Ms. Pasquarella's Classroom Edit display name

Past projects 4

• Comfy and Cozy with Flexible Seating!!!

  Funded Mar 1, 2020

  Thank you for your generous donation in funding our classroom's flexible seating project! Because of your donation, my students are able to choose an alternative style of seating each day! When I introduced the Active Kids Chair to my class, they were extremely excited. They immediately wanted to learn what it was called and how to use them. The students were eager to sit on these alternative seats! Even though the students had the option of declining a seat and sitting in a classroom chair, no one chose the classroom chair, and everyone was enthusiastic about choosing a seat each day!

  This was the second time that I introduced flexible seating to my class and as the last time, I quickly saw an improvement in students' ability to focus during group and individual activities such as independent work, instructional work and math centers. Thanks to your generous donations my students can decide for themselves which type of seating works best for them and do their best learning. They developed an increased sense of responsibility as they chose their seat for the day and followed class expectations for our flexibly seating.

  I have noticed so far, a drastic decrease in disruption because the students were actively seeking out movement while working. I have also noticed a drastic increase in students focus and ability to remain happy while actively learning.

  Thank you for making flexible seating a reality in my classroom!!!"”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Pasquarella

• Organization Station!!

  Funded Sep 23, 2019

  Thank you for your generous donation in funding our classroom's cabinet project! Because of your donation, my students can have easy access to supplies and manipulatives whenever they need them! When I introduced the cabinet to my class, they were extremely excited. They immediately wanted to know what will be in it and how they could use it.

  When the cabinet was fully funded, we discussed as a class where the cabinet should go. The students used their measurement and reasoning skills to decide the best location in the classroom so they could easily access the contents without disrupting other students while doing so. We then decided as a class what items should go in the cabinet that they would need, such as paper, scissors, compasses, unit cubes, dictionaries, fraction circles, fraction rods, Pasteur pipettes, calculators, etc. This allowed the students to self-assess what it is that they would need on a daily or almost daily basis to help them succeed in mathematics. We also decided as a class that when anyone feels that something should be added, changed or removed they would bring it to the class and evaluate the idea together.

  I have noticed so far, a drastic increase in my students learning, focus and ability to remain happy while actively learning. My students can access the materials and manipulatives they need for all class assignments without having to wait for me to get them. Also, not all students use the same manipulatives in how they learn, so having the ability to choose what they need is empowering. What I did not plan on but has happened since the cabinet came is the increase in their organizational skills. Since we work together in keeping our cabinet, (and our classroom) organized and tidy so our class can run smoothly, the students have also learned how to keep their bookbags and personal materials also organized for easy learning.

  Thank you for making our cabinet project a reality in my classroom!!! Without you, we would not have anywhere to store our materials in our classroom. Having this cabinet has freed up a lot of space in our room and our materials do not get lost! That is a big plus. My students and I are grateful that they have this new cabinet. Thank you very much for helping us!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Pasquarella

  This classroom project was brought to life by Charles Schwab Foundation and 9 other donors.

• Getting Comfy and Cozy with Flexible Seating for Mathematical Learning!

  Funded Sep 15, 2019

  Thank you for your generous donation in funding our classroom's flexible seating project! Because of your donation, my students are able to choose an alternative style of seating each day! When I introduced the different types of seats to my class, they were extremely excited. They immediately wanted to learn what they were called and how to use them. The balance balls are the most popular in the class followed by the Wobble Chair, but the students were always eager to sit on any of these alternative seats! Even though the students had the option of declining a seat and sitting in a classroom chair, no one chose the classroom chair, and everyone was enthusiastic about choosing a seat each day!

  This was the first time that I introduced flexible seating to my class and I quickly saw an improvement in students' ability to focus during group and individual activities such as independent work, instructional work and math centers. Thanks to your generous donations my students can decide for themselves which type of seating works best for them and do their best learning. They developed an increased sense of responsibility as they chose their seat for the day and followed class expectations for our flexibly seating.

  I have noticed so far, a drastic decrease in disruption because the students were actively seeking out movement while working. I have also noticed a drastic increase in students focus and ability to remain happy while actively learning.

  Thank you for making flexible seating a reality in my classroom!!!"”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Pasquarella

  This classroom project was brought to life by Charles Schwab Foundation and 3 other donors.

• Learning Math With Hands On Activities

  Funded Sep 14, 2015

  When I received the material I was so excited and I knew my students would be as well. To introduce the material to the students I began by setting up a table displaying all of the items. As the students entered the classroom they were amazed at all the material that you have so graciously donated on their behalf. They walked around the table looking at every single item. When they were done we had a discussion on why these items were important and how we can use them in the classroom to help increase their learning of the concepts. They were ecstatic to know that they were going to be learning these concepts with hands-on material.

  The materials are being used in many ways from whole class instructions, individual practice, centers, interventions, review days, and connection of different concepts and curriculum. The students love using the Reusable Write & Wipe Pocket folders and use them at least 80% of every class period. They allow the students to work individually, make mistakes and correct them and use color to differentiate the steps they are taking while keeping their work legible. The students also love the Pick-A-Problem Math Warm-Ups. At the beginning of every class the students take turns in picking the problem of the day, project the card on the smartboard and then work on solving them in small groups. We also use this in centers for mixed reviews and practice. One of my students have told me that this is great because it keeps them on their toes as they never know what questions they may get. I use the Mall Math in centers, review days, and intervention days and the students enjoy it because it gives them real life problems that they can relate to. The best part about this is that the students are not only learning how they would use decimals and fractions in their lives but also how to self assess and evaluate their own work. Students ask all the time why do we need to learn this or how is this going to help them in the future. Mall Math shows them the how and why so the students become invested in their learning.

  The students will continue to improve their skills and extend their learning using the materials you have donated to us. They love working on hands-on material as it helps them learn the concepts instead of rote memorization. This type of learning will be with them for a lifetime. Thank you so much for you donation as it has been a blessing for my students.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Pasquarella

  This classroom project was brought to life by Smarties and one other donor.