Past projects 5
My Favorite Games Are Reading Games!
Funded Nov 21, 2023Thank you for your donation. I was searching for a way to make reading exciting to review! Games are not just play with no purpose. When kids play games with each other, it gives them something to talk about. The key is providing students with a structure that fosters productive discussions and academic vocabulary. This can include sentence frames or guided questions that are specific to the game.
While my kids are engrossed with playing reading games, I am free to observe and assess in an informal setting. I can watch the actions they take and the decisions they make. I can record what I notice by taking notes. My kids don't notice what you I am doing and the pressure of "testing" is not present.
Depending on the type of game, students can work in groups or pairs. Working with peers helps improve interpersonal skills (communicating, being a team player, problem-solving, etc.) The time spent with face to face interactions provides the practice needed to develop these skills. My students need help with these skills. That is why it is very important that I repeatedly model for students how these skills look. Playing games is a great way to practice them. They have loved adding all of our new materials to our classroom!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Callaway
Math Is My Favorite Game!
Funded Jan 24, 2023Thank you for your donation. I was searching for a way to make math exciting to review! Games are not just play with no purpose. When kids play games with each other, it gives them something to talk about. The key is providing students with a structure that fosters productive discussions and academic vocabulary. This can include sentence frames, Math Talk cards or guided questions that are specific to the game.
While my kids are engrossed with playing math games, I am free to observe and assess in an informal setting. I can watch the actions they take and the decisions they make. I can record what I notice by taking notes. My kids don't notice what you I am doing and the pressure of "testing" is not present.
Depending on the type of game, students can work in groups or pairs. Working with peers helps improve interpersonal skills (communicating, being a team player, problem-solving, etc.) The time spent with face to face interactions provides the practice needed to develop these skills. My students need help with these skills. That is why it is very important that I repeatedly model for students how these skills look. Playing games is a great way to practice them. They have loved adding all of our new materials to our classroom!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Callaway
Can You Hear Me Now?!
Funded Dec 13, 2022Thank you so much for your donation to my project. I wanted the Qball for my third grade classroom to encourage my students to participate in class. They love being able to throw it as well as talk into it! They are volunteering more and can hear their classmates better when answering questions. They know they have to pay attention so that they can catch and use the ball when it is their turn!
Before the Qball, and on days when I don't have it ready to use, I have the same hands going up during each class. Students depend on the few avid talkers to carry the conversation along, and I end up having to ask others to talk. I was having a hard time hearing the answers that the students gave. I knew if I couldn't hear them, the other students were missing their answers as well. Students were also off task when they were on the carpet during instruction time, and now I no longer have that issue!
I love seeing students who otherwise would not be brave enough to answer take a chance at talking in front of their peers. I also love the engagement the Qball brings by giving students a stronger and louder voice during class. My students can hear each other when they are giving answers and are much more willing to participate in class discussions when they can use the Qball!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Callaway
This classroom project was brought to life by Optimum.Can You Hear Me Now?!
Funded Dec 13, 2022Thank you so much for your donation to my project. I wanted the Qball and speakers for my third grade classroom to encourage my students to participate in class. They love being able to throw it as well as talk into it! They are volunteering more and can hear their classmates better when answering questions. They know they have to pay attention so that they can catch and use the ball when it is their turn!
Before the Qball and speakers, and on days when I don't have it ready to use, I have the same hands going up during each class. Students depend on the few avid talkers to carry the conversation along, and I end up having to ask others to talk. I was having a hard time hearing the answers that the students gave. I knew if I couldn't hear them, the other students were missing their answers as well. Students were also off task when they were on the carpet during instruction time, and now I no longer have that issue!
I love seeing students who otherwise would not be brave enough to answer take a chance at talking in front of their peers. I also love the engagement the Qball brings by giving students a stronger and louder voice during class. My students can hear each other when they are giving answers and are much more willing to participate in class discussions when they can use the Qball and speakers!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Callaway
This classroom project was brought to life by Optimum and 3 other donors."Dash"-ing Into 3rd Grade!
Funded Oct 30, 2018Thank you so much for your donations!!! My class did not know that my project was funded until they saw the boxes. Their faces lit up! They helped me name the Dashes...we now have Jade, Roberto, and Fifi as part of our class. I already had 1 Dash Robot. I had been able to show them a few tricks, but it was hard to implement due to the student ratio. Now we have enough to use during group time!
Most students have earned their "drivers licenses" through the puzzle apps. It is a fun and different resource to use in school. The students love completing puzzles with the "Blockly" app. I love the problem solving component that comes with the puzzles! They have learned to code Dash to drive, turn, talk, listen, and SO much more!
I CAN NOT wait to start incorporating Dash into my small group rotations. I plan on using task cards that I already have, and having students drive Dash through a maze and answering questions. This project was able to bring a new level of technology to our classroom.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Callaway
This classroom project was brought to life by Craig Newmark Philanthropies and 5 other donors.