Past projects 16
Basic Library Supplies
Funded Nov 15, 2022As a school, we just came back to the library after three days of Family/Teacher conferences and the the Thanksgiving break. The updates to the library weren't immediately visible but the kids said that something was different. When I pointed out the new displays and purple books bins, they loved it. I am now able to easy put up books that match units of study or community events. I have a new, New Book section feature new arrivals. The tubs allow me to keep books sets together and make them more accessible on the shelf. The scanner, however, is the biggest hit. With the new stand, I have it set up so that students can check in and out their own books. It is much quicker and much safer with regards to not spreading germs. It is these small changes that make a big difference.”
With gratitude,
Mr. McNew
This classroom project was brought to life by Amazon.Dress Your Robot For Success -STEM Project
Funded Aug 28, 2018Did you see the pictures? The students were so excited when the boxes arrived. When they opened them up and figured that they were new accessories for their bots they cheered! You came through again. We now have bulldozers and bunny ears to put on our Dash and Dot Bots. I think it is official that we now have the best dressed robots in the city. I may take them out clubbing this weekend.
You have added amazing resources to our technology program. This is going to be so fun. The Tech Team is meeting to find the best way to share these new resources around the school and we are planning a showcase for a Tech Night as well.
We now have even more opportunity for hands on coding as well as working through cool STEM projects. Our students that do not have access to technology at home now have many options at school. Our students are lucky and grateful for your contributions!”
With gratitude,
Mr. McNew
This classroom project was brought to life by Craig Newmark Philanthropies and 5 other donors.New Non-Fiction, Not Nostalgia
Funded Jun 3, 2018The school year is just starting and these books are already the cause for excitement. During our school's recent family event the students were eagerly going through all of the new arrivals. I was not going to start taking holds but if I had there would have been quite a list. At this early point the toy inventor series is tied in popularity with the Who is/was series. The covers are great hooks and then the content is also very engaging.
I feel very privileged to have these new materials for the students. After a huge weeding event last year, our shelves were looking a bit empty. Being able to restock with materials that the students requested and that are relevant to their studies is very powerful. When students are asked to look for a biography to pick up they are much more happy to look at the inventor of Mr. Potato Head or the story of Malala Yousafzai as compared to the recently removed biography of Brian Bosworth. It is a big chance of the non-fiction books to gain more library cred!
The teachers are very excited too. As the non-fiction section of the library grows, there are more supports and resources for teachers. Student reports can use sources besides Wikipedia! (Just kidding. We do serious internet research at our school.) Seriously, it is nice to give students the options to browse covers and titles and get some ideas from actual texts. They find things out they about the natural world and people that they might not have thought to Google.
So, thank you from everyone at our school. Your generous donations are really energizing to the students and staff. You have made a difference.”
With gratitude,
Mr. McNew
Cool Kids Coding
Funded May 10, 2018So it has only been a couple of weeks since I got the Botley robots. That being true, they have already gotten a lot of use. I had planned on using the bots specifically with a the youngest classrooms and a few rooms where students have not been able to fully access technology due to disabilities. That was not how it worked out.
Once I had unpacked our seven Botleys and gotten some help putting all of the stickers on, everyone wanted to give them a run. I did not have batteries ready to go after a stickering party and the kids were very frustrated. It turned out that even though the skills required for the Botleys are not high level, they are so cute and the accessories are so appealing that they are irresistible. We had classes using them to initiate Rube Goldberg devices, create obstacle courses, and even race with our old Bee Bots. It was discovered that one controller can work for multiple bots so we had a group of kids that set up synchronized dance routines. It was all fun (expect for the clean up).
Our academic year is coming to an end but what a high note to finish they on. Our school is so grateful for all of the opportunities you have created for us. Your impact is felt and appreciated. This was a great purchase and you all made it possible.”
