Past projects 46
Calming Area
Funded Jan 4, 2023Thank you very much for the generous donation to our classroom project. My class loves our new calming area. Fourth graders have so many big emotions and our calming corner is the perfect spot to go and unwind. The corner has two end tables with baskets of calming activities like fidget toys, rock stacking, stress balls and rubiks cubes. We have a small rug and two bean bag chairs. Included in the calming corner are two sets of noise canceling headphones and two sets of headphones for listening to music. We also have books about breathing and mindfulness and meditation. My students are very thankful for this special place in our classroom. Thank you again for your generosity.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Albertson
Fourth Graders Strike It Rich!
Funded Nov 10, 2022Thank you for your generosity. My class couldn't be more excited to learn about the California Gold Rush and to pan for gold. We are going on virtual field trips to Columbia State Park to learn about how the miners lived, what the work was like and what the challenges were that they faced. We are reading an interactive, pick your journey book about the gold rush. The book is designed to make the kids feel like they are actually there and they determine their fate. The unit ends with panning for gold. We will be using the gold pans, pay dirt and other panning supplies to pan for gold. Each student will leave the experience with a bit of gold in their pocket. And this is all thanks to you, the doner! My class thanks you very much. This adventure is the highlight of 4th grade.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Albertson
Empathy Book Club Part 2
Funded Nov 29, 2022Thank you for your generous donations to our classroom project. We received several sets of books for our Empathy Book Club. We read books together in groups of 2-6 participants. Each group keeps an empathy journal on an app called Sutori. Once a week the whole class meets for a Grand Conversation about the theme of empathy and they use details from the text that they are reading, their Sutori journal, and small group discussion to explain how the characters in the book experience events that cause struggle or need to be met with empathy. Through reading these books my students learn the value of being kind, listening, and realizing that everyone brings their own "baggage" with them wherever they go, and that negative interactions have more to do with that "baggage" than the person on the receiving end of the negativity. My students are enjoying the stories of struggle, sacrifice, adventure, and perseverance. Thank you again for the amazing library of books. We are very appreciative.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Albertson
This classroom project was brought to life by an Anonymous Classroom Supporter and one other donor.Empathy Book Club
Funded Aug 9, 2022Thank you very much for your generous donation to this project. My students enjoyed the literature and we have had many Grand Conversations about empathy and the need for more diversity and inclusion as a result of this literature. My students split into groups and each group selected a book title to read. Each book had the theme of empathy and acceptance, within a much different story. Out of My Mind, is a book about a girl who can not move or speak. She is trapped in her mind and people do not think that she is smart. When she gets a machine to help her communicate she is transformed and finally has a voice. The kids in that book club went on to read the second book in the series. They fell in love with the lead character and wanted to learn more about her life. One of the other books in the Empathy collection was called Same Sun Here, in this book two kids from very different backgrounds become pen pals and learn that they have more in common than one would think. My students were fascinated by the differences between the life of the immigrant child in New York and the poor boy in rural Arkansas, they were equally surprised to see how many things both kids had in common not only with each other, but them. The books have taught many lessons and have inspired us to work toward a kinder more empathetic classroom community.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Albertson
This classroom project was brought to life by Bill Gates and one other donor.Fourth Grade Financial Literacy
Funded Jul 1, 2022Thank you very much for donating to our project. The Financial Literacy materials have added so much to our classroom economy. We received play money, play checks, zipper pouches to store class money and toys to fill our student store. So many amazing things.
My class has two students who work as bankers. They hand out paychecks on Friday and give the students in class the option of taking the cash or depositing it into the bank. My bankers keep a bank book record of all withdrawals and deposits of class cash. They also write checks for the students if they opt to have a check to spend instead of cash. We haven't started to add in interest yet.
We have two store managers that run our shop. We have a cash register and set prices for items. The cashiers sell items, watch inventory, organize and record sales, and learn to manage money.
This has been a great project to teach financial literacy. My students have jobs that they apply for. They manage their money, save and spend. They are learning about needs, wants, and responsibility. Thanks again!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Albertson
Student Economy
Funded Nov 30, 2021Thank you for your generous donations to our class project. My class is very appreciative of your support. We use the cash drawer, money set, calculators and prized daily. My bankers are so happy to finally have a way to organize the money. They look forward to bank day now that things are organized. My cashiers are excited by the new items they have to sell in their shop. Items are flying off the shelves and behavior has improved. Everyone is working hard to earn class cash. My students take their jobs seriously and with these items work is so much easier. Thank you again for the support.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Albertson
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 3 other donors.Team Sports for Second Grade All Stars
Funded Nov 30, 2021Thank you very much for your generous donation. To our class project. The soccer balls, goals and cones were put to good use. Over the past 8 weeks we have had a four class, 8 team tournament. The kids had a fantastic time and learned so much all while meeting their PE standards. The biggest impact was teamwork and cooperation. The kids learned to work as a team and have good sportsmanship. They developed gross motor skills with soccer drills and practice. Finally, meeting second graders from other classes has promoted more friendship across the grade level. Thank you very much for the generous gift.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Albertson
This classroom project was brought to life by #TeachHealthy with Nature Made and 4 other donors.A Carpet to Meet On
Funded Dec 1, 2021Thank you very much for your generosity. My class is very appreciative. We loved our beautiful new blue Lakeshore carpet. It is a wonderful addition to our classroom and makes the space bright and inviting. My students live it so much they have decided that no one should be allowed to walk on it with shoes. So, they always take their shoes off before sitting down. The rug is our meeting, hang out, relaxation, and work space. It is valued and appreciated. When visitors walk into the classroom they notice our beautiful rug and the kids ask them to take their shoes off or walk around. It is nice to watch them show gratitude and responsibility. Thank you again.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Albertson
We Can't Hear You!
Funded Dec 1, 2021Thank you so much for your generous donations to our class project. My class is so grateful for you. The speaker and microphones are amazing and have added so much to our classroom. We have dance and karaoke parties on special occasions and for quick brain breaks. We listen to music throughout the day, for PE activities and for meditation. The microphones are a game changer. We use them for speeches, morning meeting, presentations, and throughout the day. We no longer have to say, "We can't hear you". Thank you again!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Albertson
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 2 other donors.Basic School Supplies for a Fantastic Year!
Funded Jul 30, 2021Thank you very much for the generous donations to our classroom. My students and I are so grateful for your support of our learning. The supplies we received because of your donations were so helpful. This was a huge project and it has had a huge impact on learning. We have put everything to use. Post -its come in handy for so many things. We like to use them for marking the page in our books, but have also put them to good use as study tools in science and social studies. The white boards, dry erase markers and white board erasers are a class favorite for math games. We use the pens for editing and revising work. It is fun to have a glittery editing pen. The cute animal erasers went into the student store and are a crowd pleaser. The fidget bands don't fit on our chairs, but we are trying to make them work and are excited at the prospect of having something to help get the wiggles out. There are so many more items that we have put to great use in our class. The learning taking place in our classroom is happening because you believed in us. I can't thank you enough. We really appreciate you!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Albertson
This classroom project was brought to life by Kleenex® Brand and one other donor.