Past projects 3
Fantastical Adventures!
Funded Mar 30, 2023Thank you so much for helping our classroom library to grow! These books will arrive just in time for our Fantasy Unit to begin. I am looking forward to sharing them as a part of our kickoff and getting students excited to read! Your generosity is greatly appreciated. Thank you!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Ulanowsky
Creative Classroom!
Funded Feb 1, 2023Thank you so very much for your generosity in supporting our class. I can assure that your donation will make a difference in the education of my students! Having the right tools to do the job saves time and allows us to do the job right. These headphones with microphones will provide access to online reading programs and other learning applications and informational videos. They will enhance access to reading skills and content for struggling readers and help them to feel successful. The drawing paper is just the right size for partner work and designing posters, infographics and other project work. I cannot thank you enough for supporting our class and helping us to have the tools we need.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Ulanowsky
Fifth Grade Enters the 21st Century!
Funded Mar 19, 2018Thank you so much for this incredible gift to our class. Adding just 5 iPads to our classroom has changed the way our lessons function and brought speed and specificity to the research we have been doing in class. In math, students who have previously struggled to access content through whole class instruction now have a means through which to practice math standards. Using Khan Academy on the iPad has helped students who struggle in whole class lessons focus in on math instruction. This means that behavior problems have slipped away and all students spend more time on math instruction, whether on an iPad or with a teacher. This has been great for teachers and students because teachers are able to modify instruction with much greater flexibility and track the progress of students who are moving at a different pace than the general class population.
Students have really enjoyed using the iPads for research. In our unit on independent research projects each student selects his or her own question for inquiry. This is often challenging because it can be hard to make sure each student has a minimum of three high quality resources. Students also tend to have unanswered questions after reading the sources they do find. This year, students signed up for 30 minute sessions on the iPad as they did research "to fill in the blanks". Students who needed iPads were able to get the information they needed. They did an incredible job of sharing and taking turns, really being honest about whether they needed the tool or not. Students were able to access short video clips and interviews, as well as articles. I was able to teach small lessons on determining the quality of a source with students as they were doing their research. These iPads changed the level of instruction for this unit and many for research units to come!
The best part about having iPads in class is seeing students who were previously unengaged open up and get excited about trying something at school. Students who rejected math or writing all year opened up and became active students when the iPads were introduced. Being able to watch a math video as many times as needed, privately, helps students access the help they need without feeling embarrassed. Being able to type instead of writing by hand opens the door for those who struggle with fine motor issues. What impresses me even more is that students who don't need those accommodations never complain about not getting a turn. Students have been very generous in making sure everyone gets what they need.
A thousand thanks for choosing to donate to our project and opening all of these doors for my students. You really have made a difference in the lives of these fifth graders.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Ulanowsky
This classroom project was brought to life by The First Million Fund and 14 other donors.