Past projects 3
Rainbow Writing Boards to Inspire
Funded Sep 1, 2023We want to thank you so much for your generosity. I can't begin to tell you what it means to these kids to have these new writing tablets! They are sweet, hard-working, creative, intelligent kids who sometimes just need a little boost, and you are all part of that for them. Our classroom is a better place because of your awesome contribution.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. San Nicolas
New School, New Room.. Need Rugs!
Funded Aug 15, 2022We are so grateful to have our new classroom rugs. As third graders, we use our new carpet space every day. We start our math time together and sing skip counting songs together. We sit together as a class after recess to chant poems and practice phonics. When it's time to work with a partner or write students love to sit together to get work done. We can now have class meetings and sit in a community circle to share. My students love having carpets in our room. Thank you for making this new seating options possible with your donations! We appreciate you!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. San Nicolas
This classroom project was brought to life by An Anonymous Funder and 3 other donors.If You Give Each Kid a Mouse...
Funded Aug 13, 2018The mice arrived before the first day of school, but as a class, we needed to set expectations and best practices before we could actually use them. As new 3rd graders, students learn to care for our shared set of chrome books, how to use them responsibly, and how navigate our Google Classroom stream and assignments. After mastering these initial lessons, we start with simple word processing documents that require students to click and type spelling words. They learn how to change color, size and font while being required to spell words correctly. Next we learn to create vocabulary slide shows that require the vocabulary word, a definition, and an image with a caption/sentence that uses the vocabulary word and shows understanding. For this initial "learning phase" students use their touch pad. The work can be slow, the struggles are real, but they learn to be thorough and precise.
After a month, I introduced highlighting text to my students. They can and will use this particular skill while choosing a section of text to copy/change/or move, focusing in on spelling patterns, and finding text evidence in reading passages. However, this is not a skill that is easily done with a touch pad. Before their frustration level outmatched their grit, I introduced their classroom set of mice. Like magic, they were highlighting like pros, and in addition, the rest of their work now happens comes together with more confidence and expertise.
As easily as saying "Alohomora", these mice are opening doors for my students. Students approach assignments with more confidence and creativity. Students who are struggling with literacy are more engaged with "reading" games due to the faster/easier interface. Students now highlight areas of text to help them prove their answers and support their point of view. Students are more likely to explore different features of our Google apps, and a few of them have even taught me and the rest of the class what they have learned to do.
Although it is a simple tool, the set of mice that we were granted by this project has brought magic into our lives. Not only are we gaining valuable 21st century skills, we have also learned to treat them with respect and responsibility. We use them with care, then wrap up our cords nicely and put each mouse "to bed" in it's own pocket at the end of the day. Even the most energetic child knows to be responsible with them. It's a small step, but the fact that they understand the value of these little gadgets and act accordingly warms my heart. If we can learn to appreciate and take care of the little things, then life is good.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. San Nicolas