Past projects 9
A Colorful Day!
Funded Aug 14, 2024Thank you so much for your generous support with color for our classroom. So far this year, we have studied the Enlightenment, Democratic Revolutions, Industrialization, and students just wrapped up a unit on Imperialism and Decolonization. For each unit, the complete a project -- a press conference, a mock trial, an infographic, a podcast -- and then complete a unit reflection on how well they learned. The format is the same for each unit reflection, and the consistency helps students know what to expect. However, these unit reflection papers end up looking quite similar to each other. It's much easier to keep track of the unit reflections to say "the pink paper" or "the orange paper." Especially for my English learners, it's so much easier to say "find your blue paper" at the start of class. Thank you for your support in making this happen!
Every unit students also complete a short formal writing assignment. Each class has a different color folder for tracking scores on these writing assignments. This tracking supports students in knowing where they are improving, and where they have room to grow. The color distinctions help us sort the folders for all 150+ students.
Thank you again for your support for our classroom and students!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Jensen
This classroom project was brought to life by The Gates Foundation and 9 other donors.Morning Munchies
Funded May 9, 2023Thank you so much for supporting our classroom! Students are always so pleased to have access to snacks during class. Yesterday in yoga advisory when I asked students how they are doing, one student said she was hungry. She knew to come to me to get a snack before moving on to her next academic course.
Another student told me she has been missing class in the first period of the day because she has been going to Starbucks to get food. I told her she can come to class and ask for a snack, so she can still access learning.
Students especially get hungry in the period before lunch, and they are relieved to have access to food so they can stay in class and focus. In World History we are preparing to hold mock trials of revolutionary leaders, and snacks will help students to focus on primary source documents for evidence.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Jensen
This classroom project was brought to life by SONIC Foundation and 2 other donors.Snacks Snacks Snacks (and Basic Supplies)
Funded Nov 29, 2022Thank you so much for supporting our classroom with snacks and basic supplies. Students are so reassured to know they have access to materials to ensure they are ready to learn. When they first come to class and realize they don't need a pencil, students get to work so much faster when they can simply ask and one is provided. Thank you!
Especially in mid and late morning classes, students are also very reassured to know they can ask for snacks. Though there is breakfast at school, some students arrive late and miss it, and some have trouble waiting the four hours until lunch. Students are much more focused in class when they know they have access to snacks. Right now, students are building website about hot spots of the Cold War, and snacks help keep them focused on history, rather then their empty tummies.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Jensen
This classroom project was brought to life by an Anonymous Classroom Supporter and 9 other donors.Full Bellies, Full Minds
Funded Sep 7, 2022Thank you very much for your contributions to our classroom this year. Students are always reassured to know that they can asks for snacks when needed.
Particularly in the last class before lunch, students often ask for snacks. They appreciate knowing they can focus on learning rather than on their growling stomachs. Today, for example, multiple students asked for snacks so they could focus on primary source documents about the mandate system in the middle east.
As we transition back from winter break, students are also struggling to readjust to needing materials. They are very grateful to have pencils readily available as needed, so they can get right to work.
Thank you so much for your support!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Jensen
This classroom project was brought to life by Big O Tires and 2 other donors.Brain Fuel
Funded Aug 9, 2022Thank you so much for supporting our students! Especially in the classes before lunch and at the end of the day, students are staying focused in class making sure they have access to snacks.
For example, this week in my 11th grade US history class students asked for snacks before tackling essays on the Great Migration. In my 10th grade world history class, students accessed snacks before taking a quiz on African geography and completing their podcast projects on imperialism and decolonization.
We are so grateful for your support!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Jensen
This classroom project was brought to life by Bill Gates and 5 other donors.Caring for Our Bodies and Brains
Funded May 3, 2022Thank you so much for your support of our classroom and helping students feel comfortable and safe in school. The day after our AP US History exam, before their AP Lang exam, my students did just a day of yoga. Students enjoy exposure to another way to observe their bodies, as well as another way to practice mindfulness. The cart helps us to transport the yoga mats to our community room.
