Past projects 8
Where Fun Meets Learning—Excel With IXL!
Funded Dec 31, 2024Thank you so very much for all of your generous donations! IXL is such an amazing learning program for all students, especially my students who require specialized instruction. We will use this every single day! Your kindness is more than we could have ever asked for. We truly appreciate your donation!
We look forward to using IXL and sharing the progress with you!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Hahn
This classroom project was brought to life by Allison and Austin McChord and 5 other donors."Make Lightning Strike with a Percy Jackson Graphic Novel "
Funded Dec 19, 2024We cannot thank you enough for your kindness. We truly appreciate your thoughtfulness and generosity! My students will truly love and enjoy these books! You have brought so much joy to my students and me! You have made such a positive impact on their learning and engagement! You have truly made a difference!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Hahn
Flexible Seating= Increased Focus
Funded Jan 24, 2023First and foremost, we would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for supporting our classroom. Your generosity, kindness, and thoughtfulness are greatly appreciated.
As a group, we anxiously awaited the arrival of the wobble stools! One morning, in the middle of a class discussion, I was called down to the office over the intercom. First, I got a lot of "Oooh Ms. Hahn is in trouble!" comments and lots of giggles, but I knew what it might be--our stools! I let the office know that I would be down as soon as possible. When the bell rang, I asked a couple of responsible students to join me. When we arrived in the office, there were many large boxes, and looks of excitement came across my volunteers' faces! They helped me carry them up and as soon as we set them down in my room, they were hard at work pulling open the boxes. Alas, we had more stools! We had to try them out immediately. The kids loved them! It was a perfect moment, a pause in such an already busy day!
We keep the wobble stools in my classroom, but luckily, and thanks to you, we now have enough to put stools in the other classrooms to accommodate the busy schedule of middle school students as they travel from class to class! These stools are a great option for any student, but they are even more important to the population of students that I work with. Upon entering a classroom, most of my students immediately grab a wobble stool. The movement of the stool allows them to move his/her body while remaining focused on the task. This increases engagement and creates an overall more comfortable setting.
We cannot thank you enough for your donation. Our students love the stools and are very happy that we have them! As we move forward, we are researching other options for seating that will ensure a calm, safe, and inviting classroom in addition to our new stools!
Thank you so much!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Hahn
Help Keep My Students Busy with Busy Bands!
Funded Jan 28, 2019Thank you so much for your generous donations! We truly appreciate your help!
Our class absolutely loves our Busy Bands! The kids had been looking forward to them for some time! When they first arrived, I didn't tell them they were here, as I wanted to surprise them. When they came in the next day, with all the desks set up, they were ecstatic! They sprinted to their seats and bounced the Busy Bands excessively! Once the initial excitement wore off, the students continued to use them. They realized that they weren't a toy, but a tool that allowed them to move while working, helping keep them more focused. When we are in our classroom they use them constantly. As they work on tests and/or written assignments, I notice they bounce even more. When they are in classrooms with tables or desks that do not have Busy Bands, they tell me that they miss them! They often need a stress ball or other tool to keep them focused in other classrooms. We are so happy with the Busy Bands! They have been such a wonderful addition to our classroom!
With the success of the Busy Bands, we decided to try incorporating more physical activity within our lessons. When the kids are moving during a lesson, or getting motor breaks throughout lessons, they appear to be more focused, thus, completing more work. When he/she completes an assignment, they tend to feel better about themselves, improving his/her self esteem. It's a win-win all around! As the school year progresses, our class would like to move forward with finding other ways to keep our focus, keep us motivated and be more successful!
Again, thank you so very much for your kindness and generosity. We can not thank you enough.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Hahn
This classroom project was brought to life by Carol Kupers Whalen Memorial Fund and 7 other donors.Once. With Knowledge and Understanding It Won't Happen Again.
Funded Oct 26, 2017Thank you so much for this generous donation! My students were thrilled being able to use brand new books! Reading books dealing with the Holocaust can be very difficult because there is so much background information to cover beforehand. Previous to reading 'Once' students learn information about World War II and the Holocaust that helps them to understand the novel. I teach grades 6, 7 and 8, so each year, the students revisit the Holocaust with a different book. I read 'Once' with my sixth grade students. Some of my students also read 'Number the Stars.' In grade 7 my students read 'The Boy on the Wooden Box' and in grade 8 my students read 'Night.' Now that I have an awesome novel to read with grade 6, the students gain more and more information and insight that helps them as they move forward. Not only do this books give them a better idea of what the Holocaust was like but they also learn life lessons about how to treat people with love, respect and equality.
