Mrs. McDonald's Classroom Edit display name

Past projects 4

• Wobbling While Working

  Funded Nov 29, 2022

  I am writing to share with you the incredible impact that wobble stools have had on our second grade classroom. Since incorporating these stools into our daily routine, I have noticed a significant improvement in students' learning and overall classroom experience.

  The use of wobble stools has helped to promote movement and active sitting during class, which has resulted in increased focus and engagement from students. Rather than feeling constrained to a traditional chair, students are now able to move and wiggle as needed, which has led to improved behavior and a more positive classroom atmosphere.

  I have also noticed that the use of wobble stools has helped to improve students' posture and balance. By engaging their core muscles while sitting, students are developing better balance and coordination, which is important for overall physical health. In addition, the stools have helped to reduce restlessness and fidgeting, allowing students to better focus on their work and participate more actively in class discussions.

  Overall, I am thrilled with the impact that wobble stools have had on our second grade classroom, and I believe that they are an important tool for promoting active learning and a positive classroom environment. We use them regularly for center work, inside recess, and technology time. When students get to sit by a partner to complete work, the stools are the first location claimed. Students are always excited when it is their day of the week to sit on them!

  Thank you for your continued support in providing students resources they need to succeed.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. McDonald

  This classroom project was brought to life by an Anonymous Classroom Supporter and 3 other donors.

• Learning Science Activity Tubs

  Funded Mar 1, 2019

  Thank you so much for helping me fund my science tubs project on DonorsChoose. The tubs arrived in 2 large boxes. My students could not wait to open the boxes to see what was inside. As soon as I got out the tubs, students repeatedly asked me if we could "play" with the materials. I told the class that after we studied all of our core topics for PSSA's, we would have plenty of time to explore the information, materials, and lesson plans in great detail.

  As soon as I spotted these tubs on Lakeshore, I knew I had to add them to my current supply of science materials. Throughout the school year I covered a variety of topics during science class (it was taught 4 days a week). Students loved learning about plants, animals, the solar system, matter, and energy however the science learning "routine" became boring. Everyday students knew they had to take out their science books to read a lesson, complete a worksheet, and review vocabulary. I wanted to involve students in the learning process. I decided that by purchasing these tubs, students would get to apply knowledge they previously learned. Through trial and error, students could explain why or how an experiment happened. Instead of being bored with reading an old textbook, students became intrigued with the science content.

  Over the last few weeks, students have dug into four science bins. Students have examined different body systems (nervous, digestive, muscular, and skeletal). Students have sorted rocks by there physical characteristics. