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Ms. Shannon's Classroom

  • Winthrop STEM Elementary Magnet School
  • New London, CT
  • More than three‑quarters of students from low‑income households Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more

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Past projects 6

  • Equality in Distance Learning

    Funded Aug 30, 2020

    I cannot thank you enough for your generosity! It is hard to describe the impact of your donation during this unusual time. This year has certainly presented unique challenges and opportunities! My students have had to adapt to smaller class sizes, missing their friends, shorter school days, wearing masks all day, staying far apart from others, constant hand washing, and using technology as the main source of their education (just to name a few changes). My school is alternating between a hybrid model, where students are in school 2 days each week and learn from home using their Chrome Books 3 days each week, and a full 5 days at home model (depending on contact tracing). As you can imagine, having the proper technology is essential to their success this year.

    Thanks to your donations, we were able to provide every single fifth grader in our classes a mouse and a headset. When students are working from home, the headsets cut down on distractions and background noise and allow them to focus on their work. The difference in our class meetings is more than noticeable. The mice allow students to complete their on-line assignments with much less frustration than using the touch pad.

    I am sharing some pictures of students hard at work in class but also a few shots of their "at home" days when we shared Halloween costumes and Christmas trees. I am so proud of the independence, flexibility and empathy my students have shown this year and I am excited to tell you that I have 100% participation on their "at home" days. I believe this is a direct result of their having the proper tools and that is thanks to you!”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Shannon

  • Kindness Counts!

    Funded Nov 17, 2018

    I can't thank you enough for your generous donation to my classroom library. As a STEM teacher, I don't get to read with children anywhere near as much as I'd like to! I make it a point to read aloud to my homeroom students each morning during our 15 minutes together before their day gets going. I typically read novels that focus on kindness and empathy, but there are times when I look for a specific story to share that highlights a social skill we need to work on. These books are perfect. Each book shares the experience of a fictional child struggling with a social skill. We can then have a class discussion about the social skill and strategies to improve our classroom community in a way that doesn't make children feel singled out or uncomfortable - our character is fictional (though they may relate). I am confident that sharing these stories with students will improve their coping skills and strategies and, as a result, improve our classroom environment!”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Shannon

  • Fish Are Friends

    Funded Apr 1, 2018

    I cannot thank you enough for your generous donation to my classroom. The aquarium was a huge hit - both scientifically and emotionally! Students were able to set up the tank and monitor the water conditions every week. The tank started off super clear and became cloudy after a week or so. They tested the water and found that everything was fine and the fish have survived so we remain optimistic that it will clear soon. They also learned that when we change the water out, it can be used for our classroom plants. The plants, by the way, are thriving.

    We were also able to integrate the aquarium into our daily mindfulness practice. Students have learned a variety of strategies to increase mindfulness and to help them calm their emotions. Many students found that sitting near the aquarium for a few minutes and watching the fish did the trick!

    They couldn't wait to name the fish (two were named after our student teacher). The female beta is Ruth Beta Ginsburg and we have a Helen Miroulis in there (a had a student who wrestles and she got to meet her in person!). They also named several after their favorite book characters (Auggie from Wonder and Zinkoff from Loser).

    All in all, the aquarium was a wonderful addition to my classroom and I look forward to introducing next year's students to both the care and feeding of fish and the mindfulness practice of observing.”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Shannon

  • Flexible Seating for Fifth Grade

    Funded Aug 24, 2017

    My students are LOVING the flexible seating options. I had to create rotating seat assignments so all children could get the opportunity to try all types of seats. We even had a couple of parents pitch in and make some special ottomans for the classroom! As with any "new" feature of the classroom, I conducted a guided discovery lesson with the seats so students could learn how to best use the choices. We discussed how for some students, the seats are a plus, for others a minus, and for some they are neutral (meaning they neither add nor distract from the learning). Students talked about how they can decide for themselves what works best and how we can all make sure everyone has what they need to learn and do their best. Now that we've been using the seating for several weeks, students are settling into the version that helps them most. Students who frequently find themselves redirected for off task behavior in other settings are doing much better in my classroom. It's wonderful to watch their intense focus on independent learning tasks as they bounce gently on the exercise ball, or sit pretzel style on an ottoman. It truly does make a difference!”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Shannon

  • Don't Sit Still!

