Past projects 3
Mobile Whiteboards Help Middle Mathers Math
Funded Aug 15, 2024I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude for your generous donation of mobile whiteboards to my classroom at South Hills Middle School. These whiteboards have been a remarkable addition and have transformed our learning environment in numerous ways.
From the moment we received the whiteboards, the joy and excitement were palpable. Students were thrilled to have more space around the classroom to engage with math concepts actively. With whiteboards no longer confined to just two walls, we now enjoy a dynamic and interactive learning space that fosters collaboration and creativity.
Every day, students eagerly inquire if we will be using the whiteboards for math. Their enthusiasm for participating and learning has grown tremendously. The ability to spread out across the classroom allows our room to be encompassed with math conversation and learning.
As a teacher these mobile whiteboards have been invaluable. They enable me to quickly assess students' understanding of concepts and identify those who may need additional guidance or redirection. This immediate feedback helps me tailor my instruction to meet the diverse needs of my students.
We are genuinely excited about the future of math learning in our classroom. thanks to your generous support, our students are not only learning math but also developing critical thinking and problem solving skills in a fun and engaging way.
Once again, thank you for your support. Your contribution has made a significant impact on our classroom, and we are immensely grateful for your generosity.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Pritchett
This classroom project was brought to life by The Gates Foundation and one other donor.Listening to Math??
Funded Aug 29, 2019Thank you for donating new headphones for math in our classroom! Students now have clear sound coming from the new headphones teaching them math concepts they need to learn. Each student uses their own login to access math games that are adapted to his/her learning level. The program gives oral instructions before each game is played. During play of the math game, math instruction, ideas, and hints are given to students to help them learn math concepts and progress individually.
My students are most excited about the clarity of sound that the headphones deliver. I have students that comment on being able to hear the bass. Overall they say the sounds are richer and more pleasant sounding compared to the old headphones. Students also love how the headphones feel on their heads and ears. They can easily adjust them to their own size. Students can wear the headphones for an extended time without them hurting their ears.
All my students think these headphones have improved their overall math experience. They focus on the math instead of headphones. Thanks for you generosity and making a difference in our classroom.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Pritchett
MATH: Engaging, Just for Me, At My Speed
Funded Aug 23, 2018Thank you so much for donating Dreambox to my math students. I teach 6 different classes, three resource math classes 7, 8 and 9 grades and three math intervention classes 7, 8 and 9 grades. The resource classes are for the lowest math students at our school that have individual education plans (IEP). The intervention classes are for our students with IEP's who are in a regular grade level math classes. Each of these classes are enjoying, learning and making progress in their math skills by using Dreambox!
My students in my resource classes struggle with the ability to focus on grade level lessons for extended periods of time. During a week, I focus on one or two big ideas. I present the lesson and we practice together. I can tell when my students are beginning to reach their threshold on maintaining focus and productive struggle. When this happens we make the transition to Dreambox. All my students in resource have holes in their math education. During Dreambox time the program allows students to work on lower grade level skills to fit their own needs. This is very helpful in many ways. Students strengthen lower level skills that increase their ability to do grade level math. Dreambox is helping me provide the individual instruction students need to catch up, especially when every student's needs are so different. Each day I have students coming in and asking if they get to play Dreambox. Students are highly engaged with this tool. As students work on the program I am able to look at their progress. I can see how much time they use the tool, what core standards they are working on and which core standards they have shown proficiency in. As I track each student, indicator signs may come up if a student isn't making progress after multiple attempts. At that point I call students over and I teach or clear up misunderstandings.
In my intervention classes I pre-teach vocabulary and support math skills students learn in their regular math classes. These students are performing grade level math and are keeping up with their peers. Having Dreambox as part of our intervention class gives them the opportunity to become stronger math students as Dreambox adapts to the skills that are needed.
Based on the use of Dreambox for the last 2 months my students have been excited about math and are becoming proficient in standards they previously were not. This to me is very exciting news because Dreambox is teaching math. Most of my students have a disability in math. Since I have known these students, some for two years, many have said "I hate math." Dreambox has helped facilitate a new math mindset. Thank you again for giving my students the opportunity to access math through Dreambox. Math isn't so scary after all!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Pritchett
This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 2 other donors.