Past projects 12
Trending: Tomorrow's Technocrats
Funded Jan 6, 2022Thank you for all you gave. My students and I are indeed grateful.
For many of my students, the things you gifted them made a phenomenal impact. The first of the gifts to find extensive use with students were the tissues. Arriving during the winter and cold season was the opportune time. There is never enough for their coughs and colds.
The sit/stand table was paramount for several students who needed to stand for most of the class block to do their work comfortably. The microphones allowed those with softer voices to be heard. During oral reading and acting out plays, students were able to make extensive use them.
Creating a podcast on any topic of interest has been the highlight of my students class projects. They were able to create great discussions to share with their classmates. Many shy students who would not have engage otherwise found their niche in creating podcasts. The lamps did enlighten the very dark room.
Dear donors, my students and I extend our heartfelt thanks once again for your kindness.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Preddie-St. Clair
This classroom project was brought to life by The JD Sports/Finish Line Youth Foundation.Sharp and Ready
Funded Oct 30, 2019Who would believe that a pencil sharpener could elicit joy or even change the way students get ready for work in the classroom?
The Bostitch Professional Quiet Glow electric pencil sharpener is a phenomenal tool. My students love it. No more sharpening a pencil that breaks all the time. Once they put their pencil in, the blue glowing light alerts them that the pencil is sharpened- in less than seven (7)seconds.
The markers and pencils are being put to great use. Students are able to draw and highlight important work.
At our PREP SPOT students pick up pencils and sharpen them as they prepare for the work day. What usually took several minutes, just takes a few seconds, helping to maximize the time spent on classwork. My students are now developing the practices necessary to succeed.
Dear Donors, my students continue to be astonished, but thankful and appreciative that there are kind people willing to help them.
Thank you, for assisting my students in the practice of being "sharp and ready to work."”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Preddie-St. Clair
This classroom project was brought to life by An anonymous classroom supporter and 3 other donors.Students Who Stand and Deliver!
Funded Feb 18, 2019MAY 21, 2019
When the boxes with the Super Easel pads arrived students were ecstatic. With the Super sticky Easel pads, they can make anchor charts that allow them to have important information on the walls around them.
The sticky pads came at an opportune time and were ideal for a project in which they were engaged. They were able to post their ideas and data so that all could see what was happening.
Although it was the last article we received, the Sit-Stand desk is phenomenal. We are thrilled. The students envisioned what a classroom would be with each student at their own standing desk. They think it would make collaborating with each other much easier. The desk is being used both by my students and me. When students are not using it, I am.
My students continue to be astounded, but appreciative, that no matter the request, there are kind people willing to help them.
Thank you donors, for assisting my students. Your gifts are a great help to a classroom in which students are able to participate in activities that allow them to be more dynamic and energetic.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Preddie-St. Clair
The Journey To Independence.
Funded Aug 10, 2017My students were ecstatic when the boxes with your gifts arrived. They were amazed, but thankful that there are kind people willing to help them succeed.
Usually, I would organize and do all the hole - punching and stapling. With the whole punchers and staplers you have provided, each group of students have now taken over the responsibility to arrange and organize handouts for themselves. Instead of me photocopying note sheets, the students are able to make their own since they have rulers to do it themselves. Students like the fact that they are held responsible for order in the classroom.
With the large sticky note pads, they can make charts that stick well to the walls. They no longer have to tape paper to the wall – a difficult task since the tape never stays in place.
Learning to depend on themselves and each other, prepare them for what obtains at college.
My students have become quite independent and no longer expects me to do what they can now do for themselves.
Thank you donors, for assisting my students on the journey to independence.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Preddie-St. Clair
Above And Beyond Books
Funded Mar 4, 2010My students are enjoying the use of both the books and the comfortable carpet and bean bag chairs. It is amazing to see students who claim not to like reading begin to enjoy sitting in comfort with a good book. Would you believe that both my 9th and 12th graders are showing the same excitement for our Reading Zone?
Students have read more books because they are able to relax while reading. They also engage in conversation as they exchange information about what they are reading. Many are now able to write great reflections on what they have read. Learning is taking place in the most pleasurable way.
It is therefore with great joy and humility that we express our heartfelt gratitude. Our reading zone is indeed a pleasurable part of our class. Students from other classes are asking if they could borrow our books, or use our zone during their study hall. The carpet and bean bag chairs are indeed a great hit, and an enticement to read. Thank you ever so much for your generosity.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Preddie-St. Clair
This classroom project was brought to life by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and 21 other donors.Keeping The Dream Alive
Funded Mar 7, 2010Thank you for responding to my students' request for books.
