Past projects 14
A Book for Everyone!
Funded Aug 23, 2021This year is unique. I could tell right away that my students were looking for ways to feel normal again. Ways to get settled in, relax and read. Independent reading has been foundational to our community this year. The students missed holding real books--many of them only being able to read online last year. Now they are able to check out a book they have been wanting to read for 2 years and this has brought so much joy. That's what reading time feels like in our classroom. Joy. Students like what they are reading and in fact they are reading more than ever. I can't keep enough books on the shelf. The donations you have all contributed has meant that every child has a book they can take with them, read and enjoy then pass along to a classmate. It has helped them get back into the routine of school. The books from this donation have helped them make connections with each other, and of course me.
I am so appreciative of you. My students are too.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Sabina
This classroom project was brought to life by The Allstate Foundation and 6 other donors.Rebuild Our Library!
Funded Mar 16, 2021This year is unique. I could tell right away that my students were looking for ways to feel normal again. Ways to get settled in, relax and read. Independent reading has been foundational to our community this year. The students missed holding real books--many of them only being able to read online last year. Now they are able to check out a book they have been wanting to read for 2 years and this has brought so much joy. That's what reading time feels like in our classroom. Joy. Students like what they are reading and in fact they are reading more than ever. I can't keep enough books on the shelf. The donations you have all contributed has meant that every child has a book they can take with them, read and enjoy then pass along to a classmate. It has helped them get back into the routine of school. The books from this donation have helped them make connections with each other, and of course me.
I am so appreciative of you. My students are too.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Sabina
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 8 other donors.Books! Books! We Need More Books!
Funded Jul 19, 2019I want to start this thank you letter with a story. I'm a middle school ELA teacher with a roster of students. My students range in school experiences. Some come in with negative feelings toward books. A few days ago, during independent reading, a child was sitting, not reading. He was quiet, staring off, not reading. I watched him for a bit, thinking maybe he needed a minute to get settled. When he didn't move and stayed staring off, I knelt down to him and asked him: hey, what's going on? How come you're not reading? He said, this class is sooo boring....we don't do anything fun... trying not to take that personally,:) I replied: ok well maybe you haven't found a book you want to read yet. Come on, I want you to meet Star and one of my favorite authors, Ms. Angie Thomas. He was set up with a copy of The Hate You Give, an iPod with audible and a set of headphones. Within minutes—he was laughing! Star's colorful language immediately interested him. He continued reading and pages were turning with such intent...he was hooked.
Today, he was pulled from the room for something. He protested hard. No! I want to read my book!
Books change lives. Change perspectives. Thank you for giving that opportunity to not just one, but many of my students not just even this year but for years to come.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Sabina
7th Graders as Investigative Journalists!
Funded Jul 21, 2016To my gracious supporters:
I teach in a high poverty middle school located in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn. My students come to school with a wide-range of prior technology exposure. Some students have computers home, many don't. The computers that were delivered to my classroom are of such a high quality and can do so much for my students.
This year, students have been using the computers for reading. Through the grant, I was given 6 Chromebook laptops which are super fast and extremely user-friendly. Your money also paid for ten sets of sleek Sony headphones. The headphones are of high quality as well with clear sound. They have been reading books on the Internet and researching topics of their choice. Some students have been reading so much, they don't want to put the computers away!
In the short time that I have been using this tech in my classroom, the culture of my classroom has radically changed. My most dis-engaged readers are reading for 30 minutes plus each day. They used to walk reluctantly into class because reading was something the would dread. Now, they practically run in and can't wait to pick up where they left off in their books that they are reading and listening to.
Another amazing benefit of using this technology in class is one I didn't think of before I made the donation request. This technology has brought access to my most struggling students. I have several students reading 3 or 4 grades below grade level. The computers have given these students an opportunity to work on much needed skills to improve literacy ability. It's amazing to watch them grow.
Thank you one and all. This donation has made my classroom a happier place. My students appreciate you! I appreciate you!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Sabina