Past projects 5
Diverse Books
Funded Dec 26, 2021Your donation that allowed over 80 books to be added to my classroom library has made a tremendous impact on my students. Having books that represent the diversity of my students has really made them feel included. As a part of our regular routines students borrow books from my classroom library to read at home. The hope is that they will continue to practice the skills taught in group at home with the books they selected.
When first introducing the new books to my students I allowed them all to choose one to take home before filing them away with the rest of the books in my library. They were able to take this additional book home on top of the 8-10 that I have them select when trading books. Many students walked right over to the table I had the books on and immediately found a book that excited them.
The best student reaction was to the book Sulwe. I have a student who is significantly below grade level expectations in reading and has shown little excitement over selecting books from my library all year. When I told her we would be taking some time to select a new book she immediately went over to the Sulwe book, picked it up and said she was getting it. I was shocked at the speed with which she selected the book. I also saw her mother in the office later that week and she thanked me for sending the book home. She also expressed excitement over the book. I know this will not be the last reaction like this to one of my new books, but this one instance makes it worth the time I spent creating this project and I hope it makes the money you donated feel worth it as well.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Kennedy
Core Engagement Stools
Funded Mar 27, 2018I can not tell you how much my students LOVE the stools you donated for them. I set them up at a side table as one of many options for flexible seating in my classroom. They all want to sit on the stools. At other times of the day, the stools even get brought over to the carpet to be used there. I have noticed an increase in the productivity of students working on these stools. They are a great addition to my classroom of wiggly students who crave movement in their day. My students also could not believe your company's generosity for funding all projects on the site that day. To say all of use were touched by the impact you made would be an understatement. Please keep doing what you believe in, our students NEED people like you!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Kennedy
This classroom project was brought to life by Ripple.Display and Reference Help
Funded Dec 5, 2017Thank you so much for funding my project to get a bulletin board. We had one blank wall in our classroom and the bulletin board was the perfect spot for it. There is now a place for student work to hang in our classroom as well as class jobs. The students enjoy looking at each others work. We recently completed a writing prompt in which students pretended they were 100 years old. Pictures were also taken of each student using an aging app. They are so excited to see their pictures and writing displayed in the classroom. Their work has been a conversation point and source of excitement for the past week. I wish you could hear and see their excitement as well as see the smiles on their faces. Again, thank you so much for your generous donation to our classroom, it is truly appreciated.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Kennedy
Balance Seats
Funded Dec 14, 2016Thank you so much for your support of my balance seats project. This year my classroom is full of active students. I have created opportunities for them to do their work standing up, lying on the rug or in their seats. They have become great at understanding which is the best way for them to complete their work. However, as much as I try to avoid it there are times when they have to sit at their desks while I instruct. Many of them had a difficult time with this. In the short time that these balance seats have been in my classroom I have noticed a huge difference in their ability to focus during those instructional times that require sitting at their desks.
At the beginning of the year I teach the important lesson of everyone gets what they need to succeed. This means that it is not always going to look as though I am treating everyone fairly. My students had great ideas and comments while they were learning this lesson, however, after the winter break I feel many of them needed a refresher on this lesson. We had a shorter discussion again and used the new balance seats as an example. Some students, who knew the balance seats were something they needed to succeed, asked if they could keep a balance seat at their desk now. Since we have so many in the classroom I was able to say yes. I wish I could have taken a picture of the excitement on their face when I was able to say yes. Thank you for allowing me to provide that excitement.
When my students first saw the balance seats they were very excited and had lots of questions about them. Before they were delivered we only had three balance seats total in the classroom. There are more than three students who benefit from them and therefore multiple students would go lessons or days without something that helped them to perform better in school. Many students were excited to learn that they would not have to trade off any longer. The older balance seats were red and the ones you helped donate to our classroom are green, students are now very eager to get a green one. They were also curious to know where we would keep all of the balance seats when we were not using them since they are large. Some students are keeping them at their desks, the rest are being stacked nicely in a place where all students can get them (see one of the pictures).
Additionally, I would like to express my gratitude for the positive impact you have had on my classroom. There has been a huge change in the way the classroom feels. Students are able to be active in their seats by sitting on the balance seat and can therefore pay attention more. The students in my class will be able to make much more progress thanks to your donation.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Kennedy
Things That Help Us Focus
Funded Mar 10, 2016Words can not express how thankful I am for your generous donation to my classroom. The headphones have made a tremendous difference in productivity and independence. My students could not have been more excited to receive the packages full of headphones. We received them in time to be able to use them for the difficult MCAS test, and many students benefited from the quiet they provide. Additionally, I see all of my students regularly identifying appropriate times to use the headphones to help them focus better. As you can see in the pictures the good idea of using them spreads like wildfire in my classroom. The students and I can not thank you enough for your generous donation. They also loved learning that you were a CHS alumni yourself.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Kennedy
This classroom project was brought to life by #BestSchoolDay and one other donor.