Past projects 10
Books Inspire!
Funded Feb 17, 2022All of my reading students received a copy of the book, Change Sings, by Amanda Gorman. My groups researched the author and reviewed the important vocabulary in the book.
Change Sings was a beautiful book with an important message for my 4th and 5th graders receiving reading intervention. The students practiced it many times for fluency practice. There was such a beautiful rhythm to the words so the students loved rereading it. My groups then went to different classrooms in our school to read it out loud. Thank you for your generous donation.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Graff
This classroom project was brought to life by Black History Month Partners and 5 other donors.Wonder in Their Hands
Funded Dec 24, 2020Having a copy of the book Wonder for each of my 42 students to read has been an amazing and heartfelt experience for my students and me. The language is spoken from a young person's point of view, and Auggie's many life experiences incite empathy from the students. Conversations about how different people can act(character traits) and the importance of showing kindness resonates with students. The students are asked to use a post-it note to mark a spot in their reading they found interesting, funny, or that they had a question about. These post-it notes lead the discussion. Many have seen the movie but have not read the book. They are experiencing how much closer they can be with characters when reading compared to watching a movie.
The story is told from many different points of view. This has led to a great story discussion on the narrator, point of view, and comparing/contrasting the characters. Every week the students use the SeeSaw website to answer a discussion question. Many parents have positively expressed how happy they are seeing their child read this book.
We are not finished with the book yet but I wanted to say thank you for allowing this group of students to experience Wonder in their hands.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Graff
Books that Look like Me
Funded May 28, 2020The books that were chosen for the students to read were previewed for diversity and interest. The Global Read Aloud program guided some of my choices in books. They were engaging and crossed many cultures. Each of the students received one book to keep at home. The class that I teach virtually is bilingual and there are many students of Hispanic heritage. The book Dreamers by Yuyi Morales was read at the beginning of the school year and was a favorite.
The books inspired us to write and become authors ourselves! The book Fry Bread was another favorite. The students shared and wrote stories about special foods their families serve. The book, Alma and how she got her name, was another favorite. Students asked their families about their own names.
At the beginning of school, every student drove by and picked up a bag of supplies. We gave each student a choice in what book they would like to keep. When I read each of the books on zoom they would proudly hold theirs up on zoom and share. I was so inspired by this that I am hoping to do this another time. Our school is introducing character traits and diversity in books, and I think there is nothing better for my students during this time of virtual learning than to connect through books. Thank you for making this possible.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Graff
This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and one other donor.Here Comes the Sun!
Funded Oct 25, 2019Every 4th and 5th-grade student answered the questions - What is my carbon footprint? How can I reduce my carbon footprint? The students used collaboration, research skills, and critical thinking to answer these questions. They saw relevance in the question and were engaged to research and explore these questions.
Looking at renewable energy resources was so exciting for my students. The hands-on use of the renewable energy kits added to their knowledge of alternative energy resources.
Thank you for your support of our learning.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Graff
3D Printer Adds Another Dimension To Learning!
Funded Nov 15, 2016The filament that you purchased for my class will allow for our 3D projects to keep going. My students come from different socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds, but one thing is clear, they are engaged in learning when the 3D printer is involved. We have printed out landmarks from around the world when learning about geography. Models of the Statue of Liberty, Eiffel Tower, Big Ben, and the Great Wall of China are examples of what we 3D printed. They each received a copy of our school mascot, and our next project will be to print out small globes.
Having exposure to 3D printing is exciting and a great impetus for my students to look into future STEM opportunities. Thank you for helping us to purchase filament for our 3D printer. Every one of my students is being exposed to exciting endeavors with technology.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Graff
Listen Children
Funded Oct 12, 2015The students are so excited to have new headphones! There are so many great resources online for them to listen and enjoy stories. They have been listening to an online website called razkids as a choice for the listening station. By listening to the rich stories, that are fiction and nonfiction, they are also becoming stronger and more fluent readers.