'Once' is a memoir is written from the point of view of Felix, a young man, who is faced with the horribleness of the Holocaust. The students instantly connect with Felix and enjoy how he narrates his story. They are able to witness the atrocities of the Holocaust but also to experience that love, family and friendship still finds a way.
There are many ways that I teach reading but no matter what I always like to use visuals. Using a Google Slide Show and a note taker graphic organizer, I gave the students background information on World War II and the Holocaust. Before each chapter we discussed vocabulary words, character, plot and other novel concepts. After each chapter we work on discussion questions as well as finding textual evidence to make predictions for what will come later in the story. There are days when the students read in whole group with me, but sometimes students are given a small section to read in partners or independently. When you're reading a great book, there is no wrong way to read it because everyone enjoys it so much!
We can not thank you enough for your donation. It has provided us with new books that are really making an impact on my students and how they view the world. They feel like they have the power to change it and make it a better place!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Hahn
Improve Reading Skills Through a Good Book!
Funded Oct 26, 2017Thank you so very much for your generous donations! I can not begin to describe how absolutely wonderful it has been for the students to have brand new books to read! The books: 'The Great Gilly Hopkins,' 'Old Yeller' and 'Holes' have always been tremendously successful novels in my classroom overall but even more now that the books are not falling apart!
For each novel, I create a novel work unit which includes vocabulary activities separated by chapter, character lists, a chapter summary organizer, comprehension work, character activities, skill activities (foreshadowing, figurative language, etc.) and activities that are a little more fun, like creating a small project so students can use their creativity! Students also have a checklist so that they can be organized as we go read through a novel.
'Old Yeller' is so awesome! We work on a lot of background knowledge before beginning the book so they can understand the setting and time period. They absolutely love the relationship that the narrator, Travis, has with his dog, Old Yeller and with his little brother, Arliss. All of the students relate to Travis's character and laugh at his interactions with the other characters. They also really enjoy reading about the relationship that Travis and Old Yeller have and watching it flourish. When Old Yeller has to be killed at the end, there is not one dry eye in the room. Although set in the 1870's, the students really connect with the past and realize that no matter what time period, people always have the same friendships, relationships and challenges to overcome.
'The Great Gilly Hopkins' really resonates with so many of my students because they connect with Gilly, who is a foster child. At first Gilly is angry and hates her placement but soon she develops feelings for her foster family. I have quite a few students who have been in the foster care system and understand the many ups and downs that Gilly experiences including being disappointed in her mother. Also, many of the students learn that even though life may not be perfect, there will always be friends, family and teachers to support them. This book also left my students in tears as Gilly grows as a character finally setting in with her biological grandmother.
'Holes' is a fantastic novel to read that hooks the students right away. They love the connections that are strewn throughout the book. Stanley, the main character, is dynamic, changing as the novel goes forward. The underlying theme of self worth, confidence and friendship is so inspiring. Stanley finds himself at Camp Green Lake for a crime he did not commit. Accepting his fate, he creates friendships, stands up to bullies and eventually escapes. His journey exposes Camp Green Lake for what it is connecting it to what happened in the town of Green Lake a hundred years prior. After reading the novel, the students still quote characters to this day.
Each of these books has made tremendous impact on my students, each one in a different way. Many of my students connect with a character, with the scenario or even with one of the conflicts. These books have been outstanding! I can not thank you enough!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Hahn
Connecting With a Character in a Book is Magical.
Funded Oct 19, 2017We can not thank you enough for your donation. Both books, "Slam" and "A Solitary Blue" are a huge success in my 8th grade classes. Both novels have a complex main character that deal with adversity in school and at home. My students make connections to the struggles and growth of these characters.
In "Slam" many students relate to the main character, Gregg aka 'Slam.' Greg attends a non-diverse 'magnet school,' in New York City. Although he has a difficult time in his academic classes, Slam excels in art and is a superb basketball player. Through the novel Slam learns how to avoid negative outside conflict and focus on school. He also learns to look at life like a basketball game; everyone is playing a role. Once Slam is able to focus on himself he is able to mature as a character and move toward success. Throughout the novel students answer basic comprehension questions, work on character charts that focus on character development, vocabulary skills including slang words and analyze setting, mood, tone and the overall plot. Along with the novel work, we also follow a sideshow I created that includes images from New York City to help them visualize the setting.
