Mr. Toyama's Classroom Edit display name

Past projects 31

• A Tarantula In the Room?!?

  Funded Oct 26, 2011

  On behalf of my students, thank you so very much for your kind contributions towards the fulfillment of this project. My students could not keep their hands off of the books and preserved specimen (plastomount). Their natural curiosity was, as I anticipated, certainly piqued by the subject matter, with the books and specimen providing a non-threatening introduction to what, for many, was a previously terrifying monster.

  It was almost magical to see one student encourage another to hold or examine just the plasticized model, pointing out various features of the tarantula to the fearful "newbie," and then to see fears drop away. The materials that your kind generosity was able to provide has allowed my students to safely and comfortably explore the world of arachnids, starting with one of the largest of them all, the tarantula.

  We all anticipate the arrival of the live specimen, and an in-class contest to name it has become quite heated.

  Once again, thank you so much for your kind gift to my classroom. Your generosity will continue to educate young minds for years to come.”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Toyama

  This classroom project was brought to life by In A Perfect World and 5 other donors.

• Save the Bees! Learning About Wax

  Funded Dec 2, 2011

  On behalf of my students, thank you very much for your kind contribution to this project. Once they learned about the environmental costs of petroleum candles versus beeswax candles, they were eager to create their own. It was truly touching to see them carry off their finished products, literally passing the light of knowledge to others.

  Since the materials purchased through this project are non-consumable, they will continue to provide year after year of learning to students. Current students have asked how they can replicate this project on their own, and I am extremely pleased to see such ownership of the knowledge.

  Once again, thank you for your generous contribution.”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Toyama

  This classroom project was brought to life by In A Perfect World and 3 other donors.

• Making Earth-Friendly Beeswax Candles

  Funded Dec 16, 2011

  On behalf of my students, thank you very much for your kind donation towards this project. I can tell you that they were certainly amazed at the statistics for petroleum-based candles versus beeswax candles. Once empowered with this information, they were eager to make their own candles, literally sharing the light of knowledge with others. The mounted model of the honey bee life cycle was a particular hit with the students, allowing them to examine one up close for the first time with no fear.

  Since the only consumable items are the wax and wicks, your gift will allow me to continue this activity with year after year of students. My current students have asked about how they can replicate this project on their own, demonstrating just how much they've internalized this information.

  Once again, thank you for providing my students with an excellent learning opportunity.”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Toyama

  This classroom project was brought to life by Wasserman Foundation and 2 other donors.

• Bringing Nature Into the Urban Jungle

  Funded Dec 14, 2011

  On behalf of my students, thank you very much for your kind donation. Your kindness has allowed me to provide them with an opportunity to dissect an owl pellet, an activity they undertook with great enthusiasm. This lab allowed me to bring a little bit of the owl's natural habitat into my classroom, if only for a few days. My students were able to study the woodlands ecosystem, a far cry from the urban jungle, and then dissect an owl pellet that shows them, in great detail, what a top predator consumes.

  My students were all eagerly bent over their work, ready to complete an actual skeleton. My formal in informal assessments demonstrated a clear understanding of the learning objectives that I had for them.

  Thank you again for your kind donation towards the fulfillment of this project.”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Toyama

  This classroom project was brought to life by Wasserman Foundation and 4 other donors.

• Building Cognitive Skills via 3-D Logic Puzzles

  Funded Dec 14, 2011

  On behalf of my students, thank you very much for your kind donation to my classroom. The puzzles and games have been a huge hit with my students, and I've had to hide them from their incessant demands to continue using them! The Perplexus in particular is in high demand, and students are constantly challenging each other with it.

  They are thoroughly amused that I constantly refer to them as my kinesthetic learning tools, but have no shame in asking to use them. I have overhead numerous conversations where logic and critical thinking are being argued over, and I can barely contain my glee at the sight of students learning these key skills from each other.

  Your kindness has been so successful that I plan on submitting another project for additional, "learning tools."”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Toyama

  This classroom project was brought to life by Wasserman Foundation and 5 other donors.

• Wearing Your Genes: Your Own DNA Necklace

  Funded Dec 3, 2011

  On behalf of my students, thank you very much for your kind contribution to this project. My students were amazed when I told them they would be able to extract their own DNA. I sure had their attention as I introduced the topic of genetic material! My students were eager to dive right into the learning as they anticipated the lab that awaited them.

  By utilizing the resources your generosity provided, my students were able to safely extract and isolate their own DNA, proudly displaying hard proof of their new knowledge and skills. You should've seen them parading down the hallways, bragging about their biotechnology skills.

  Thank you again for your kind gift. Continued years of students will learn from your contribution.”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Toyama

  This classroom project was brought to life by In A Perfect World and 2 other donors.

• Poster Paper Please

  Funded Oct 18, 2011

  I wish you could've been in the classroom to watch my students diligently working on their posters. Although not all of them were completely focused on learning, this group activity allowed the vast majority to shine though in ways that I never even knew about. Natural leaders rose up to help guide the work and admonish those who were off task (a trait I was MOST grateful for!). Artistic students were able to excel at this assignment, and I was pleasantly surprised at how many were helping others in their group, and not just taking over the visual part of the assignment themselves.

  When my students presented their posters (with pride of course) it was clear to see that the ability to work in groups instead of a standard boring lecture allowed them to fully grasp the curriculum. It strengthens my resolve to work even harder in the classroom knowing that I have the support of strangers around the country who are helping me to provide the best possible educational opportunity for my students.”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Toyama

  This classroom project was brought to life by In A Perfect World and one other donor.

• Brainteasers and Logic Games, Who Has the Fastest Times?

  Funded Dec 5, 2011

  Thank you so much for your kind contribution to this project. I cannot wait to inform my students that once again, complete strangers have stepped up to the plate in order to provide them with learning tools. The games that you have been able to put into their hands will allow them to develop logic and critical thinking skills in a fun, engaging manner. Since they are non-consumable, they will continue to provide year after year of educational support.

  Once again, on behalf of my students, thank you so very much for your kind philanthropy. Pictures of my students engaged in their learning games will soon be published and I hope you will enjoy the light of knowledge that you have sparked in my classroom.”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Toyama

  This classroom project was brought to life by Wasserman Foundation and 4 other donors.

• Save A Tree: Making Recycled Paper Cards

  Funded Dec 1, 2011

  Thank you so much for your kind donation towards this project. I cannot wait to inform my students that, once again, complete strangers have stepped up to the plate in allowing me to provide them with an engaging, high-inquiry project. Your contribution makes the difference between a fun and exciting learning experience, and boring classwork.

  By making their own paper cards from used materials, students will learn the full meaning of "closing the loop" of recycling. They will then pass on this knowledge when they give their cards to others, making this project a gift whose impact spreads far beyond the classroom.

  Once again, thank you so much for your kind generosity”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Toyama

  This classroom project was brought to life by In A Perfect World and 2 other donors.

• Origami: Learning From Paper

  Funded Nov 1, 2011

  Thank you so much for your kind donation to this project. I can't wait to inform my students that, once again, complete strangers have stepped up and provided them with the materials necessary to provide them with a quality, and in this case, fun, educational experience. The paper will allow my students to have the opportunity to create their own origami creations, and the books will remain as a legacy to your philanthropy. They will create a permanent library of resources for my students, and any interested student, to use and learn from.

  Once again, thank you so very much for your kindness, and gift to my students.”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Toyama

  This classroom project was brought to life by In A Perfect World and 2 other donors.