Past projects 28
Decoding Reading
Funded May 19, 2023The day we received our library of books was a fun day in our classroom. Students couldn't believe the size of the boxes and especially could not believe the number of books that came out of those boxes and went into our library. That day, students spent hours flipping through the books, hoarding the ones they wanted to read, and offering book recommendations to friends. Independent and phonics reading that day, and every day since, has been productive and enjoyable. All students have been able to find books at the appropriate level that they enjoy, not that they are forced to read because of limited availability. Instead of students reading for five minutes and becoming bored, students have continuously begged me to offer them more time during the day to simply read.
To see some of my most reluctant, struggling readers truly enjoying independent reading time has been a true gift to me as a teacher. It only takes one good book to transform a reluctant reader into a lifelong reader and the books that you donated are helping to do that for all the students in my room. My students and I thank you so much for this gift of learning, reading, and love of books.”
With gratitude,
Ms. S.
This classroom project was brought to life by An Anonymous Supporter and 2 other donors.Wordly Wise
Funded Aug 29, 2022We were so excited to begin working in our Worldy Wise Vocabulary books! The kids were so excited to hear they got their "own" workbook. I love that the stories are so engaging and the vocabulary words chosen are such high utility vocabulary words that students are likely to see in many other texts. Students are truly interested in the activities and often do further research on their own after we read each story using the vocabulary words. These workbooks were a great addition to our class. Thank you for your generosity!”
With gratitude,
Ms. S.
Time for New Technology
Funded Dec 28, 2021The projector and document camera that your donation made possible has made a great impact in our classroom on both teaching and learning. Students were excited about them from the day we received them. All of these items make it easy for my students to copy notes from the board as I can exactly model what they are supposed to write and where using the projector. Math has been made easier because, instead of having to crowd an entire classroom of students around me on the floor, I can project math manipulatives such as fraction bars or Unifix cubes for the classroom to see from their seats. Much to the delight of students, we have watched educational videos on topics such as Native Americans arriving in the Americas and we even learned a rounding song and dance to help us remember the rules of rounding.
The projector and camera have been instrumental for the new reading program that we are piloting at our school this year. With this technology, I can project the book in color for all to see. We practice things such as annotating texts and analyzing photos together. Students can share their work with the class simply by placing their work under the camera. Students recently made PowerPoint presentations, which they could project for us all, which put smiles on their faces.
We, in our classroom, are so thankful for your contribution of the projector, screen, and document camera. School is meant to be a fun place of learning and this technology has helped move our classroom closer to that ideal.”
With gratitude,
Ms. S.
Diverse Texts for Deserving Students
Funded Aug 12, 2021The day we received our library of books was a fun day in our classroom. Students couldn't believe the size of the boxes and especially could not believe the number of books that came out of those boxes and went into our library. That day, students spent hours flipping through the books, hoarding the ones they wanted to read, and offering book recommendations to friends. Independent and guided reading that day, and every day since, has been productive and enjoyable. All students have been able to find books at the appropriate level that they enjoy, not that they are forced to read because of limited availability. Instead of students reading for five minutes and becoming bored, students have continuously begged me to offer them more time during the day to simply read.
The best comments, though, were when students found a book with a character that looked like them. They'd turn to me excitedly pointing at the book and then themselves and tell their friends they found a book with a girl or boy like them. These books are the ones that best held their attention.
To see some of my most reluctant, struggling readers truly enjoying independent reading time has been a true gift to me as a teacher. It only takes one good book to transform a reluctant reader into a lifelong reader and the books that you donated are helping to do that for all the students in my room. My students and I thank you so much for this gift of learning, reading, and love of books.”
With gratitude,
Ms. S.
This classroom project was brought to life by Bill Gates and 2 other donors.New, News! Read All About It!
Funded Mar 16, 2021We were so excited to begin reading our Time for Kids and DynaMath magazines! The kids were so excited to hear they got their "own" magazine every week. I love that the stories are so engaging. Students are truly interested in the articles and often do further research on their own after we read an article. I love that the magazine makes current news stories developmentally appropriate for my students to read and understand. We have also really enjoyed the math magazine which shows real life uses for math as well as careers that students can pursue if they love math. These magazines were a great addition to my class. Thank you for your generosity!”
