Past projects 12
Replenish to Finish Off the Year Strong!
Funded Feb 26, 2025Thank you so much for our restock! These materials allow me to give my students engaging materials through the end of the year. Ticonderoga are the best pencils! For our math games I always need page protectors. The books allow students to read engaging books using what they have learned in phonics.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Goldstein
Make Reading Decodable!
Funded Aug 11, 2024Thank you so much for giving such amazing books to my students. Within the last few years I have really learned about the importance in the shift from predictable and leveled texts to decodable books. This allows students to get more practice from what they are learning in phonics and to apply it to books they read. It promotes true reading strategies that support early readers.
The books in this project were engaging and allow me to give my students even more books to read at all levels. I love that my students actually want to read independently. For my first several years of teaching, reading time was always chaotic. I now see it is because they didn't know how to read the books they were given. Students love reading when they are able to sound out the words. We really appreciate this gift.
Thank you,
Rachel”
With gratitude,
Ms. Goldstein
Help Us Make Learning Fun!
Funded May 27, 2024Thank you so much for the generous supplies. As stamina often gets lower in reading during the end of the year, being able to offer my students new decodable texts was a great way to rebuild engagement. Students loved sitting with their classmates and practicing what they have learned in phonics with these books.
We also loved the slime! Students were able to have fun and play, as well as receive an end of the year gift! The fidget toys reinforced my classroom management system and offered a great incentive to follow directions, even at the end of the year.
What is also so exciting is how set up I am for next year. All of the amazing supplies like glue sticks and dry erase markers allow me to come to school in September ready to give my new class supplies that will help them learn. I am so grateful for the generous donations that allowed me to have a wonderful ending to the school year.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Goldstein
This classroom project was brought to life by Kleenex and one other donor.Teach My Students to Read!
Funded Oct 22, 2021Thank you so much for the decodable texts in this project. They have truly made a world of a difference in my classroom. For the first time ever, my early readers actually have the tools they need to read the books they have, rather than having to rely on pictures and guessing the words. My students are actually quiet during indepedent reading because they can actually read and this is the first time I have this in my five years of teaching! I give students books based on their ability and what they have learned in phonics, but also use the books in lessons I teach with small groups. I have students practice the sound they are targeting and a few words in the books before they then try and read them while I am there, able to coach them. It is truly impacting both their learning and also their confidence and for that I am so grateful.
Thank you so much,
Rachel”
With gratitude,
Ms. Goldstein
This classroom project was brought to life by Dollar General Literacy Foundation and 3 other donors.Starting the Year Off Right!
Funded Jul 12, 2021Thank you so much for the materials in this project. It is always uncertain whether students will be able to bring supplies each year, but I want them to always have what they need. The glue sticks, pencil sharpener, and paper towels allowed my students to have supplies necessary for writing and crafts in first grade. Glueing and cutting are related to fine motor skill development, something a lot of kids didn't get practice with when learning remotely. They have been very excited to get to work with these materials once again.
The play doh and Bob's books relate to the importance of teaching students to read in fun multisensory ways. By allowing students to engage with books that meet them at their level, they can build confidence in their reading. The students were very motivated by the play doh.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Goldstein
This classroom project was brought to life by Clorox.Learning in the Digital World
Funded Dec 1, 2020Thank you so much for your generous donations that really are allowing my students to learn this year. The ink allowed for me to print many resources that reinforce the material I am teaching. As this year continues to switch between in person and online learning, there are many gaps that are happening between what is being taught and the amount of time it is practiced. My school had not been able to make copies for this year. By allowing me to print copies for my students, I have been able to print the materials we need and allow students to keep it. This way, they can practice (phonics skills for example) both at home and in school. I have really seen a difference in learning when students can hold a physical copy of the work we are doing.
The Teachers Pay Teachers gift card allows for the same type of enhanced learning. There are so many talented teachers who have made both digital and printable resources that align well with what I teach. Between the switches, I don't always have time (or know how) to create engaging resources, but with this gift card, I have been able to purchase and support other teachers who have made valuable materials for my class. I am so grateful!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Goldstein
This classroom project was brought to life by FamilyAlbum and 3 other donors.Help My Students Read at Home!