Students also need food to fuel their brains! Students regularly ask for snacks in class. Even though there is food in the cafeteria, students sometimes have prejudice against that food, or can't wait until it is available. Students were so excited to see the variety of snacks provided by your donations, and we are so grateful!
We are also very grateful for filters for our air purifier to keep us healthy in our windowless classroom through the pandemic. Fresh, safe air, helps keep us healthy, too. Thank you!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Jensen
This classroom project was brought to life by SONIC Drive-In and 3 other donors.Winter Well-Being
Funded Nov 27, 2018Thank you very much for your kind contributions to help students stay healthy and in class through the winter.
When I first showed students the case of anti-viral tissues, they were very happy to have the supply. Whenever students are in need, they are reassured that there are always tissues available.
Students were most excited about the snacks. Particularly in the first class of the day and the class just before lunch, students are staying engaged in class because there are snacks, rather than going hungry or eating junk food from the school vending machines.
For the Fall Semester our school significantly reduced chronic absenteeism compared to last year. Students are in class more, at least in part because they are healthier. For the first marking period of Spring Semester, 12% of my 10th graders did not pass, compared to 28% the year before. It is clear to me that having healthy snacks available helped students stay in class and learning this winter! Thank you!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Jensen
This classroom project was brought to life by Salesforce.org and 2 other donors.Colorful Paper to Start the Day
Funded Jan 13, 2018Thank you so much for supporting our classroom and students with our blue paper for our warm up ("Do Now") work. I initiated the blue paper for the Do Now this year to help students feel prepared for class, and our school ran out of colored paper in December. Unfortunately, there wasn't money in the budget for more colored copy paper. Students said "why's it white?" And frequently could not find their Do Now form, or any paper for their warm up.
Since we've returned to blue paper, it is so wonderful to see students come to class and immediately either grab a new form on Monday, or start hunting through their backpacks and binders for their Do Now paper. They say "it's easier to find," and "it's nice to know what to look for." This helps them feel prepared and ready to learn. Students also easily know what to skim past when looking for a previous assignment, since their weekly Do Now form is blue and their essays and homework are white.
Helping my students learn habits of being prepared for class makes a huge difference for their future. For the class right after lunch last year, the average score on the Do Now was previously 62%. Students lost their papers, or spent so much time looking for paper they did not complete the task. Since initiating the blue paper, the average Do Now score after lunch has risen to over 70%, the difference between a D and C, the difference between a college-eligible grade and essentially failing. This make such a huge difference for my students. We all thank you for your support.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Jensen
Carpet for the Classroom
Funded Dec 18, 2016Thank you so much for your support of our classroom carpet project. We have installed carpet tiles for the instructional areas of the classroom around student desks, and the room feels much warmer and more welcoming. Students have felt more at home: They sit on the floor and stretch out to have more space when working in small groups. This afternoon a student asked me if we could some time have class with everyone sitting on the floor! Students have also commented on how much quieter the room is when we move desks to go from whole group to small group or pair configurations.
When the materials first arrived, several students were eager to try out the vacuum! Students have been proactive about cleaning up crumbs left behind after lunch. As students came in small groups to help lay the carpet tiles, and it took several days to cover the room. Students said "it looks good," and eventually there were some indignant "when is there going to be carpet around my desk?!" comments. Students have also been proud to declare, "That's my tile! I did that one!"
We're currently wrapping up our study of the Second World War. Last week we heard from a guest speaker who was a hidden child in Poland during the Holocaust, and this week students are finishing research presentations on battles of WWII. On Friday students will answer in class essay questions about the war. I anticipate some students will take off their shoes to feel more comfortable while writing.
Thank you again for all of your support of our classroom environment. It means so much to me and to the students to know others care about their learning.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Jensen