With gratitude,
Ms. S.
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and one other donor.We Want a Whiteboard!
Funded Mar 26, 2021Students were so excited to learn that the large box in the hallway was a new whiteboard for our classroom. It has become an inside joke in our classroom that we could only use green whiteboard markers because they were the only ones that erased on our old whiteboard. As soon as students heard what this was, a student asked, "Can we use ALL the colored Expo markers now?!" Needless to say, we are all enjoying this new whiteboard. Students now run up to the board when I ask if someone wants to share or solve a problem because they're so excited to use it. It has made teaching from the board so much easier for me and our remote kids are finally able to see what I'm doing on the board now that I can use black marker. We are so thankful for this generous gift. Thank you!!”
With gratitude,
Ms. S.
This classroom project was brought to life by T-Mobile and one other donor.Movement Break Materials for Motivated Learners
Funded Dec 18, 2020The day we received all of the movement equipment donated through your generosity was an exciting day in our room. Students were so interested in seeing what we received and learning how to use it to help them be better students. In the days that have passed since we received the equipment, that excitement has not worn off. At any time of the day, students can be found reading, writing, or taking a break on the ball chair. During instruction, students can be seen bouncing on the maze and stepper.
Though these may sound like small changes to the classroom, it is these small changes that make a world of difference. Instead of students getting up to walk around, playing in their desks, or shouting out, they stay focused and learning because they have other ways of more productively eliminating excess energy. When students are focused and calm, they can do their best learning which is our ultimate goal as teachers. We are all so grateful for your generosity.”
With gratitude,
Ms. S.
Books That Look Like Me!
Funded Dec 30, 2020The day we received our library of books was a fun day in our classroom. Students couldn't believe the size of the boxes and especially could not believe the number of books that came out of those boxes and went into our library. That day, students spent hours flipping through the books, hoarding the ones they wanted to read, and offering book recommendations to friends. Independent and guided reading that day, and every day since, has been productive and enjoyable. All students have been able to find books at the appropriate level that they enjoy, not that they are forced to read because of limited availability. Instead of students reading for five minutes and becoming bored, students have continuously begged me to offer them more time during the day to simply read.
The best comments, though, were when students found a book with a character that looked like them. They'd turn to me excitedly pointing at the book and then themselves and tell their friends they found a book with a girl or boy like them. These books are the ones that best held their attention.
To see some of my most reluctant, struggling readers truly enjoying independent reading time has been a true gift to me as a teacher. It only takes one good book to transform a reluctant reader into a lifelong reader and the books that you donated are helping to do that for all the students in my room. My students and I thank you so much for this gift of learning, reading, and love of books.”
With gratitude,
Ms. S.
Computers for Kids
Funded Dec 27, 2019My students and I are so grateful for the classroom computers made possible by your donation. The day the computers arrived was an exciting one. Students were eager to learn how to use the computers. We spent many weeks learning all that the computers can do-learning about Google Drive, Google Read and Write assistive technology, and educational websites.
Now, my students are computer experts. They can create and share documents with ease, they have learned to type efficiently, and have learned how to conduct research using reliable websites. They are able to play games that supplement reading, math, and science instruction, making learning more fun.
The skills that they have learned as a result of this technology will carry over to college and career for my students.”
With gratitude,
Ms. S.
Computers Make Learning Fun
Funded Oct 14, 2019My students and I are so grateful for the classroom computers made possible by your donation. The day the computers arrived was an exciting one. Students were eager to learn how to use the computers. We spent many weeks learning all that the computers can do-learning about Google Drive, Google Read and Write assistive technology, and educational websites.
Now, my students are computer experts. They can create and share documents with ease, they have learned to type efficiently, and have learned how to conduct research using reliable websites. They are able to play games that supplement reading, math, and science instruction, making learning more fun.
The skills that they have learned as a result of this technology will carry over to college and career for my students.”
With gratitude,
Ms. S.
This classroom project was brought to life by Volkswagen.