Many of my students struggle with reading and most of them love basketball so this book engages them from the very beginning. My students have become inspired to work hard and give 100% despite the hand the world has dealt them.
In "A Solitary Blue" we meet a character that is very different from "Slam" but he also faces many struggles especially at home. Jeff's mother unexpectedly leaves him and his father whom he calls 'The Professor.' He and his father have a very distant and strained relationship. As Jeff's mother, Melody, walks in and out of his life, Jeff and his father's relationship blossoms. Jeff learns why his father is the way he is, the truth about his mother and mostly about who he is. Jeff faces many obstacles and challenges in order for his character to mature and grow. His journey allows him to learn that even parents aren't perfect. The novel work for "A Solitary Blue" is similar to that of "Slam." They have basic comprehension work as well as other activities like vocabulary, foreshadowing and character development.
The students often connect to Jeff because many of my students live in a one parent home where a parent may filter in and out of their lives. Also, my students have realized at a young age that their parents are not perfect and that it may not even be the best thing to have that one of them in their lives. For me, this is sad and unfortunate but for many of my students this is reality. When you can relate to a character like Jeff, who is going through similar situations, it is nice to feel like you're not alone.
There is nothing better than sitting back and reading a good book. I remember reading books from middle school and high school that I will never forget. I believe that "Slam" and "A Solitary Blue" have done the same with my students. Thank you so much. Again, we truly appreciate the new books. They will be enjoyed over and over and over again.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Hahn
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose.org Community and 3 other donors.Overcoming Adversity One Book at a Time!
Funded Dec 23, 2016Thank you very much for your donation. The students were thrilled to receive brand new books. We even took a moment to smell them! There is nothing quite like the new book smell! My students typically get books that are very-used and often falling apart so to have a new book is something very special. More importantly, the content of the books has impacted my students so much. I believe that they will carry the stories of Elie Wiesel and Leon Leyson with them throughout their lives.
Before reading 'Night' with 8th grade and 'The Boy on the Wooden Box' with 7th grade, both classes discussed, took notes and reviewed World War II, focusing on the Holocaust. They all appeared to be very interested in that part of History. The History teachers in the building told me that they continued to ask questions about this topic outside of my class, in History class. This was exactly the spark I needed to introduce the books.
My 8th grade students were immediately hooked on 'Night.' Many of them could not and would not put the book down. We were able to have serious class discussions about what it means to overcome adversity and how every person has a different story to tell. They realized that we all have something that we must come face to face with and how we can work hard to get passed it. The students felt like if Elie Wiesel could survive the Holocaust that they can get through the tough times they experience as well. We also focused on discussing the emotion of 'hate.' It is such a powerful emotion, yet, often times people don't know why they hate one another. I could see a change in the relationships between the students in class. Often times they are very hard, even mean, to one another and I believe reading this book changed the way they approached one another. Although 'Night' is such a horrifying and often depressing book, the real message relays strength and hope. This is something that each of my students has and reading this book has changed the way many of them think and how they approach situations. I can not thank you enough for the donation. It is so much more than just reading a book. It was an entire experience and life lesson.
My 7th grade students reading 'The Boy on the Wooden Box' had a similar experience as my 8th grade students. Although this story is not as vivid as Night, it still expresses the horrible, tragic, Holocaust. My students have never asked so many questions and answered so many questions! They were hooked immediately. Most of them were able to relate to Leon, seeing that they are very similar in age to him. They did not agree with all of the choices he made but of course, they were looking back knowing what the consequences were that Leon was not aware of at the time. They were able to understand that even though the Holocaust was a horrible part of history there still remained heroes, like Oskar Schindler. We had many discussions talking about even in times of war, when people are filled with hatred, there are still people that are able to find their way and be heroes. After sharing personal stories, my students feel like they are able to push through their hardships and be the best person they can be.
These books made reading in my class a time of relaxation and realization. Sometimes we read the books through guided reading, sometimes we read aloud together and other times the students read independently. Some of my students got cozy on the floor or in the corner, other students stayed at their desks and they read. Not only did they read, they understood. They may not have understood all of the vocabulary, the figurative language and the mechanics of the books, but they understood the message and connected it to their own lives and that is what truly matters.
Thank you so much. We all truly appreciate your help!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Hahn