Past projects 3
Connecting Is Kindness: Sending Tangible Cards to Virtual Students
Funded Jan 6, 2025I want to thank you all for your generous donations. I've been able to send birthday cards and "thinking of you" notes to my virtual students during both joyful and difficult times.
These small gestures have made a big impact. One student who was going through a tough loss told me they'd never had a teacher reach out like that, and it made them feel seen. Another said the card they received made them feel a connection they'd never experienced in online school before. In a virtual setting, it's easy for students to feel isolated, but your support has helped me bridge that gap and show students that someone genuinely cares.
Your kindness has helped create moments of encouragement, comfort, and joy that goes far beyond the traditional classroom. Thank you for making this possible!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Maiers
This classroom project was brought to life by Cheez-It & CFP Foundation Extra Yard for Teachers and 5 other donors.Tech's Next Step in Focus
Funded Mar 20, 2021I have had major success with the screen and the electronic pen. The screen has allowed me to choose my background in video conferences so students are not distracted by whatever may be happening outside my window. My computer faces the street, so sometimes there have been distractions in the past. Also, I've found backgrounds that connect with content. That means I can ask students to identify, categorize, or compare items behind me that relate to our curriculum. I use that as a builder to more complex questions and connections.
The electronic pen is taking me some time to get used to. I'm currently building my hand-eye coordination, since my pen is to the side and the screen is in front of me. I have been successful in working with students and showing them that learning takes time, and that it's okay to not be perfect off of the bat. I have a student who started watching YouTube clips & giving me pointers. I love that he's teaching me something new and that helps him with his social anxiety. By doing the research he knows he understands things I do not yet. Sometimes he stresses because he doesn't know everything, and this helps him realize that not knowing everything is part of learning. I know that when I master it, my graphs will look clear and professional. They are better than when I was using a mouse, but not where I want to be yet.
Overall, my students and I are excited about these gifts. Thank you!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Maiers
No Play = Sad Day
Funded Feb 5, 2019Your donations provided an outlet for my students to expel some of that pent up energy. They don't have scheduled recess, so I took students after they were done eating. They had a blast competing to see who could hula hoop or jump rope the longest. Many students didn't know how to hula hoop. Some students were teaching others how to do this. They were able to laugh at themselves and recognize that when others laugh when you are learning it's not always malicious. The ability to laugh at yourself is important, because it allows you to try activities you may not be comfortable with.
I did have to put parameters on the Frisbee. Some students wanted to throw it from the second story walkway! I shut that down quickly. They still had a blast. I had one student tell me that he never threw a Frisbee before! He was a quick study.
Students left inspirational messages on the sidewalk. So as people walked from classes or to their buses, they could read something that could make their day a little better.
Sometimes the buses are late, and we are supposed to keep the kids with us in the classroom. At the end of the day students just wanted to get out of the classroom and knew they couldn't. When we started to play "Silent Speedball" and "Trashketball" with the hacky sacks it changed the mood from frustrated to excited. Students didn't want to leave when their buses were called. These tools saved my sanity.
Thank you so much for donating. My students have benefited greatly. After I am gone from that school, the students there will still have access to the supplies you funded. They need it.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Maiers