Past projects 2
Urgent Science Kits Needed
Funded Dec 29, 2013My students faces lit up with so much joy and excitement when they first looked at all the rocks, minerals and books that were donated. They were very grateful for the donations and couldn't wait to start exploring and observing real rocks and minerals. The students were in awe when I said they would become like real geologist especially when they opened up a geode.
Thus far our second grade buddies and ourselves have continued to observe, research and investigate the many types of rocks that make up our earth. Taking notes and doing some research to understand how each rock is special. The students also became real geologists one day and opened up a geode to find their own crystals and gems. Wearing protective googles and using real tools like geologists, the students made discoveries they never dreamed of.
Thanks to the different rock kits students are making more detailed observations on their own and asking more in depth questions therefore leading to continued investigations of these rocks. Students are even comparing the different properties in rocks and trying to observe each rock carefully to notice how geologist classify rocks. There were so many rocks to investigate that each student became an expert on their own rock. You have all made a difference in our teaching and learning thank you immensely for your generous donations.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Balarezo
A Listening Center is Needed
Funded May 17, 2011Words cannot describe how thankful we are to you all for each and every contribution you have made to this project! When my students from last year and this year saw the listening center they could not believe their eyes or ears for that matter. Some students had never even heard of a listening center. So you could probably imagine all the enthusiasm that the students were feeling when they got a chance to listen to books read to them.
The listening center not only helps students become better listeners it also helps students become better readers. Groups of three to five students are able to listen, read along and eventually read the book on their own. Since each student listening to the one tape has a book in front of them students are able to read along by pointing, then trying it with the tape and finally without the tape.
Although all students have had success with the listening center the students that have had the deepest impact are those students who are English language learners. Most regular students come home and do their homework with their parents and parents also read to their child before bedtime. However, English language learners have parents that cannot speak or read English. Having this listening center has helped decrease this gap between students who hear a bedtime story every night and those who don't have that luxury.
I try to set up the listening center every morning according to each child's level in order to help students make improvements that will help them become better readers or listeners. Some English language learners and students with learning disabilities in my classroom are the ones who have listened to books the most and their enthusiasm and improvements in reading is what makes your contributions all worth it. We are only seven weeks into the school year and the impact is already evident. I wish you could all see the total impact this listening center has made in one whole year.
In conclusion THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU so much for all your generous contributions to this project! ”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Balarezo