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Ms. Rastello's Classroom

  • Emily G Wetherbee Elementary School
  • Lawrence, MA
  • More than three‑quarters of students from low‑income households Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more

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Support Ms. Rastello's classroom with a gift that fosters learning.

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We'll charge your card today and send Ms. Rastello a DonorsChoose gift card she can use on her classroom projects. Starting next month, we'll charge your card and send her a DonorsChoose gift card on the 17th of every month.

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Make a donation Ms. Rastello can use on her next classroom project.

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show projects from all time

Past projects 4

  • Let's Keep Them READING!

    Funded Oct 22, 2020

    Thank you so much for your generosity and kindness! This is such a difficult time and because of you my students will have books to read while remote learning! I can't wait to tell them about it! We have mostly been reading stories on the computer screen.I know they will be so excited when they find out they will be getting their own books! The world needs more kind people like you!”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Rastello

    This classroom project was brought to life by An Anonymous Donor and 4 other donors.
  • A Place For All...A New Reading Rug!

    Funded Oct 24, 2018

    Thank you so very much for your generous gift! My students were so excited to receive a brand new, beautiful, colorful rug! They were jumping up and down when I opened it and put it in our reading area! Of course, we had to try it out right away! So we went to the rug to hear a story. The students were so surprised and happy that people they don't even know would help us get a new rug. Our school motto this year is, "Kindness Matters" so your generous gift is a true example of this and besides enjoying the rug, this kindness you have extended encourages my first graders to be kind to others!

    This rug, with its colorful squares, has helped some of the children in our class who need "their own space". This is so helpful because some children have a difficult time with personal space and these bright colored squares really define each child's spot. Each child is able to have a special spot when we listen to our favorite stories or do other school work! Also, it is a favorite place to go during independent reading time.

    In addition to being our favorite reading spot, we have been using the rug for group and partnership activities, 100 day math activities, and other every day school work. It is the focal point of our room. We meet there every day! My 25 first graders and I send you a big thank you! Your gift is used and appreciated every day!”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Rastello

    This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 3 other donors.
  • Put Books in their Hands-Invest in Their Future!

    Funded Jan 1, 2019

    Thank you so so much for your donation to our classroom! What a great way to start the new year! My students are going to be so excited to get new books to read for homework every night! Thanks again for your generous gift! It is so appreciated!

    Happy New Year!”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Rastello

  • Paintings Bring Stories to Life!

    Funded Mar 27, 2018

    Thank you so very much for funding our project! Before we even began I explained to my little first graders what Donors Choose is all about. Our school theme this year is "Kindness Matters" so right away they understood that you were doing a very kind act! They thought it was so nice because, as they said, "They don't even know us and they are giving us stuff for our class!"

    For our first painting project we painted landscapes. I read the books, Sky Color and Let's Paint. We then looked at real photos of landscapes. Then it was time for the fun part-the PAINTING! I explained to the children how nice all the materials were and how kind it was for someone to buy them for us and that was all I needed to say. They took such good care of the materials! So they painting began and it was amazing! With music playing in the background the children began their masterpieces. They were so engaged in what they were doing! Their pictures had lots of color, detail, and creativity. The next day, they children wrote a description of their paintings. Some said, "The grass is spiky", "The sky is flowing", "The grass is green like green beans", "The sun is glowing", and "The sun is yellow like a banana!" There was so much more effort in their writing during the Painting project than in their every day writing. And, of course, when we finished they said, "When can we paint again?" and "Can we paint again tomorrow?" It's a wonderful thing when we can make learning fun and engaging!

    The plan is to do at least 3 more painting projects during the school year... a fall scene, a winter scene, and then let the children create their own paintings about whatever they want. In these projects I will be showing the children how to use different painting techniques that I learned during a teacher professional development. I am so grateful for the donation! It has sparked excitement and creativity in our classroom! Being able to paint pictures has truly brought life to their writing! Thank you again so much! You have made 25 first graders and 1 teacher so so happy! Kindness truly matters!”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Rastello

    This classroom project was brought to life by Ripple and one other donor.
What a great way to get kids excited about writing stories...by painting a beautiful picture to write about! I'm requesting a variety of painting materials including Prang watercolor pans and tempera paints, brushes, card stock, and copies of Let's Paint!, I Am An Artist!, Grandfather Twilight, Silver Seeds, and Cloud Dance. We will work on a theme such as penguins or spring and read books about the topic, books that have paintings for illustrations. Then, we will generate a list of related words. We will paint a picture using watercolors and tempera paints. The students will use the painting and the word lists to help them write stories with details. I believe my students will be more excited about writing when they are able to create a beautiful painting. The children love using markers so I know that using paints will get the students even more excited about writing. It will also bring out the creativity in each child!

About my class

What a great way to get kids excited about writing stories...by painting a beautiful picture to write about! I'm requesting a variety of painting materials including Prang watercolor pans and tempera paints, brushes, card stock, and copies of Let's Paint!, I Am An Artist!, Grandfather Twilight, Silver Seeds, and Cloud Dance. We will work on a theme such as penguins or spring and read books about the topic, books that have paintings for illustrations. Then, we will generate a list of related words. We will paint a picture using watercolors and tempera paints. The students will use the painting and the word lists to help them write stories with details. I believe my students will be more excited about writing when they are able to create a beautiful painting. The children love using markers so I know that using paints will get the students even more excited about writing. It will also bring out the creativity in each child!

About my class

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