They began reading the class set of "Black & White" by Paul Volponi and it is amazing how quickly they became so engaged in the text. Here they see a story about their own lives. In just two days of reading, we have had so much interaction and discussion! They are further developing their critical thinking skills and are making their thinking visible (MTV)- an important part of their reading.
It is so important that my students have books in our classroom that keep them engaged, learning, and preparing for college. Thanks to your generosity my students are becoming critical readers. Thank you for continuing to allow them to learn how to "fly."
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With gratitude,
Mrs. Preddie-St. Clair
This classroom project was brought to life by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and one other donor.A Computer To Help Pave The Way To College
Funded Oct 19, 2009Even I did not expect the wonderful desktop computer my class received through your wonderful generosity. Students were present at the time the box arrived and could not wait to take out the computer. The shouts of joy brought such great satisfaction.
My students began using the computer as soon as it was set up. They are now able to complete projects that could not be done on the old PC we have. Students are involved in making movies and developing advertisements based on books they have read, instead of just writing book reviews. Our first movie was done on a book called "Stuck in Neutral" by Terry Trueman. Students developed footage using pictures, music and words to express both their understanding and feelings
about Cerebral Palsy and one of the major themes in the story- being misunderstood. You would be so proud of their efforts; and viewing it on the IMAC computer was quite a treat for all.
Dear donors, we cannot express how appreciative we are for this wonderful tool your have generously allowed us to use. In an environment in which students have very little at home in terms of books and technology, my students now have an opportunity to use the very best! They are being prepared for the college environment where they would be expected to use up to date technology and to research and present information in a graphic way. It has made both instruction and learning much more interesting. Students are so excited that they want to create a movie or ad for every book they read. It is amazing that this one computer has elicited so much joy and constructive learning. My students are being equipped with the hands on knowledge that would contribute to their success. Thank you ever so much for helping my students to not only develop the skills necessary to be successful, but to also experience your generosity.
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With gratitude,
Mrs. Preddie-St. Clair
This classroom project was brought to life by Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation and one other donor.Repaving The Pathway To College
Funded Oct 19, 2009Thank you for the books you have recently donated to my students. Each day we do SSR (Self Selected Reading) when students choose a book to read. Thank you for continuing to allow them to further develop their fluency as they read books they enjoy.
As we unpacked your gift, students jumped for joy as they viewed the various titles they suggested to you. More and more my students are not only becoming better readers, but they are also learning that they need to be appreciative and say thank you to donors like yourselves, who have shown them that there are people who care about their future. The books arrived in time for us to begin our study of "Night," the class set you so graciously donated to us. My heartfelt gratitude for what you have done for my students and by extension, all children. ”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Preddie-St. Clair
This classroom project was brought to life by Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation and one other donor.Building Confidence As We Dream Of College
Funded Oct 6, 2009My students are ecstatic about the Audience Response System, and it is with great enthusiasm that they started using this wonderful gift you so kindly donated. One young lady was so elated over the fact that "Now I could answer questions without worrying about making mistakes while the other students watch me."
With the system, students are eager to attempt answering questions they may have shied away from under normal circumstances. It does my heart good to see so many of the very reserved students engage animatedly in exercises they would not have even attempted without a lot of coaxing.
Thank you so very much for putting smiles on the faces and in the hearts of my students, whose primary goal is to graduate high school and go on to college.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Preddie-St. Clair
This classroom project was brought to life by Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation and one other donor.Reading And Writing To Change The World
Funded Apr 17, 2009You should see the excitement on my students' faces as I unpacked the books you donated. They all jumped right into reading, expressing joy at titles such as The Lost Boy and The Freedom Writers Diary.
For struggling readers, it matters when they have books to which they can relate.
They now walk into the class and head straight for our book shelf.
After reading, they then write reflections on what they have read. This activity has allowed them to further develop their critical thinking skills.
The books have really engaged students in several ways. Each story in some way links to the life of a student. My students live in an environment in which there are little to no books at home. Some have even asked to take a book home so that a brother or sister could get the opportunity to read. Students from other classes also ask to borrow books. I believe the titles we have relate so closely to their own lives that they are eager to read about kids like themselves who have been able to overcome all the hardship and struggles to grow beyond their environment.
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Thank you again for helping my students develop into avid readers.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Preddie-St. Clair
This classroom project was brought to life by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and 7 other donors.