Past projects 3
Western Readers!
Funded Dec 3, 2024Being an educator can be incredibly stressful. There is planning, assessing, learning new curriculum, communicating with families, being a mentor, a role model, an advocate, and sometimes a mediator. This is all in addition to the daily instruction that must occur for students to progress and grow to their full potential. Instructing becomes a near-impossible task when teachers do not have the appropriate resources or can offer choice in materials which increases student engagement.
Since receiving the generous donation of various texts, the teachers in our school have built confidence in utilizing our new reading program and students are motivated to read independently and in small groups. Our first to fourth-grade students have been averaging 30 minutes of independent, engaged reading each day in school, allowing teachers to pull small, skills-based reading groups. Our percentage of students reading on grade level has increased 10 percent since the beginning of December; it has been amazing to watch!
Our thanks are endless as every student and teacher in our school has been affected by your generosity. Thank you again and again for supporting us.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Wojnar
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and one other donor.Reading Across Western!
Funded Nov 5, 2024Being an educator can be incredibly stressful. There is planning, assessing, learning new curriculum, communicating with families, being a mentor, a role model, an advocate, and sometimes a mediator. This is all in addition to the daily instruction that must occur for students to progress and grow to their full potential. Instructing becomes a near-impossible task when teachers do not have the appropriate resources or can offer choice in materials which increases student engagement.
Since receiving the generous donation of various texts, the teachers in our school have built confidence in utilizing our new reading program and students are motivated to read independently and in small groups. Our first to fourth-grade students have been averaging 30 minutes of independent, engaged reading each day in school, allowing teachers to pull small, skills-based reading groups. Our percentage of students reading on grade level has increased 10 percent since the beginning of December; it has been amazing to watch!
Our thanks are endless as every student and teacher in our school has been affected by your generosity. Thank you again and again for supporting us.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Wojnar
Bouncing Into Books!
Funded Aug 27, 2018I wish you were able to see the look on my students' faces when the new yoga chairs were brought into my classroom! They were so, incredibly excited to try them out; I've never had students upset if their reading group wasn't called over to the reading table. We worked through logistical and safety rules regarding the chairs and I am pleased to report that all of my kindergarten students are using them safely and appropriately.
These amazing chairs have a home-base at my reading group table, however they are used elsewhere when needed. I chose to place these at my reading table because activities in this area occur later in the afternoon. Since the majority of special classes (art, music, library, computer) take place in the classroom, students do not have a lot of opportunities to move around. The yoga chairs give students a chance for small movements while learning. They help keep their attention and students are actively engaged in lessons. In addition, chairs may be used for certain students throughout the day if they are having trouble staying in their seat and need a little release of energy.
New research has proved correct and helpful in my classroom! Student movement increases engagement and attention. I will continue to monitor whether the use of these special chairs also increases the ability for students to retain new information. In the future I would love the opportunity to add various alternative seating arrangements in my classroom (such as wobble stools). Being able to give students the opportunity to choose the seating and space that works best for them will be place them at a great advantage!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Wojnar