Ms. Makini's Classroom Edit display name

Past projects 5

• Cooking Up Some Magic!

  Funded Aug 1, 2023

  The students were astonished when they first saw the oven. They made wish lists of all of the dishes that they could make. Having a new oven was life-changing for our students. Our first task was to make pizza which was at the top of every student's list.

  This year our students are participating in Teen Battle Chef. The students will be split into two groups. Each group will follow their own recipe. They will learn about the nutritional value of each ingredient and how to prepare each dish. Then the students will present the meal to the other group to try. They will explain the explain the culinary skills that were used, and explore the ingredients. This program allows students to expand their culinary palettes by trying new foods and learning how to make healthy food choices.

  Thank you so much for making this possible.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Makini

  This classroom project was brought to life by An Anonymous Supporter and 7 other donors.

• Trying to Keep Cool While Desperately Seeking a New Fridge

  Funded Jul 9, 2023

  Thank you so much for your donations that helped us purchase a new fridge for our Learning Cafe, a classroom where we learn the basics of cooking, follow recipes, and make healthy food choices. The students were stunned by the new fridge and were super excited to go to the supermarket and return with perishable items that could be stored at the Learning Cafe.

  Last week we made chicken salad sandwiches. We were able to use a variety of fresh vegetables that we stored in our fridge. We learned the three basic knife techniques by slicing peppers, dicing onions, and mincing parsley.

  This year we are going to participate in Teen Battle Chef. Each week students will learn two new recipes. The classes will be split into two groups. Each group will prepare a meal, enough for both groups to sample. They will discuss the history of the recipe, the ingredients, and their nutritional value. They will explain how the meal was prepared and talk about the culinary techniques they used to make the meal.

  Thank you so much for your donation. It's a gift that will keep on giving.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Makini

  This classroom project was brought to life by An Anonymous Supporter and 13 other donors.

• Living in Color

  Funded May 17, 2014

  Thank you so much for providing the funds so that we could give our students vibrant, and engaging materials, printed in color! The students and school staff all responded with oohs and aahs. It was such a blessing.

  The teachers have used the ink to create visual schedules and work station activities for our students to improve reading, writing, and functional skills. I can't believe we are already out of ink and I apologize in advance for those of you who received thank you letters in black and white. It's already time to order again!

  I thank you all again with sincerity for always putting our children first. Your dedication is heart warming and inspiring.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Makini

  This classroom project was brought to life by 100 Women in Hedge Funds and 11 other donors.

• Bringing Piggie and Gerald to Life with Mo Williams

  Funded Nov 12, 2013

  Thank you so much for funding our project and for sharing the joy of reading to my students. They absolutely adore Piggie and Gerald. It's beautiful to see their smiles and how their faces light up when I bring out the plush toys during story time. All their little hands pop up as they call out "I want to be Piggie!" or "Can I be Gerald?"

  The students love learning about these very distinct characters and enjoy recreating them during snack time. They spread blue cream cheese on a graham cracker, use pretzel sticks for Gerald's elephant trunk, and cheerios for his glasses. Pink cream cheese on a Ritz cracker, a few raisins, and a banana slice, makes an adorable Piggie, and when Piggie pretends to be a frog we just add a little green icing.

  Piggie and Gerald were a colorful addition to our "Character Study" unit and we are now using their stories for our "Books in a Series" unit. The students love using the plush toys to act out the various mishaps between Piggie and Gerald while reading the dialogue in the stories. They also put on shows for their classmates! Their relationship with books has strengthened because of Piggie and Gerald and I thank you for that. Just the other day, one of my students ran up excitedly to me during a trip to the library as he brought me a new Piggie and Gerald book that he had found! These are students with limited expressive language who are talking about books, and getting excited about reading! What a gift! Thank you again!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Makini

• Lakeshore Storytelling Kits For Special Needs Students Who Are Also English Language Learners

  Funded Dec 12, 2006

  Thank you so much for funding my proposal! You’ve given my students the opportunity to read fabulous literature and have the stories come to life at their fingertips. My current and future students will be able use these books and storytelling kits. You’ve made us all very happy. I am truly grateful for your generosity.

  Sincerely,

  Makini Velázque”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Makini