    Funded Dec 14, 2016

    I cannot thank you enough for your generous contribution to my classroom. The original seating I had ordered was unavailable - and this turned out to be a good thing! The chairs I had requested were very expensive. For the same amount of money as the 5 chairs, I was able to order enough optional seating for every student in my room. Students choose from exercise balls, stools, ottomans, or regular chairs with wiggle cushions. The response from the students was immediate and overwhelmingly positive. The seats allow them to select the amount of movement that is "just right" for them. You'd be amazed at how the ability to move, even just a little bit, during instruction helps students to focus on their learning. My students living with ADHD have benefited the most. They are able to focus and complete their assignments without leaving their seats and moving around the room. I only wish all classrooms could offer seating options to students!”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Shannon

  • Plants and Animals - Helping Each Other Survive!

    Funded Aug 3, 2016

    Dear Donors:

    Thank you so much for your generosity. I was able to get the aquarium set up prior to the start of the school year. I had fish in the aquarium and rosemary and basil growing in the plant area above. Families all commented on how amazing my room smelled during our open house! The students love having live animals in our classroom and one of our classroom jobs is taking care of them. Students were asked to fill out job applications for any position they wanted to fill and they overwhelmingly applied for "zookeeper." One student wrote on her application, " I feel that I would be the best for this position because I love and adore pets and I would take full responsibility for anything that happens to them." Another wrote, "I know I can do this job. I am loving and caring and I will cause no harm to the animals; only respect." These two zookeepers feed the fish daily and keep the water level up in the aquarium. Unfortunately, the first round of plants did not survive. Students are looking forward to adding new plants to the aquasprouts garden and will be taking a more active role in helping me keep them alive. Luckily, the fish have proved much heartier! Our life science unit is taught in the spring. At that point, the aquasprouts garden will become an integral part of my science instruction. Students will be making daily observations, testing the water, collecting data, and learning about the symbiotic relationship. They really learn so much better through direct experience. Again, I cannot thank you enough for supporting their learning.”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Shannon

    This classroom project was brought to life by Tom's of Maine and 6 other donors.
Students who demonstrate understanding can: 5-LS1-1. Support an argument that plants get the materials they need for growth chiefly from air and water. [Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on the idea that plant matter comes mostly from air and water, not from the soil.] This is a standard taken directly from the Next Generation Science Standards for fifth grade. NGSS is nationwide and Connecticut voted this past year to adopt those standards for our state. This project requests an AquaSprouts Garden Kit, a Hydrofarm Grow Light, one Freshwater Master Test Kit, a Culinary Herb Set, one Aquponic Betta Tank, an aquarium heater and thermometer. The AquaSprouts garden kit demonstrates to students that plants can grow without soil, provided they get the nutrients they need from water and air. It will also show students a symbiotic relationship between plants and animals. The fish in the aquarium feed off the roots of the plants, while the plants draw nutrients from the waste in the aquarium water. Both plants and fish are able to survive and thrive because of each other. Our class theme this year will be "working together as a community" and the AquaSprouts grow lab will show them that even in nature, working together benefits everyone!

About my class

Students who demonstrate understanding can: 5-LS1-1. Support an argument that plants get the materials they need for growth chiefly from air and water. [Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on the idea that plant matter comes mostly from air and water, not from the soil.] This is a standard taken directly from the Next Generation Science Standards for fifth grade. NGSS is nationwide and Connecticut voted this past year to adopt those standards for our state. This project requests an AquaSprouts Garden Kit, a Hydrofarm Grow Light, one Freshwater Master Test Kit, a Culinary Herb Set, one Aquponic Betta Tank, an aquarium heater and thermometer. The AquaSprouts garden kit demonstrates to students that plants can grow without soil, provided they get the nutrients they need from water and air. It will also show students a symbiotic relationship between plants and animals. The fish in the aquarium feed off the roots of the plants, while the plants draw nutrients from the waste in the aquarium water. Both plants and fish are able to survive and thrive because of each other. Our class theme this year will be "working together as a community" and the AquaSprouts grow lab will show them that even in nature, working together benefits everyone!

About my class

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