Ms. McNally's Classroom Edit display name

Past projects 16

• Solar Cars: Design the Future!

  Funded Nov 30, 2021

  When I first opened the boxes with the solar cars, my kids couldn't believe it! "We get to make those!?" they asked. They were very excited about putting together, painting, and then testing out the cars.

  My students had a blast putting together, painting, and finally testing out their solar cars! It was so great to see the kids work together to help each other fit in certain pieces of the cars. You could see the kids who felt very comfortable putting things together, and at the same time you could see the kids who needed some reassurance to keep trying their best to figure it out. Either way, the kids were engaged and having fun throughout the entire process. Kids had the opportunity to show off their creative sides when it came to painting their cars. We had rainbows, camouflage, ladybugs, and much more! When we finally got to take the cars to the streets (well, the sidewalk in front of our school), the kids were trilled to see their cars moving in the sunlight. Many of them noticed that as soon as the cars went into the shade, they stopped. If someone's car wasn't working, kids worked together to help that person problem solve and make their car go.

  Now that kids have seen the possibilities that solar energy can offer, we will continue our conversations about renewable energy and how this can help us live more sustainable lives. Thank you for making this possible in my classroom!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. McNally

  This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 10 other donors.

• Teaching Antiracism through Reading

  Funded Aug 7, 2021

  Thank you so much for your generous donations! I am thrilled that this project has been funded and I look forward to reading and learning with my students this school year. My kids will be so excited to get their own copy of “Stamped For Kids” as we continue the crucial conversations about racism to help build a better future for our everyone.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. McNally

• Read, Discuss, Learn: Tackling Social Issues Together

  Funded Sep 3, 2020

  Thank me to your generous donations, my students have access to the amazing book, "From the Desk of Zoe Washington." We will be able to read this book as a class and tackle some of the challenging social and racial issues that the book presents.

  My kids are avid readers and always eager to learn more about what is happening in the world. My kids are passionate about standing up for what is right and creating a more just society.

  During these trying times, kids have been challenged by so many new things in their lives. Having a book that we can read and discuss together allows kids to have conversations and share personal stories. It is a great way to connect with others, and your donations have made this possible. Thank you!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. McNally

• Carry-Out School Supplies

  Funded Aug 11, 2020

  Thank you so much for your generous donation! My students utilize the school supplies you helped us purchase every day, whether they are in school or learning from home.

  You have made it possible for kids to have access to paper, crayons, markers, tape, model magic, and scissors to ensure that they can complete their learning activities wherever they are.

  My students were very excited to receive their personal kit of school supplies and couldn't believe that they were able to bring one set home. My students and their families didn't have to worry about the cost of purchasing school supplies during this difficult time. We really appreciate your support!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. McNally

  This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 9 other donors.

• Creativity and Learning Through Art

  Funded Aug 17, 2019

  Thank you very much for your amazingly generous donation to my class. With the new art materials, my kids have been creating some amazing things. They absolutely love drawing, cutting, taping, molding, and stapling to see what they can create. They are always so eager to share their creations with classmates and teachers.

  Recently, I gave the students the task of making a special present for one of their classmates. They were allowed to use any of the art materials we have in the classroom. I was blown away by their creativity and interest in making something for someone else. When the kids gave and received their gifts from a classmate, the smiles on their faces couldn't have been any bigger.

  Thank you for giving my students the opportunity to be creative and work with their hands. They have truly enjoyed using all of the art materials in our classroom, that are there because of your donation. Please know that we all appreciate your support and that my students are benefiting from it on a daily basis.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. McNally

  This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 10 other donors.

• Together, We Can Solve The Mystery!

  Funded Jul 31, 2018

  Thank you so much for your generous donations! Because of you, my students have been fully immersed in the exciting reading genre of mystery. They love the excitement of tracking the clues and the characters. They love discovering when they come across a red herring that the author uses to throw them off track. They've learned so much about how to keep clues and suspects organized in order to create theories about who might have committed the crime.

  When it is time for reading, my kids rush to get their books and get into their book clubs. They get straight to their reading, and when it is time to share, everyone is hoping to be the first one to share their new suspects or clues. The mystery books are so engaging, that even the reluctant readers in my classroom are interested and even excited about getting their next book club book.

  Thank you again for making all of this possible in my classroom. The kids and I all appreciate your donations and we have gained so much from these books.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. McNally

• Can You Hear Me Now?

  Funded Oct 23, 2018

  Thank you so much for your amazing donation! Because of you, my kids have been enjoying listening to videos, and audiobooks each and every day in the classroom. Kids love when I tell them they can grab an iPad and find a cozy spot in the classroom to read. The rush to get their headphones and begin listening to a story.

  So much can be gained by listening to audiobooks. Kids learn about fluency and tone, as well as pacing in reading. This gives kids opportunities to access books they might not be able to read on their own.

  I love when I see the excitement on my students' faces when they read something amazing or watch an interesting video that enhances their learning.

  Thank you very much for your hugely impactful donation. My kids will be able to use these headphones to gain access to new concepts and ideas.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. McNally

• Refill, Not Landfill!

  Funded Jun 22, 2016

  Thank you very much for contributing to our awesome new water fountain. More than 500 students are benefiting from this new water fountain. The kids cannot stop talking about how great the cold water is when then come in from a hot recess. Not only do the kids enjoy the cold water, but the teachers in the building love being able to refill their water bottles throughout the day.

  When the students in my school first saw the water fountain, they were super excited. The new water fountain replaced a very old one. The new one cools the water and it is much more satisfying than the warm water that used to come out of the old fountain.

  The new water fountain serves as a daily reminder to students and adults to reduce waste. This water fountain allows people to refill their reusable water bottles. Therefore, people in our school are using fewer plastic water bottles, which in turn is reducing waste. The students in our school love learning about and taking action to reduce waste. This is just one step in the "green" direction.

  Thank you very much for your help in making all of this possible! We really appreciate your support of our school.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. McNally

  This classroom project was brought to life by Tom's of Maine and 19 other donors.

• Sit Back, Relax, and Learn!

  Funded Nov 12, 2015

  Thank you very much for your amazing donations! My students are loving their new pillows and ball chair. They use them throughout the school day. They cozy up in a corner with a few pillows and a book. They use the ball chair to work independently at their seats or complete group work with classmates.

  My students were thrilled when they first saw the new supplies. One of my students asked me to open up the ball chair as soon as we got it so he could try it out. My students are very respectful with the materials. They do a great job sharing the pillows and taking turns on the ball chair.

  We plan to continue to use the pillows and the ball chair in our classrooms. Students will be using the pillows while they begin their study of fantasy writing and reading book clubs. We can't wait!

  Thank you very much again for your donations. We appreciate your support!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. McNally

• Fidgit It Out!

  Funded Sep 29, 2014

  I wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you again for your wonderful donations to my students and my classroom. When the foot rests, yoga balls, fidgets, and timers arrived, my students were thrilled! They enjoyed getting to test out the various textures of the fidgets and the way it feels to sit on a yoga ball. When I told them these items were donated by people who care deeply about their education, they couldn't believe it. They wanted me to promise that I would share their gratitude with you.

  My students have grown tremendously in their ability to stay on task and complete assignments. Much of this growth is due to the materials you generously helped donate to our classroom. As you can see in the photos, my students benefit from using the yoga balls while learning on the carpet as well as back at their work tables. My students also benefit from using the fidgets to help them stay focused and on task. Because of this, they are learning more of the content we are studying in school and they are having a great time doing it.

  Once again, thank you very much for contributing to the success of all of my students. Your donations are greatly appreciated!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. McNally