Amazing 5th Graders

Funded Dec 27, 2014

Thank you so much for the donations for this project! This donation has brought color into the classroom , and such a wonderful classroom environment. We have charts up labeled with colorful sentence strips to help identify each subject area and to provide a visual for the students. The colorful markers have brightened up those charts. I find that the children are a lot more focused now that we have these wonderful visuals. The children are using those social studies kits as we are reviewing West Ward Expansion and U.S Government. The students are engaged in the units . They enjoy using multiple manipulative to help review the important concepts of the units and meet the needs of students with visual , tactile and kinesthetic learning styles.

The students use the graphic organizers to organize their thinking whether its finding the main idea, determining theme, sequencing, problem and solution, and inference. The graphic organizers assisted them in understanding those important concepts to increase their comprehension. Also, The students use the arrows to finding evidence when reading an article and determine the main idea. The students used the decimal cards when adding, subtracting, and multiplying fractions. Adding and subtracting decimals is an important standard for 5th graders to learn. The students also benefited from using those scented and colorful markers as we are able to separate information using bold colors to help them understand the organization of the topic and specific details. We also use the colored papers daily to help engage the students and have bright visuals to organize students work. The students in my reading and writing groups are able to identify their assignments by color. I also printed many colored graphic organizers and mini charts on those colored papers.

The children love the red and green pillows and the green bean bag chair. They always ask to sit on them during a lesson or independent work. The students receive the pillows and chairs as rewards when earning a certain amount of tickets , which is earned from good behavior. The students enjoy just sitting on the big chair we call, "Big Joe" and reading a book or practicing their math on their ipads. You truly have made their year ! Those pillows and Big Joe has created a loving classroom environment. The kids seem to focus more when feeling comfortable.

My co- teacher, the children and I just want to say thank you so much for making our year with your donation to 5-418. We call our class the BCE(Best Class Ever)! Thanks for helping this class who truly deserve everything they need to excel academically and be rewarded for their excellent behavior!”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Homnick