Mrs. Wardell's Classroom Edit display name

Current requests

Past projects 8

• Ready, Set, Start the New School Year!

  Funded Sep 11, 2023

  Thank you so much for your donation to my project "Ready, Set, Start the New School Year!"

  My students' desks are super organized now with their new desk sets that hold their pencil, dry erase marker, and other learning materials. Before, the students would get frustrated due to losing their supplies as they would roll off the table or into their neighbor's area.

  During PE, the children are learning how to play new games with our new playground balls. Before receiving the donation, we only had one ball to use because the rest had all worn out.

  I am truly grateful for your support.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Wardell

  This classroom project was brought to life by Panda Cares.

• Pandemic and Post-Pandemic Partner Reading

  Funded Mar 16, 2021

  I am so grateful for the partner reading books. Once a week the students get assigned a partner to read with. This usually is a "Fun Friday" activity. Quite often we go outside and read on the lawn. I do this to promote recreational reading. I strategically pass out the books and then the partners read the book together helping each other decode the words. Next, the students reread the books paying special attention to their accuracy and expression, as they take turns reading the pages. Rereading is a strategy for students to improve reading fluency.

  Thank you for helping me instill the joy of reading in my students.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Wardell

  This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and one other donor.

• At Home Writing Journals

  Funded Sep 4, 2020

  Thank you for the writing prompt journals and the gift card to Teachers Pay Teachers. These tools have enabled me to create more engaging lessons for my students. The journals have been a great motivator during creative writing time. When I first showed the students the journals, they were eager to receive one because of the colorful cover. I explained that they were purchased by a generous man who like me, believes in the importance of writing as a life skill.

  The first prompt that I used with the students was an undersea adventure personal narrative. Because none of my students have ever been "under the sea," I initiated the activity with a beautiful video of a SCUBA diver exploring a coral reef. I then used the vocabulary words in the word bank to guide us in a classroom discussion about what they could write about. Each writing prompt has a word bank which is a "box" of vocabulary words that provide scaffolding for the students as they write their entries. This is especially important for language learners.

  The first purchase I made with the Teacher Pay Teacher card was for enrichment work for my early finishers. It is important to give meaningful assignments to students to work on as I reteach lessons to students who may be struggling. I still have a large credit on the card so I will be able to use it throughout the year as needed.

  Thank you again from my students and myself for your generosity. The students wrote you thank you notes. If you would like to have them, just let DonorsChoose know.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Wardell

  This classroom project was brought to life by Kleenex® Brand and one other donor.

• A Comfy Place to Read

  Funded Aug 14, 2019

  I appreciate your generosity to my classroom. Because of your donation, I now have a special place for my students to enjoy reading. Whether they are reading an assigned book or a book of choice they look forward to their turn during the reading group rotation time.

  When I first received the chairs, I called a class meeting to discuss how and when the chairs will be used. The children offered all sorts of ideas and helped me figure out a way that 25 students can share 4 chairs in a fair manner. Because of their excitement and input, we figured out a way that all students could use the chairs 2 times each week. We not only use them during reading rotation time but now we also use them during independent work time during math and other subjects.

  Again, I thank you for your kindness and contribution to our classroom.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Wardell

  This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and one other donor.

• Jump Around the World

  Funded Jan 1, 2018

  My second grade students are enjoying "Jump Around the World Wednesdays!" On the first Wednesday, when I introduced my children to the new jump ropes, they beamed at the idea of our class having brand new equipment. The old ropes in the playground PE closet were quite shabby and frayed in contrast to these bright red new ropes! I taught them how to care for the new ropes, and how to carry them so that they never drag on the ground.

  Next, I explained my "Jump Around the World" program to them. They even helped me think of some of the jumping exercises that could be designated to each continent/station.

  During their initial circuit training, some became frustrated because they weren't able to make consecutive jumps. I gathered them together and discussed making obtainable goals. Some of the kids took to it well from the beginning, so I asked these individuals to help encourage students having difficulties.

  By the third Wednesday, all students were making progress. The students were celebrating their jumping success as they tracked and recorded their progress.

  The students look forward to jumping every Wednesday and recording their headway. Thank you for making your contribution to my project.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Wardell

  This classroom project was brought to life by National Fitness Foundation and 4 other donors.

• Book Series Blissfulness for Beginning Readers

  Funded Aug 8, 2017

  Thanks to you, we are off to a great year in my classroom. The students are more motivated than ever before to read.

  Because I have complete sets of series books, I am able to introduce the students to each series of books with a read aloud. During my read aloud, we discuss the basic story elements. We talk about characters and their traits, settings, problems, and solutions in the stories.

  Once a series has been introduced with a whole group read aloud, the students have the choice to read any of the books within that series. After reading each book the children have opportunities to discuss the stories with each other in groups. They converse about how the books are similar yet different. They discuss the plots and character development. Throughout the process students track key elements of the stories in their reading journals.

  Thank you for your generosity. It has made a huge impact in my classroom.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Wardell

  This classroom project was brought to life by Sergey Brin Family Foundation and one other donor.

• Seat Sacks for Successful Second Graders

  Funded Feb 9, 2017

  The seat organizers have had a tremendous impact on my students. My students keep what they need for the day neatly tucked away at arms reach. They are able to use their clutter-free table tops to spread out the resources that they need. They demonstrate pride in keeping their seat organizers orderly. I have noticed that my early finishers immediately reach for their library books or an unfinished project instead of wandering around the room which used to lead to distracting other students. Thank you for your generous contribution to my classroom.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Wardell

• A Place For Everyone Carpet

  Funded Sep 22, 2015

  Your generous donation of our carpet has positively changed the atmosphere of our classroom. On the day of the arrival, the carpet was delivered during our math lesson, all rolled up, wrapped in plastic. Our custodian announced "special delivery," and placed it in the center of the room. It took a few minutes until the students figured out just what had happened. As a few students cut away the overwrap, with their safety scissors of course, the rest of the students waited in anticipation. Once released from the overwrap, the students unrolled the carpet. Joy filled the room as we marveled at the beauty of the new, colorful carpet.

  Since that day the carpet has been the center of our classroom community. It is our meeting place to share stories, discoveries, and experiences. The carpet is the most desired spot for students to collaborate on projects, work independently, or meet in small groups.

  The carpet has brought a sense of pride to our classroom. The children always remind each other to wipe their feet when entering the classroom, and to walk around the carpet whenever possible to preserve the newness.

  Thank you kindly for your gift which brings us happiness every day.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Wardell