Past projects 6
"Take What You Need:" Hygiene Products for Middle Schoolers
Funded Feb 23, 2025I wanted to say thank you so much for your donations. Through your generosity, this project is now fully funded! My students will be so happy to see all of the items available to them in our classroom, and your donation will have a huge impact on them. Thank you again!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Gibbs
“Take What You Need” Classroom Cabinet for Basic Hygiene Supplies
Funded Jun 11, 2024Your donations have made a huge impact on my middle school students! They have been so grateful for the hygiene supplies and have been utilizing all of the items. Many students have expressed their surprise and appreciation that someone would be so kind to donate items that they may not have available at home. Your donations have not only helped individual students. Many items, such as soap and toothpaste, have been brought home and have benefitted entire families.
This project is an amazing resource for middle school students. Thank you again so much for your generosity and kindness!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Gibbs
Hooking the Reluctant Reader
Funded Aug 27, 2022The books purchased for my classroom library have been a huge hit! The students were so excited to see so many new options on the shelves to read. Every book we received has been in constant use since it arrived. We have even needed waiting lists due to their popularity!
These graphic novels are tremendously appealing to students who are initially wary of reading. Their bright illustrations combined with challenging storylines allow students to read in an innovative way. I have had many students tell me that this is the first year they have enjoyed reading.
When selecting books for this project, I chose ones that would appeal to my most reluctant readers and that would motivate them to read. Without a doubt, your donation has made a lasting impact for years to come. Thank you very much!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Gibbs
This classroom project was brought to life by Girard Foundation and one other donor.Books That Hook Reluctant Readers
Funded Jul 10, 2019As a middle school English teacher, I have often worked with students who have decided early on that reading is not something they enjoy. My goal as their teacher is to change their relationship with reading and reveal the joy that can be found in an amazing book. Earlier this year, you generously funded my donation project that purchased graphic novels for our classroom library. These books, with their vivid graphics and engaging story lines, made a huge impact on the students in each of my English classes.
Upon receiving the books, I created a display which highlighted the different series of manga and graphic novels. The students were instantly drawn to them. Many of the students who checked out these books were ones who never elected to read in elementary school because they found books "boring." This year, I have watched them read the entire series of a book and create wait lists for who would read them next. They are excited about reading and hooked on the series. While reading, they are doing higher level thinking such as analyzing characters and themes found in the text. It is wonderful to hear their conversations and the shift in their thinking about reading!
Many of the students have told me that this is the first time they have actually finished a book or an entire series. I have watched many of them transition from these graphic novels to more traditional books that have similar themes and content. Their confidence in reading has increased and this will have a huge effect on their education. These books have made a huge impact that will be felt for years to come.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Gibbs
This classroom project was brought to life by Girard Foundation and one other donor.A Classroom Library That Grabs Reluctant Readers
Funded Mar 5, 2019Thank you so much for your generosity in donating to my classroom library project. As a middle school English teacher, it can be difficult to find books that match the interests of my students. After my lessons each day, my students are given an opportunity to read, which they are asked to continue at home. For some, this is a treat and they do not waste a minute. For others, they struggle to find a book that interests them and often the reading in class is not continued at home. My goal was to get my students to enjoy reading more, and make it part of their daily lives, even when it was not required. For this project, I selected books that included characters as diverse as the students in my room. I also asked my most reluctant readers to tell me books that they were interested in reading. Many of these were new releases, or genres which I was lacking in my library.
When the new titles arrived, the students were incredibly excited. I put the new books on display and their vibrant colors were very inviting. Instantly, they began claiming the books and creating a waitlist for who would have them next. Several boys in my classes who have declared that they "are just not readers" and have never enjoyed a book were drawn to the graphic novels included in the project. I happy to say that they have now found books they love and are excited to read more. They have asked me to get more of these because they are hooked on the series. As a teacher, I know that it only takes one positive experience to open a student's mind to the magic of books. I plan to build on this newfound enjoyment of reading as my students move on to 8th grade. I will make sure that they have more books like this to welcome them!
Your donation will continue to impact my incoming students for many years to come. Thank you for helping to develop lifelong readers!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Gibbs
Hooking Reluctant 3rd Grade Readers
Funded Mar 27, 2017I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generous donation. The books we've received have created a huge impact in our classroom! The students were thrilled when they arrived. The books were completely different from any we had in our classroom. The collection included graphic novels, fiction about popular sports and unsolved mysteries. Right away, the students were claiming the books and creating wait-lists for who would get to read them next. Each and every student in my classroom will enjoy these books for years to come.
One student in particular, has struggled all year in the area of reading and has been difficult to match with books that catch his interest. I've tried, unsuccessfully to get him to love reading. He would halfheartedly go through books and remained below grade level. When we received the box from Donors Choose, the Unsolved Mystery set caught his eye. He asked to read the book about the Loch Ness monster. The book seemed like it might be too challenging for him, but I encouraged him to take it and give it a go. For the first time this year, he was excited to read and his motivation helped him to get through the text that was higher than his independent reading level. As soon as he finished that book, he wanted to read the whole set! I can't begin to tell you what an enormous moment that was for me. Finally, he was excited to read. It is what I had been hoping for all year.
It is amazing to see how students grow as readers when reading is something they get to do, not have to do. I really feel that these books changed this boy's entire attitude about reading. He wants to read now, and that is all I can ask for. That one magical book has lit a fire under him. I tested him this week and he has moved up several levels in reading! It is simply because he's excited about reading and realizes that books are the gateway to a whole new world. Without the high interest books that you helped our class receive, this would not have happened. Thank you so much for your generosity. It has made a huge difference in the lives of children.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Gibbs
This classroom project was brought to life by The Girard Foundation and 2 other donors.