that my current students love.
Thank you for giving my students the opportunity to wiggle, wobble, and stand while still learning, participating, and growing.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Duever
This classroom project was brought to life by Google.org and 6 other donors."Wonder" Novel Set
Funded Aug 11, 2016As the school year comes to a close, so does my class' experience with the novel, "Wonder." This is my first time teaching this novel, and I plan to use the gift you've given with my future students, as well.
My student's adore this book, and are eager to get to reading so they can learn about a new character or hear another joke from the main character, August Pullman. I typically begin a section of the book by reading it aloud. I love to hear my students laugh, make connections, or even cry, as we read the book together. After I read the book to them, we discuss the characters and their motivations - Are they making the right choices? Why did they make that choice? What would you do? Etc. My students then work with their "Wonder-ful" partner to reread the section and answer text-based questions together. This allows them to get closer to the text and get a perspective they might not have otherwise heard.
As much as I enjoyed watching my students love "Wonder," my favorite part of this experience has been watching them learn to "Choose Kind." The novel you gave to my students isn't just pleasure reading, it's a look through the eyes of a fifth grade boy who has been different his whole life. When we read it, we see how the world looks to him and we realize that what we do - our words, and actions - affect those we interact with in ways we wouldn't have imagined without Auggie's help. When my kids hear something mean, they now repeat the phrase, "Choose kind."
Reading a book like this, like the one you made possible for my classroom, is about more than gathering facts. A book like this touches the heart and leaves a lasting impression that I hope my students will carry with them as they enter the big wide world of middle school.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Duever