With gratitude,
Mr. McNew
This classroom project was brought to life by Learning Resources and 6 other donors.The Amazing Singing Book
Funded Jan 25, 2018I am still giddy. It was an amazing time last week at Leschi. The scheduling was tight and the days were full but we finished 4 full day sessions with the STYLE group. Nate Bogopolsky and Tiffany Wilson fearlessly came into the library and made magic. Every single class in the school K-5 came in, sat down, discussed poetry and friendship, and then wrote and amazing songs. Mr. B and Ms. Tiffany let the kids choose the music tracks and helped organize the ideas but the students generated 19 original works. It was AWESOME!!!!! After that, each song was posted to a unique website so they could share them with family and friends.
I had high expectations but really did not anticipate the profound effect this project would have. The act of creation is powerful but it is magnified when the creation is a collaborative activity. The community building started right away. I saw such accomplishment and pride on the faces of the young songwriters. And the songs are all based on a book of poems that deal with issues of race and equity. It could not have gone better. Check out the website to listen to our songs on your own. You will be impressed.
http://learningwithstyle.com/student/”
With gratitude,
Mr. McNew
This classroom project was brought to life by The First Million Fund and 8 other donors.Science + Art = Snart
Funded Dec 13, 2015I really try to keep things exciting and engaging in my classroom but boy, things were off the hook when the packages arrived. The puppets came first and they were a hit. Everyone wanted a turn. The turtle seems to be the favorite. Her name is Tessie evidently. Next came all of the Private Eye materials. I had explained what there were before they arrived but the kids did not really understand the diversity and quality of the science samples. As we unpacked the different items each one was greeted with a huge "aaaawww" and it was reverently passed around the room.
I have modified my science block. I now have three centers set that the students rotate through. One is the regular district curriculum, one is a science writing station, and the last is usually a scientific drawing and labeling station. The materials from the World in a Box work both for either the writing or drawing work. The students love spending time examining and talking about what they see. The amethyst has been in constant rotation. I am afraid they are sure it is a bit of treasure that you have sent to our classroom. The puppets have been the inspiration for some online research and I am sure they will be the stars of upcoming writing projects.
It is still very wet and dark here. That is not keeping us from planning some excursions in the spring to collect samples and create our own science museum. Our big trip is going to be to the Seattle Tilthe where we are guaranteed a huge variety of local plant life.
The impact our your generous gifts will be felt all year long. And then over again next year. Luckily, my students already love science. These materials might be the thing that helps them choose science as a career. Thank you for supporting arts and science, and thank you specifically for supporting my class. They are great kids and you have made things that much better.”
With gratitude,
Mr. McNew
This classroom project was brought to life by EMP Museum + Paul G. Allen Family Foundation and one other donor.The Movers and the Makers
Funded Dec 17, 2015I am so happy to be writing this. There was so much excitement when the students got the boxes. They knew about the project but not specifically about what the items would look like and how they would be used. I think the K'NEX were the biggest hits. There were sooo many pieces. When they saw the huge number of machines they could make and the actual working motor they squealed. (The bubble wrap was also a party in itself.)
It took some planning but I now have my science block split into three centers with rotations. One is following the district curriculum, one is science specific writing, and the third is the K'NEX. It is early so we are still constructing with little directions. The bigger projects will come later. I also am lucky enough to have a volunteer from Seattle University work in my room and the K'NEX station is her favorite as well.
We are saving the Plant Press and the Nature Photo Paper for the spring. It is just too wet here in Seattle and there are not many flowers out. However, a brainstorming session has already decided that we need to make book marks for the Literacy Night and cards for Mother's Day.
Honestly, my kids love science. I think your kind support of my classroom guaranteed that at least half of my students are going to grow up to be scientists/artists with an interest in nature. Thank you and know that we are thinking of you every time we dive into our new materials.”