Funded Oct 22, 2020Thank you so much for your generous gift. At the beginning of each year, we assess students to find out their reading levels. We then assign them books based on this. Finding books that match the needs of our readers online has been very difficult. Finding a website with high quality books that are easily accessible for families is really challenging. The website I asked for access to with this project has books that are exactly like the ones we use in school for a program called guided reading. This is where students read with the teacher at a book slightly more challenging than what they can read on their own and learn strategies to solve unknown words. The books in this kit come with lesson plans, supporting activities, and are books of high quality. I have been able to share my screen and do guided reading in a way that is truly similar to what I would do in person. I can then assign students books. I also can give them books that they can read on their own. The books are engaging and I have already seen progress.
I also was given a material that allows me to make my phone a document camera. Teaching writing online has been difficult, and allowing students to watch me as I write has made a world of a difference.
Thank you so much for making this challenging year so much more manageable!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Goldstein
This classroom project was brought to life by An Anonymous Donor and 3 other donors.Relevant Books for Motivated Readers
Funded Feb 16, 2020Thank you so much for the books you provided. Some of the skills taught using the books have been related to both decoding skills and social emotional discussions. For the leveled texts, students have been able to practice skills such as taking off endings of words and thinking of what makes sense to figure out unknown words. As the texts are more challenging, students are able to answer comprehension questions as well. Through the read aloud texts, we are able to have discussions on skin color and acceptance that we couldn't have without these books.
Reading in our classroom takes place often. Each day we have a mini lesson teaching a reading strategy. Students then go off and read independently then with a partner, as the teacher takes a small group. The students have enjoyed reading the leveled texts at this time. Students then listen to a read aloud in the afternoon.
There are many students who are really enjoying the texts. We got some texts that are related to behavior and strategies. Students are able to practice those strategies when they feel upset. Some of my students are now able to read at higher levels. During independent reading, they have been able to read the read alouds with a partner, motivating them to read more challenging books.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Goldstein
Teaching Children to Be Givers
Funded Nov 11, 2018Thank you so much for donating the bean bag chair and flexible seat to my class. This year, my students really learned what it meant to feel empathy for someone else, as well as learning what they can do to help. Our school had a fire and we haven't been able to return to our class (although it is okay). Another first grade lost all of their materials and are unable to return to their room. I wanted my students to understand that we can feel good about doing something kind for others. It is a hard concept to understand for first graders that when they see something big and amazing, although they want it, it can be better to give it to someone else. We had heard the teacher in the other class say they were sad they lost their bean bag, so my students decided to give them one. They were able to pick it out on their own, as well as the additional sensory materials. Knowing that students who were through so much may need some support to feel safe again at school, I thought these were the perfect gifts.
When the materials arrived, the students were very excited. At first a few asked if we could instead keep them. We then created a card and decorated the box of the bean bag and supplies. As a class, we then went down to give the gifts to the other class. The students were so excited to receive it and my class was very proud to be able to give it. My students were then happy to have imaginative time and then created a "house car" with the box. I feel so proud of my students for learning how special it can feel to give to others.
My students are really learning about empathy and sympathy. They are learning to recognize different feelings and that it is okay to feel sad sometimes, and how to get themselves out of their sadness. I plan to continue to discuss emotions and what we can do about each one. This was a great experience for myself and my students and I feel very grateful.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Goldstein
Diverse Learners Need Diverse Supplies
Funded Nov 16, 2018Thank you so much for the generous gifts for my class this year. This being my first time in a general education class, I was initially struggling to figure out how to best support all of my learners in the class. I quickly realized that my students needed manipulatives so that they can physically be doing something when they learn. I therefore asked for the individual rekenreks, magnet letters, mini dry erase boards, and cvc letter cards for them. When I introduced each of these materials, the students were so excited to be able to do something I am teaching on their own. It has truly been beneficial during phonics to be able to break up words using the letters.
My students are from diverse backgrounds. Many of them do not have skin colors that match the typical crayon and paper choices. Being able to give students options for skin colors (using the faces) allowed them to be proud of who they are. We created a beautiful class charter where we discussed what it meant to be a class community and how we want to get there. We then were able to create our faces using materials that more truly represented who we are.
I also asked for some sensory stimulating materials that help while learning. Once again, being in a general education class, my students often learn in a larger group. Spending time sitting in a meeting area or chair can be tricky for first graders who like to move. I now am able to allow my students alternate seating or something to hold onto when learning.
What is next for my class is to really continue to strengthen our reading and writing skills. As winter approaches, I am really pushing my students to being able to read higher level books and write several sentences. Using the materials given to me from this project, I feel confident in myself and my class that my students will continue to have an incredible year, building both academic skills and confidence in themselves!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Goldstein
This classroom project was brought to life by Staples and one other donor.