Past projects 9
Get Up, Stand Up
Funded Jun 26, 2023The new table has certainly made working while standing an easier task. Students used to have to work at whatever level the tables were in the classroom, but now they are able to adjust to multiple heights. The taller students can raise it, while the shorter ones can lower it. This addition to the classroom has made all the difference in regards to comfort, especially when working on a project that may take more than just a few minutes.
The table has three different height settings that can be set, but it can also be lowered to a comfortable sitting height or raised for demonstration purposes. It is on wheels, so it can be moved to anywhere in the classroom, as long as there is an outlet available. It has made an immediate difference, especially in terms of convenience.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Magee
This classroom project was brought to life by An Anonymous Supporter and 3 other donors.Board Again, but Still Not Bored
Funded Jan 10, 2023The entire class was able to put these resources to immediate use. We were in need of the materials so we could both practice making and prepare new items for our school based enterprise's spring pop-up shop. We were all excited to open the items and put them to use. Students were able to practice painting, using the vinyl, and sealing the completed boards.
The class is constantly creating new items for our pop-up shops and custom orders. When we run out of materials, we lose the ability to complete certain items, so your generosity allowed us to keep going. We were able to have a successful spring sale, with enough materials left over to get us started in the fall semester.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Magee
Board, Not Bored
Funded Apr 7, 2022Due to issues with ordering, I had to change the original order from 8 foot straight boards to 14 inch round boards, and some other, much needed, supplies. This ended up helping my class better than we thought. We transitioned from making porch boards to making door hangers.
The door hangers were actually easier to work with simply due to the smaller size. The new supplies proved beneficial because without them, we cannot work on the door hangers. We actually used each of them as we made the hangers.
The students enjoyed making them so much, we decided students would make one of their own for their final class project grade. It allowed students to use what they had learned to create their own door hanger for themselves or their parents. The entire class had fun and did a great job creating these.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Magee
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose community & an Anonymous Partner and 3 other donors.Sublimation Mode
Funded Feb 9, 2022Thank you so much for supporting our students' desire to learn more about creating products through the use of sublimation. The new printer, paper and ink has allowed my classes to learn to use newer technology to create many of the same products they were already making. The difference is that now the art being placed on the product is their permanently, and won't peel off.
While we haven't quite moved as quickly as I had hoped, it is nice to be able to show my students yet another method for creating, and potentially making money in the future. I will never rely solely on sublimation, but I hope to gradually begin using it more often than not when creating a number of out projects that are currently being made with vinyl. It is ultimately simpler and easier, in a number of ways, than working with permanent or even heat transfer vinyl.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Magee
This classroom project was brought to life by Black History Month Partners and 3 other donors.Two Cricuts are the Ticket
Funded Dec 8, 2021The new Cricut Maker cutting machine has made a huge difference in our classroom's ability to create. We are now able to work on multiple projects at once, allowing us to complete them in a timely manner. Recently, our students created projects for a departmental pop-up shop at our school. While we were making products to sell at the shop, we were also receiving orders for other products. Normally, this would have caused some stress, but ability to use two machines at once allowed us to keep working and creating at a normal pace.
The students were happy about receiving the new machine. They have enjoyed being able to use the machines more frequently, which allows them to become more comfortable using them. I am enjoying allowing them more freedom with the machines.
With the completion of our Spring pop-up shop, we now look toward the end of the school year. This means we complete any new orders, and begin looking at options for next year. Students will continue to create, while also taking inventory of supplies that we currently have, so we can determine what needs to be ordered for next school year. This will also impact future project ideas.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Magee
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 5 other donors.Sign Me Up
Funded Oct 6, 2021When I created this project, I notified my students that we would use the resources we had until the project was funded and we received the new materials. We were fortunate that the project was successfully funded and we were all excited as we opened, organized and took inventory of the new products.
The resources I was able to purchase allowed my classes the opportunity to make a great number of school mascot, welcome signs. Through the process, students were able to learn the process of cutting and working with vinyl, as well as the importance of organization and preparedness. Students improved throughout the semester as their confidence grew with each order and sign they were able to participate in making.
We continue to create these signs as they are ordered, but we also ventured into making seasonal signs. We created Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas designs that sold very well. We are now looking at Valentine's Day designs, and we have already created a design for a Black History Month sign. The new vinyl, along with the other products and tools, certainly helped us with our ultimate goal of allowing students to learn and create.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Magee
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 7 other donors.Colorful Creations
Funded May 7, 2021The idea with this project was to add more colorful options to our inventory of heat transfer vinyl. While we received the vinyl in the spring, my current students will be the ones who will be using it. The students seem to like all of the different colors of vinyl, but they are most interested in the holographic and glitter sheets.
The focus so far this year has been working with wood to create signs and wall hangings. We have been practicing applying heat transfer vinyl on various types of bare, painted, and stained wood. We have already used a few of the new colors, most recently the hibiscus on a stained wooden circle, and the black glitter inside of framed wood. Students will have the opportunity to make choices as to which projects they prefer, and which colors should be used to create future products to sell as part of the school-based enterprise.
My students enjoy having the number of options that they have so they are able to expand their creativity. The beauty of it all is that this funded project allows them to practice without worrying about making mistakes. The more they are able to experiment with their ideas, the better their products will be. We are all appreciative for the opportunity.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Magee
This classroom project was brought to life by SONIC Drive-In and 6 other donors.A Cut Above!
Funded Feb 4, 2021There were quite a few items in this package, so the students didn't really know what to expect during the unboxing. We had already spent quite a bit of time creating custom face masks to sell, so they weren't surprised to see more masks, heat presses, and ironing mats. They were most excited when I showed them the t-shirts.
We used the key chain blanks to create custom keychains using permanent vinyl and the new transfer tape. Students were able to practice working with the vinyl, including cutting, weeding, and applying transfer tape before applying the vinyl to the acrylic. The new cutting blades came in handy as the original blades began to dull due to usage. Students enjoyed the creative process. We ultimately made keychains using school logos, along with custom monograms made to order.
The t-shirts allowed students to practice using heat transfer vinyl. Students were able to cut, weed, and properly place the vinyl. This also allowed us to use the larger t-shirt press that they had been looking at and wondering when they were going to get to use it. Students developed confidence using this equipment with every press.
The knife blade and the wooden sheets were used a few times to show the students other options of creations. We only used these a few times due to time constraints, but we are currently working on new ideas for using these. Students have enjoyed using the new products to practice and create.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Magee
Press and Tote
Funded Mar 16, 2021When the materials arrived, my students were eager to see what had arrived. I unboxed them with my students and we immediately began thinking about what we could create with the new mats, heat press and tote bags. We knew we had plenty of colors of heat transfer vinyl to use, so we could virtually create any design we wanted.
Our program was given the opportunity to sell our products at the local city market, so the idea of "shop local" came up and I thought that would be a simple way to get the students started on cutting and weeding the vinyl, as well as applying it to the tote bags. Using the new cutting mats, the students were led through the process of applying vinyl to the mat, starting the cut, and removing the vinyl after the cut was completed. The students were then able to weed the vinyl before placing it where it was to be applied on the bag. Students preheated the bag using the new heat press, then used it to apply the vinyl.
Students were then able to advance their skills when we were given the opportunity to make bags for the Farm to School program to sell. These required multiple cuts of various colors of vinyl, so the new mats came in handy. The vinyl was then placed on the bags and pressed, one color at a time. They turned out great, and helped two separate programs in the process.
Though the bags have all been sold, the mats and heat press continue to be used almost daily to create new ideas and products.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Magee