With gratitude,
Mr. McNew
This classroom project was brought to life by EMP Museum + Paul G. Allen Family Foundation and 4 other donors.Up the Creek Without an iPad
Funded Dec 19, 2014Well, it has been about three months now. I have fully integrated our new technology into the classroom. At this point it is hard to imagine not having it. When the packages with the iPads arrived the kids were so excited! Then they were really upset. I would not let them use the new pads until the following week when protective cases arrived. Then they were excited again. I convinced them that the green cases were in honor of the Seattle Seahawks. They were very impressed with how fast the new iPad Airs were and they started using them right away.
For me, they made a huge difference logistically. I have 24 students and it is so much easier to set up groups of 6 when we are rotating centers. Now that I have 6 iPads I can do that. Reading, math, and even writing are enhanced with this access to technology. We can work on skill and drill or do research. The students can film book reviews or read at level texts online. And with those headphones you bought us they can do it without bothering the other learners. The really nice thing about having these pads that are dedicated to our classroom alone is that we don't have to worry about projects or work getting wiped from the memory or tampered with. We keep our pads separate and safe.
I love seeing the kids working on technology. It is a small part of our day but it likely will become a huge part of their lives. Giving low income youth access to technology is giving them a chance to be competitive and succeed in tomorrow's job markets. Youth, whether you like it or not, will need to be fluent with technology. If they do not have it in the home we need to give them access in school. My students who are new to the country, some of whom have never worked with computers, are finding a confidence that will continue to support them in latter years.
I am not exaggerating when I say that my students have really benefited because of your generosity. As a poor school we sometimes don't have everything we need and sometimes we are given piles of stuff we never asked for. What really makes a difference is when we are given something that we can use. Thank you for improving my classroom and my teaching. Thank you from my students for making their day more exciting and adding to their learning.”
With gratitude,
Mr. McNew
It is Rocket Science!!!!
Funded Oct 4, 2011OK, I have to say right off that we have not launched any rockets. My kids ask me every day when it is going to happen but my high school science partner has told me that we will need a stretch of good weather. Otherwise we may end up overshooting the school in the wind and landing traffic. How cool is that? I hope the anticipation doesn't do them in. It is going to be a long winter. Come on May!
We did get the rocket launcher, the air pumps, the safety goggles, and the subscription for Time For Kids. It even turns out that the magazine subscription comes with some great online resources. The magazines have been wonderful. We are able to use them for classroom readings and they have started some very good classroom discussions around science and world events. We know all about dwindling bat populations, anti-bullying legislation, and healthy eating. Having these modern resources available is really helping my class in reading and science. Speaking of science, how did you like the pictures of the goggles? The last big project we did with our high school helpers was Gak (glue and borax putty). The kids wore the goggles the entire time and even wanted to wear them home. I am just grateful they arrived after picture day.
So the thing is, you made this happen. We have so many new and cool things to aid our learning because of your thoughtfulness. Really, you have done a good thing. My class and myself want to thank you as do our high school science buddies. We will name our first rockets the Krokower and the Century Link. ”
With gratitude,
Mr. McNew
This classroom project was brought to life by CenturyLink and one other donor.Torn Underpants
Funded Oct 5, 2011I can not believe how many of you wonderful people made this project a reality. We are now in the book business in my room. Seven different levels of brand new books arrived in very nice plastic storage crates. They fit right on the shelves and look great. The unpacking itself was a huge event. We were able to put them all on display for our Open House so all of our families were able to see our new additions.
Having these books available has really increased the level of engagement during reading time. It is wonderful to watch them share there new readings with everyone who comes into our class. I do have to admit, in the spirit of full disclosure, that no Captain Underpants books were actually part of the orders. When my kids realized that, I did have to promise them that I would be adding a new set of Mr.Pilkey's books to our next book order.
I really want to thank you all. Because of you and Donors Choose my classroom is that much more interesting and fun. I hope you continue to show interest in the organization because it and you really have really made a difference.”
With gratitude,
Mr. McNew
This classroom project was brought to life by CenturyLink and 17 other donors.