When I opened the package they were so excited because I did not have enough headphones for a station, and some were not in good shape. They love using the headphones so this definitely encourages another choice in their reading.
Our school is looking into a science subscription which has more books connected to what we are studying. The next steps will be to include these books in our online choices.
Thank you so much for caring about the students. Your caring has made a difference in our classroom and I appreciate it very much.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Graff
If I Can Build It, I Will Learn
Funded Feb 25, 2015My class had their first opportunity to explore littleBits on Digital Day of Learning. They were engaged learners, and wanted to explore many ideas. This kit encouraged creativity and ingenuity which are 21st century skills we want our young learners to develop. My class has been learning about inventions of Ancient China and Egypt. We have had many exciting discussions about recent inventions also.
The class will continue to have a weekly rotation to explore littleBits. They have already asked "When will we be able to use littleBits again?"
Thank you for your generous donation to fund my project. My students would not have had the opportunity to explore, and create with littleBits if it wasn't for your thoughtful dedication to education.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Graff
Makey Inventors
Funded Dec 5, 2013When I pulled out the MaKeyMaKey for the first time the students were curious, and full of thoughtful questions. Some of the questions included: "How does the banana make the computer play a note? Will an orange work? How do the foil and banana work? What does ground mean? I wonder what else we can connect to the wires that would work?" A teacher's dream is for the students to be full of wonder and they certainly were. The MaKeyMaKeys stimulated young minds and promoted creative thinking. I showed video clips from the MaKeyMaKey website, and the students were engaged in learning new ways to use them. One of the educational goals was to promote the scientific method through discovery, and this was happening.
The MaKeyMaKey provide creative, and critical thinking opportunities for my students. I can't fully express my thanks and excitement for incorporating them into my classroom instruction. The students are engaged in learning when using them. The MaKeyMaKeys will continue be used in upcoming units that explore inventions, and the scientific method. Thank you for sharing my vision to provide engaging learning instruction for the students.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Graff
This classroom project was brought to life by an anonymous donor and 3 other donors.Lego Ingenuity
Funded Aug 31, 2013The Lego blocks provide creative, and critical thinking opportunities for my students. Also, they allow for students to use spatial visual modes of learning. The students had choice opportunities to show learning after a map unit. Many students chose the Legos as another way to explain what they knew about maps. After a field trip to a corn maze, I had students ask, " Can we please make our own maze with the Legos?" Several groups made mazes and shared them with other students to solve. The students are always engaged when using the legos, and it allows for them to use their imagination to create. Recently, the students were challenged to build something and then write a story about it. They had the choice of working with a partner, or by themselves. While building, there was a lot of discussion between the students about how they would begin their story. One example of a story was called "The Jewel". The student had written about a special room, and a quest for a jewel.
I can't fully express my thanks and excitement for incorporating legos into my classroom instruction. The students are engaged in learning when using them. Legos will continue be used in upcoming units to express learning in a different way. Thank you for sharing my vision to provide engaging learning instruction for the students.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Graff
This classroom project was brought to life by Kia Motors America and 4 other donors.Let's Get Digital!
Funded Nov 6, 2010My students have been taking pictures of classmates, guest speakers, and activities occurring in the classroom. I want to share a couple of examples when the students have used the cameras. During our morning meetings we have students share drawings, family pictures, stories, and many other things that are important to them. There is a student who is chosen to photograph the session. During our science units, the students have photographed experiments that we have done together. Also, we have had volunteers come in to lead experiments or read to the class. This has been another opportunity for a student photographer. The students love having the hands on activity with the camera. It makes them feel more engaged and involved in what we are doing. Also, the students are learning how to download the pictures to the computer. During a morning meeting, we looked at the pictures taken through our Apple iphoto slideshow program. Our plan is to include the pictures taken throughout the year in a slideshow which they produce! Thank you so much for providing this wonderful opportunity for my class, and for future classes as well. ”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Graff