Past projects 9
Recognize, Regulate, Reset
Funded Nov 28, 2023Because of your generosity, students are able to de-escalate when they enter this space. The kinectic sand trays are a huge hit, and students LOVE to use them. In fact, it is the first thing students request when they come here. The sand trays are the most popular calming activity I have found so far.
Another item that has been extremely helpful is the timer; students are able to share how long they think they will need to self-regulate, and having a timer that they can set themselves is empowering for them.
Finally, the arching floor lamp has been so helpful. From the time it came out of the box, students have benefited. First, there were two students who were able to follow directions and assemble the lamp. Each time they come to my room, they remind me that they assembled it and are proud of their accomplishment.
It is through your generous donations that my space has been made better!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Wilson
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 4 other donors.Relax, Relate, & Restore!
Funded Nov 30, 2022Thanks to your generous donations, we have plenty of resources for students to access when they are feeling stressed, angry, or overwhelmed. For example, students who are feeling stressed love to come in, choose an image, and determine what they want to use to color/design with. Most student prefer fine-point markers, which we never have enough of:)
When students first realized how many choices they have, they couldn't wait to start. In fact, they fought over who would put the shelving unit together and who would hang the lights.
Although we are so excited with these donations, we are already planning our next project! We hope to find some flexible seating arrangements so that we can meet the needs of all of our scholars.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Wilson
This classroom project was brought to life by an Anonymous Classroom Supporter and 4 other donors.Relax, Reflect, Restore
Funded May 18, 2022I wish you could see the faces of students when they see our new space! It's hard to say what they're drawn to most--the bean bag chairs, the playdough, the spinners, the fidgets, the UNO cards, I could go on . . .
This new space, and all of the supplies we've received to help make it welcoming, provides a sense of warmth and comfort to all who enter. In fact, it's hard to scoot the students on their way once they've resolved the issues they came here for.
We are looking forward to expanding relaxation by adding some clipboards, magnet fidgets, colored pencils, and meditative coloring books.
I cannot thank you enough for your overwhelming generosity!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Wilson
This classroom project was brought to life by Barbara Dalio and Dalio Education and 2 other donors.Restorative Support: An Ancient Idea Inspires Transformative Practice
Funded Jan 22, 2022Your generous donation has helped our students in so many ways. To begin with, the new playdough offers students an opportunity to help manage tension and stress. I wish you could see the excitement when a student opens a playdough and realizes that it is the first time being used. I have one student who makes it a point of coming to my room at the end of each day just so she can organize the playdough by color; she is quite possibly my biggest fan. Honestly, these middle school students know that when they come here, it is a place for them to relieve whatever stress they might be feeling. Sometimes it's the best way to get them to talk; there's something magical about being able to provide manipulatives such as playdough and stress balls. On any given day, there are several students who will stop by just to borrow a playdough or a stress ball to use with them in their classes so that they don't get distracted.
One of the favorite additions to this space is the bean bag chairs! I have the three chairs and was able to set them up in a cozy, sunny corner of the room. Students are able to come in, grab a coloring book, some colored pencils and take a break without interrupting meetings that I might be involved in.
One of the things I'm looking forward to doing is creating another corner for students. I envision a few more chairs, some poofs, and trays so that students can play quiet card games or talk quietly amongst themselves.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Wilson
Students Who Read Will Succeed!
Funded May 5, 2020Reading is fundamentally one of the single most important activities that will build confidence, stamina, and knowledge in our students. I love to be able to provide independent reading books for the students in my classroom, because when children are provided with a classroom that is rich with choice, they are more inclined to read. Research supports reading for 30 minutes a day increases vocabulary and comprehension skills.
Because many of my students come to 8th grade without having found an author or even a title that has turned them on to reading, it it my honor to be able to introduce them to as many new titles as possible. Reluctant readers in particular can become quickly engaged with books that have characters who look like them, think like them, and act like them.
Thank you for helping me provide my students with attractive titles to try. Your generosity has enabled me to offer high-interest books to my students.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Wilson
This classroom project was brought to life by SONIC Drive-In and 5 other donors.We Must Continue to March!
Funded Mar 6, 2020I can't tell you how much your generosity means to me and to my students. I have always loved to read and work diligently to share that passion with my students. Each year, less and less of them seem to be interested in holding a book in their hands. This inspires me to seek out the newest and most interesting titles to put on the shelves of my classroom. Because of donations such as yours, I am able to fill the shelves with books that will engage even the most reluctant reader.
It's working! These students are excited when they see the Amazon boxes full of new books, and they have eagerly looked through and chosen books to read on their own.
I am beyond grateful for your help!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Wilson
This classroom project was brought to life by A group of anonymous donors and 5 other donors.Bearing Witness: Compassionate Truth Tellers Are Empowered Citizens
Funded Mar 2, 2020I am an AVID reader and am always on the lookout for the next great title that will inspire my students to try reading as a way to relax. I firmly believe that reading for pleasure is the single most important thing we can do for ourselves when we are trying to build vocabulary and comprehension, which is why I was so excited when I found Ghost Boys. Not only is it high interest and engaging for my students, but the lexile level is appropriate for my very reluctant readers. Finally, I have found a book that will interest them and that they can enjoy on their own! I cannot even explain the level of success this feels like!
Although it's only been a few days since these books arrived in my classroom, they are already making such an invaluable difference! There are students who I have struggled to get to engage in everyday lessons rush through their work so that they can continue reading. What a gift!
I am eager to find more books like these so that my students will continue to improve!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Wilson
This classroom project was brought to life by A group of anonymous donors and 5 other donors.Read All About It: Student Readers become Student Leaders!
Funded May 18, 2019I cannot thank you enough for your generous donation to our classroom. I have always been a reading geek, and I do my best to turn my students into "geeks" as well. I pay close attention to new titles and am always reading new adolescent books in the hopes of finding the perfect title for the perfect student.
With the ever-increasing use of technology and social media, it seems as if less and less students are interested in books. When I come across one I think they might enjoy, I order at least two of the same title, hoping that I can entice more than one student to give it a try. This usually works:) The problem is that I can get lost on Amazon and fill a cart so quickly that I forget how much this is costing me. I can't help it; I love books and want to do everything I can to encourage young readers to fall in love as well.
Your generous donation allowed me to add to the books I have for students to choose from, especially my reluctant readers. New titles always bring enthusiasm when it comes to reading, and every title counts!
My students are already enjoying the titles you purchased for us and are asking for more. Thank you so very much!!!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Wilson
This classroom project was brought to life by Google.org and 3 other donors.Chromebooks for Classroom Collaboration!
Funded Mar 19, 2018Thank you so very much for your generous donation! Most of my 8th grade students use technology outside of the classroom, and it was my hope that by integrating the use of technology, specifically Google Class Room, into my daily lessons that my students would become more engaged in their learning. Because of your donation, I have been able to add daily use of chrome books to my class. This has enabled me to allow my students to complete their work in Google Class Room and submit it to me electronically, which was not a possibility before.
Students who were not previously motivated to work have begun to regularly ask if they can grab a chrome book and get to work. This is so exciting for me to see, and they are pleased with their progress. I have one student in particular who was literally maintaining a zero average in my class. Since the incorporation of the chrome books in language arts class, his grade has increased so much that I was able to call home to say what a turn around he has made!
As a teacher, it is always exciting to see students eager to participate in their learning. Because of your generosity, I have been able to allow students a new opportunity for taking responsibility for learning. I cannot thank you enough!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Wilson