Past projects 5
Reading Intervention for Newcomers!
Funded Feb 23, 2018I have been teaching for 24 years, but each September a new group of learners enters my classroom and I am overwhelmed with all we need to do. This year was especially challenging. I had before me thirty English language learners who were far below the grade level expectations. I struggled for resources to meet their needs and then I found - MindPlay! This educational online reading intervention program targets all the missing skills my students need. It works on sounds of letters, blends, reading, fluency and vocabulary. How would I be able to provide this wonderful resource to my students?
And then came...
YOU!!
YOU made the difference. Your donation - big or small - made it possible. It is now May and I am promoting ALL of my students to the next grade. The work is not done; we still have much language to cover, but the advancements my students made this year because of your donation are amazing!
One student entered reading four years below grade level. He worked on MindPlay for 30 minutes a day for only six weeks and he is not only one grade level behind!! In this short amount of time, with intensive directed intervention, this student (along with many others) is catching up.
Their work is not over. They know entering middle school as an English language learner is a challenge, but we have made a difference.
We cannot thank you enough. Please continue to do what you do - help others, be positive, and know that 30 students in Queens and one happy teacher are forever grateful.
Agnes”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Lombardo
Easel does it!
Funded Dec 9, 2009I am writing to thank you so very much for the easel you purchased for my class fulfilling my recently submitted proposal. It was such a wonderful gift that you gave, not only me, but my class of eager fifth graders.
Our old easel was broken and difficult to use because it was literally held together with tape. I feared the easel or the papers on the easel would fall on a student or the easel itself might fall, hurting someone in the class.
Now, our classroom is so very different.
First of all, the beautiful red easel is so colorful and sturdy -- everyone who walks in the room or past our door comments. Secondly, the easel stands taller than our last easel so everyone in the room, no matter your size or seat, can see what is written on the easel or the paper. Finally, because we have this new easel, the students themselves can use the easel; I am no longer afraid anyone will get hurt.
Grace, thank you so very much for your donation. It has changed our class and the learning environment for my students. Again, thank you so very much.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Lombardo
For the Birds!
Funded Oct 25, 2009Everyone thought we were crazy and some even said, "oh, you will only see a few pigeons", but they were all wrong.
On a cool winter day, my class of fifth graders and I headed out to a local park for our first REAL birdwatching trip. We have been birdwatching before, in your school yard and out our classroom windows, but this time we were heading to a real park with authentic birdwatching binoculars. At first it was cool as we all walked the trail, but the weather was soon no longer important as we heard our first bird call. It was the call of a downy woodpecker and as we all stood as still as possible --
We saw it!
Everyone rushed to raise their binoculars and get a good look. From then on, it just got better and better. We saw a few red-bellied woodpeckers and a tufted titmouse. We studied the birds' behaviors and the way they looked. We watched unsuccessfully to spot the local Great Horned Owl. It was a fantastic day. Not only did my class enjoy a wonderful birding experience, it awakened in them an interest that will possibly last a lifetime.
Your donation made all of this possible! You made the difference in the lives of these students. They did not worry about the cold and they did not see one pigeon; instead they became young ornithologists. We have another trip planned for the spring, when the weather will hopefully be warmer. Everyone is looking forward to it; some students have even began studying about some local birds they hope to see next time.
I cannot thank you enough. My students just love the binoculars and they really enjoyed birdwatching. You made all this possible. I think the best part of the day was when one student told me she was going to ask for her own set of binoculars for her birthday. Birdwatching might just have changed her life. She has learned to appreciate nature; what a great lesson! Thank you all for making it a reality. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generosity. Thanks for giving and in the future, please think of giving again -- so many students benefit from DonorsChoose. Thanks again.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Lombardo
Do You Have The Time?
Funded Mar 17, 2009My students finally feel like real scientists. With the materials that you helped purchase, my class of investigative fifth graders has benefited greatly. In the past we conducted our scientific experiments using the very ineffective counting system of "Mississippi". The students recorded data that was truly incorrect and unscientific. Although my students were interested in the various experiments we completed, the inaccuracies of our findings were disappointing.
Now, thanks to your support, we are using accurate recording measures with our digital stop watches. We received 15 stop watches so each pair of students is able to have their own. We have recreated science experiments from earlier in the year and conducted a few new experiments recording new findings while trying out our new tools. For example, we studied the effects of erosion on land. We used sand landforms to represent our beaches. Then we filled cups with water and placed them above the sand landforms. Various sized holes were made in the bottom of the cups. Using our stop watches we recorded the rate of land erosion in relationship to the speed of water flow. The students were amazed to find that miles of beachfront land could be destroyed in less than 3 minutes. We then analyzed the data and found that each minute recorded on our stop watches was equal to one year. The data was shocking and I think we have a new found respect for our planet and its destruction. The tools you helped purchase made this project a success.
On behalf of my students and my future students I would like to thank you for your donations. You have made a difference in my classroom and I thank you.
”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Lombardo
Tackling Bullies and Building Self-Esteem during Reading
Funded Jan 21, 2009I wanted to write to thank you again for your generous support of my class and our reading project. Because of your assistance, my students will each be able to read his or her own copy of Shredderman #3 in book clubs. Our school is in a high poverty area and many of our class books must be shared; very rarely, do my students get the chance to own their own personal copy of a book. By donating to our project, you have made a unique reading experience possible in our class. Most importantly, though, you have taught my students a valuable lesson -- people do good things for others and sometimes we don't even know who they are.
I am reading the ending of Shredderman #2 aloud and we are all anxiously awaiting the delivery of our class set of book #3. You have impacted the lives of 25 fifth graders and one very, thankful teacher. My words cannot even express my gratitude enough. Thank you for making a difference.
I know times are difficult for everyone, but if possible tell a friend about DonorsChoose.org and encourage others to do what you have done. So many projects need support like yours.
”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Lombardo