Past projects 13
Completing Our Classroom Community
Funded Sep 18, 2017Creating a classroom environment conducive for a wide range of learners requires a multitude of elements to ensure students have the proper materials. Your generous donation allowed me to add crucial materials that, since their introduction to our classroom, have been used frequently for every day activities.
The day our materials arrived, especially the library rug, my students were overjoyed to see the boxes of "presents". It took quite a while to encourage my students to get up from laying on the rug. The giant timer is used three times a week for timed multiplication quizzes. The giant timer numbers allow students to check the time remaining and gives them the drive to practice their multiplication facts at home to be able to pass each level as soon as possible. The pocket chart provides a large surface for easy reference to classroom academic language.
My classroom is always growing and developing; both the students and myself learn something new every day. It cannot be put into words how thankful I am for your generosity. Every little contribution gives me the opportunity to improve as a teacher and make my students excited to learn.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Yniguez
Readers Exploring the World One Page at a Time
Funded Sep 2, 2017In a society where children are constantly surrounded by conflicting and unreliable news sources, it is crucial that students learn the value of valid sources at a young age. Scholastic News gives students the ability to learn a variety of engaging concepts in a printed news source that they are able to take home and share with their families. Each time I pass out the Scholastic News, I hear shouts of delight about the vivid pictures and interesting topics that tie directly to the interests of young kids. I remember a particular edition that discussed fidget spinners and other new toys. My classroom became filled with students discussing their favorite type of fidget spinners, or the "right" way to make the perfect slime.
In my class of English Language Learners, many of my students struggle to read texts on grade level. Scholastic News gives these students the additional visual aids to help them understand what they are reading about, and tricks many of my most resistant readers that the news is "cool". Recently, I used an article about Jackie Robinson to engage with students about the importance of learning about influential individuals from our nation's history. Many of the recent editions have provided me with ample resources to make Black History Month lessons engaging and interactive. Thank you so much for your generous donation. My students genuinely appreciate your contribution to our classroom. You have made each month more exciting with the arrival of a new Scholastic News.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Yniguez
Lots of Enthusiasm; No Books
Funded Aug 27, 2017My first year as a teacher has been challenging in many different ways. I didn't think of many of the obstacles I would have to overcome, including establishing a class library with a wide range of topics and reading levels for a diverse group of third graders. It has been such a privilege to have such a generous support system that was able to help fund many of the books my students read every day during silent and guided reading. After months of having use of the books, students still reference the day I read, "Dragons Love Tacos," and often revisit books that we have read as a class.
Reading in my classroom has a variety of forms. Students practice fluency while laying down on library rug. Sometimes, students choose a book and will approach me to ask clarifying questions, or even just to tell me something they thought was funny. Reading is challenging to many of my English Learners, and having a variety of books with many pictures is very helpful for comprehension and engagement. Each of my readers has a different style, but all of them have adopted a preference for types of books and eagerness to learn more and grow each day.
Many of my students have taken a liking to the series that were provided in the Donor's choose package. Many of the girls in my class often reference the people they learned about in "She Persisted", relating how they want to influence the world positively just like those women. Thank you so much for providing my students with the opportunity to explore the world through these books, and feel connected to the reading materials in my classroom.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Yniguez