Past projects 7
Changing the Way We See Our World
Funded Jan 17, 2022Our students have so appreciated the additon of microscopes to our classroom! They were so excited to see our new materials and asked immediately to unbox them and explore.
Our classroom has been studying the human body systems and used our new microscopes examine blood and muscle specimens. The students were so interested in seeing everything! We've also used the microscopes to examine parts of plants, rocks, and minerals. Students now choose the microscopes as a work option and creating a book of what they see
Our class will soon be going on a field trip to collect water from streams. We will use our new microscopes to examine life in fresh water!
Many thanks again for your generosity in supporting our class.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Jen
This classroom project was brought to life by Panda Cares and 12 other donors.Crafting Our Community Through Art
Funded Mar 27, 2021Thank you so much for all of the wonderful art and craft materials you supplied for my class. Incorporating art into our daily lessons and classroom work was a wonderful way to welcome students back into the classroom after a year of virtual learning!
The students were so excited to see the new materials in the classroom! We have had students make dioramas with little, clay animals. Others have painted beautiful watercolor pictures to demonstrate their understanding of different types of succulent fruits. Some students have practiced their handwriting and small motor skills with lovely calligraphy work. They have been so creative!
These materials have inspired my students to complete their follow-up work in so many ways. We have also inspired other classrooms to include new types of artwork in their classes. Thanks again for the opportunity to share with my students!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Jen
This classroom project was brought to life by Herb Kohl Philanthropies and 7 other donors.Creating Community Through Reading
Funded Mar 11, 2021Thank you very much for contributing to "Creating Community Through Reading"! I have told the children in my class that they will be sharing new chapter books and they are so excited. Not only will they have wonderful new stories to share, but they will also be more prepared for their class next year!
We have been learning virtually for over a year now, and I have managed to create a space for reading groups for my struggling readers. Up until this project was funded, I didn't have enough chapter books to create anything for my more advanced readers -- they were left out of the experience. Now, they will be able to share the reading experience and discuss some of the literary elements. This is big work for my 1st through 3rd graders!
I plan to share these books with my students when we come back from spring break. At that point, I will know whether we will be having our book clubs in person or virtually. Either way, these new materials will help create a stronger sense of community in our classroom!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Jen
This classroom project was brought to life by Herb Kohl Philanthropies and 5 other donors.Making Beautiful Montessori Handwork
Funded Dec 4, 2019My students were so excited to see all the new materials. They watched with eager anticipation as we set up the weaving looms, explored all the new yarn, and unpacked the sewing machine.
They love handwork, and went straight into sewing, weaving, and finger knitting. Some of the older students helped younger children learn a new skill, and they all set on making crafts to share with one another. It really built up our community.
Each student was able to hand sew a decoration for the winter holidays. They turned out really well and the students were so proud to share their work!
We will continue using the new material and gaining skills as the year progresses. I can't wait to see what the children make!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Jen
This classroom project was brought to life by An anonymous classroom supporter and 10 other donors.Read All About It!
Funded Dec 25, 2018I want to provide everyone with an update about our wonderful new Waseca reading materials. The students were so excited to see the new materials on the shelf when they first arrived. In Montessori, we want everything to be beautiful and child friendly. These materials work for both of these ideas!
The Waseca material has really helped my emerging readers to feel confident in their abilities -- a trait critical to having them continue to work. My earliest readers are able to do matching activities that allow them to use their reading knowledge -- they love this work. My more advanced readers are able to use the more challenging materials to advance their skills. The Waseca program is working great, even for children who are reading above grade level, because it helps them with spelling skills as well. All the kids love to do it!
Just this week, I had a very apprehensive reader work with me on Waseca. We chose words right at his reading level, he followed the steps I taught him, and was able to read! It was such a great moment for a kid who could use a confidence boost!
Thanks again for your help in getting these wonderful materials to our classroom! We are all very grateful!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Jen
Creating Community Through Cooking
Funded Aug 19, 2018Thank you so much for donating to our classroom cooking project. My class struggles with understanding what it means to be a classroom community, but cooking always seems to bring us together.
This week, we celebrated a month of working on Native American research by cooking some Native American dishes together. The students helped to make Three Sisters Stew (the 3 sisters being corn, squash, and beans -- staples to get many tribes through the winter) and fry bread. My students were so happy to eat a meal that they prepared together. It really was a moment that transformed the whole feeling of our classroom.
We try to cook together several times a month and the students are looking forward to making even more food together. Slowly but surely we are becoming a true classroom community!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Jen
A Recipe for Success in the Montessori Classroom
Funded Aug 20, 2017Thank you so much for donating to our classroom cooking project! The children in my class love learning about and cooking new foods, and food preparation gives us the chance to explore biology, history, and math. In Montessori classrooms, practical life activities are an important aspect of learning life skills, and the children of Room 28 love using all the cooking supplies you helped us to purchase! We cook and share food every Friday, and are planning for a big pre-Thanksgiving meal together!
The students were so excited when they walked in the first day of school and saw our new classroom kitchen. We have always done a bit of cooking and food preparation, but now we are able to make almost anything they want to try.
Next semester, my students will be working to research other countries. With our new kitchen, the children will be able to add traditional food sharing to their research presentations. They are so excited to prepare and taste from other cultures!
Thank you again for your support!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Jen
This classroom project was brought to life by Herb Kohl Philanthropies and 5 other donors.