Mr. Linley's Classroom Edit display name

Past projects 105

• Math Supplies for First Graders

  Funded Aug 11, 2010

  Outrageous! Thank you, thank you for this unbelievable collection of materials. These kids are going to be way ahead of the game thanks to you.

  We've already used some of the materials. I've taught them how to play the classic strategy game Connect 4. And we've learned a little about three dimensional shapes with the Magformers. The dominoes have been put to use in learning about addition. And the spinners have been used in a couple of math games I've devised. The scale is really high quality.

  The kids will learn a lot with these materials.

  Thank you.”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Linley

  This classroom project was brought to life by In a Perfect World Foundation and one other donor.

• Literacy Games for Young Readers

  Funded Aug 30, 2010

  Thank you for your generous donation. As you may already know, first grade is when most children learn to read. While real books are the true foundation for reading acquisition, it is also useful and sometimes even necessary to use games to teach kids the skills they need to learn to begin reading fluently. The games selected for this project meet that need. We've already gotten into two of the games you've sent. It sure is nice for these children to get their hands on brand new shiny high-quality materials to learn with. Thanks.”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Linley

• A Social Justice: Art Supplies for Underprivileged Kids

  Funded May 14, 2010

  Thank you for your donation!

  The collection of art materials that you sent to our class has given these kids some parity with their peers in more affluent schools. These children simply do not have access to quality art materials and their excitement is justified: these materials are new and unusual and the children are thrilled to have them.

  With some of the materials we made family portraits which we displayed proudly at our recent Open House. The kids also have had the opportunity to use the excellent quality clay a couple of times along with the modeling tools you sent. Our final art project is underway this week, utilizing the Bright Books.

  Thank you.”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Linley

  This classroom project was brought to life by The Eisner Foundation and 6 other donors.

• 30 Great Books All Kids Should Know

  Funded Apr 17, 2010

  Thank you for your generous donation. This is an exciting selection of books. I have already had the opportunity to read most of them to the class.

  Yesterday I read to the children "The Enemy: A Book about Peace" by Davide Cal. It's a wonderful book for teaching tolerance. The story tells of two enemy soldiers who think of each other as evil, but by the end of the story realize that neither is evil, that they have much in common, and are in fact very much the same. The kids were well engaged with the story and it prompted a lot of questions and discussion. The truth is, war makes no sense to kids - adults should read this book too. Their writing in response was thoughtful and in some cases even touching.

  Thank you.”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Linley

• Celebrating Earth: Science in Our School Garden

  Funded May 4, 2010

  Thank you so much for your generous donation! Some of the materials arrived this week and we have had a great time using them.

  We read a few books about garden critters and then built the Bug-Podz contraption to house what we find in the garden. The kids made little habitats in their Bug-Podz with dirt, rocks, flowers, leaves, sticks, and water. They found lots of pill bugs and slugs. They put the animals in the Bug-Podz and then observed what happened over night: leaves were eaten, poop was everywhere, and some of the pill bugs were able to escape through air holes. The pictures I posted document the activity.

  It was a wonderful learning experience; there will be more to come. Thanks for the materials!”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Linley

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

• A Social Justice: Books to Borrow and Read at Home

  Funded Mar 22, 2010

  Thank you for your generous donation. All of the books have arrived and this kids are really enjoying them.

  It is important that emergent readers have actual books to hold in their hands and read. New books are especially enticing to them. It is a great help to these students to be able to take books home to read with their families. They love taking books home and this selection has some really fun ones. All of the books are age appropriate and will give them needed practice in reading. As you can see from the pictures, your donation is truly appreciated.

  Thank you so much.”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Linley

  This classroom project was brought to life by In a Perfect World Foundation and 2 other donors.

• Enriching the Science Curriculum for First Graders

  Funded Mar 22, 2010

  Thank you again for your donation.

  As mentioned in the project proposal, we have a small garden at our school that the students care for. The kids have already observed several animals depicted in the books I've read to them. Having learned about pillbugs, ants and the common garden snail before the observations has prompted many questions and much excitement. For example, after reading the two books about pillbugs we went to the garden and one student found a pillbug carrying eggs on her stomach -- an event pictured in one of the books. Also, everyone had fun observing pillbugs swim -- another behavior depicted in one of the books.This is an outstanding collection of books and will be used to great advantage in my classroom. As you know, scientific thinking is one of the cornerstones of educated minds. It is our duty as citizens to ensure that our children are given opportunities to develop scientific ways of thinking. These books will go a long way towards meeting that need.

  Thanks again!”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Linley

  This classroom project was brought to life by Chevron and 3 other donors.

• Math Materials for First Graders

  Funded Mar 22, 2010

  Thank you so much for your donation of math supplies to our classroom. The kids are benefiting already. I've shown the kids how to play the games and they are playing them on their own after the daily math lesson. I believe that the games involving addition and subtraction will help solidify their knowledge of math facts and that the strategy games will increase their abilities at problem solving. The geometry puzzles and blocks are allowing some kids to display their true talent. The kids are so excited about your gift. Thank you.”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Linley

  This classroom project was brought to life by In a Perfect World Foundation and 3 other donors.

• Digital Access for First Graders: Asking for One Computer

  Funded Feb 27, 2010

  Thank you once again for your contribution to our classroom. We opened up the crate this week and the kids helped set up the new computer. Everyone was so excited. Most of these children do not have a computer at home and if they do it is probably not a new state-of-the-art one.

  All of the children have been able to use the computer. They are enjoying some of the programs the computer came with, and they are of course enjoying the fast speed while using the various flash-based websites I've shown them. Students have also used the computer to practice math skills and to read a children's book online, The Little Red Hen.

  Thank you so much!”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Linley

  This classroom project was brought to life by Chevron and 6 other donors.

• A True Bargain: HP Computers are Half Price: Help!

  Funded Mar 19, 2010

  Thank you once again for your contribution to our classroom. We opened up the crate yesterday and the kids helped set up the new computer. Everyone was so excited. Most of these children do not have a computer at home and if they do it is probably not a new state-of-the-art one. The children were using the computer already this morning and everyone wants to know when they will have a chance. I've set up a schedule, so all children will have fair access. Students have already used the computer to practice math skills and to read a children's book online, The Little Red Hen.

  Thank you so much!”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Linley

  This classroom project was brought to life by HP and National Lab Day and 2 other donors.