Past projects 6
Help Us Grow Social Emotional Competence From Root Through STEM
Funded Mar 18, 2022I am so excited beyond words to get new tools into my students hands. We will use it for imagination and engaging learning that will help them grow in such a positive way. Thank you for funding this project. We will be very excited to dig in and explore. It is a true blessing to be given access to wonderful materials.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Weston
This classroom project was brought to life by Arizona Department of Education.Help a Lifelong Learner Continue to Grow!
Funded May 30, 2019The opportunity to continue growing in knowledge, to bring back fresh techniques to my classroom is a gift beyond words. I was able to surround with likeminded individuals and soak it all in during my multi-day conference.
The sessions challenged me to rethink how classrooms operate and reminded me that there are so many ways to teach, with our specific learners in mind. Thank you for helping make me a better professional and allowing me to keep the spark alive!
I had an opportunity to attend a session on trauma, behavioral concerns, and classroom management that taught me how to better connect with my students, but also teach fellow staff members how we can rely on each other to pull out the very best we have to offer and support one another.
Thank you for this opportunity from the bottom of my heart!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Weston
This classroom project was brought to life by Google.org and 11 other donors.You Need STEMs to Grow in Our Kinder "Garden".
Funded May 10, 2018This STEM project package has been an amazing addition to our classroom this year. The children love to explore and imagine with all of the supplies.
The best part is watching them enjoy the design process and persevere when it isn't turning out quite right. They keep plugging away and bonding with each other while they learn together and it has changed the mood of the classroom. The bins and bot have become favorite early finisher activities, fun free center picks, morning work and also been given STEM time.
A gift that encourages teamwork, curiosity, and exploration is the very best kind. We all thank you very much for your support and appreciate you blessing our classroom!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Weston
Ignite My Students Fire With Technology!
Funded Feb 9, 2018This project was one of my most exciting yet. The students lit up when the Kindles arrived and we have found so many more uses for them than I had originally planned.
The class has been working on various word and math programs and I have watched children that struggle to work independently really come alive. They use the Kindles during Guided Reading time as a center they rotate through, each getting to work on Womsters or Teach My Monster To Read and sometimes Montessori programs. I have watched them level up and improve in their reading over time.
We also use them with a QR code reading app, where they have differentiated sight word worksheets they scan and are able to work through step-by-step with a "teacher recording" guiding them through the work. This has been very successful for my struggling readers to work more independently, while I am leading small groups on other activities.
All in all, the children feel a connection to their learning in a modern way and I have been able to expose them to new programs and fun. We still monitor and limit the amount of time each student spends on technology but feel grateful that we are able to expose each learner to something current and relevant to them.
Up next, I am creating QR books they can access as a listening center, it is already in the works and they are so excited to try it out!
Than you so much for believing in our project and for giving us this opportunity to enhance classroom learning for all.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Weston
Help Me Make a Statement Without Saying a Word!
Funded Dec 31, 2017My class and I are so thankful for the opportunity to have a document camera in the classroom. It has been very helpful and fun for us to use and explore. From the anticipation and celebration for its arrival, to it becoming a frequently used item in our weekly routine, we feel blessed.
So far the main use of the Ipevo has been to allow all students to see modeled work at the same time, this has been especially beneficial to my struggling friends. With a document camera, I am able to walk a larger group of children through a difficult concept and model handwriting, manipulative based learning, tracking, and multiple ways to work through a problem.
Another way the camera has added more engagement and value to the work of the class is by allowing students to show their best work to others in a fun way. If they have done an exceptional job, for example on a writing journal, they are able to be showcased to the class as a whole. This is an exciting reward to young eager students that I feel inspires them to work even harder.
It is donors like you that have made a big difference in our learning and this is the kind of gift that will continue to utilized for years to come! It isn't just my current class that will benefit from this project and I will forever be appreciative of your support and believing in my vision.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Weston
Lit Er A C, Starts with Books and Your Help!
Funded May 31, 2017I am so very thankful for all of the wonderful literature this grant has brought inside of my classroom and all of our hearts. We have been able to fully implement a literacy process of close reads and the knowledge gained, already, has been astounding.
Each week we use two paired texts that we read and compare/contrast. We explore a variety of detailed fictional and non-fiction stories that are rich in imagery and vocabulary. The students word banks are filling up on the ever changing themes.
A weekly reading consists of phonemic awareness warm-ups, followed by a book walk and reading for enjoyment. Then, reproducibles to assess concept understanding. The next day we review the topic and introduce vocab and definitions. I have the children listen for the words, stopping me so we can discuss our new vocabulary and how it applies to a topic. The students answer text dependent questions and apply the new information to give detailed answers and we read a paired book to compare/contrast. The week is finished up with an activity or craft to celebrate our journey and it is because of this wonderful funding that we are able to do this each and every week.
Thank you for believing in my project and our classroom. I am humbled and so very thankful!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Weston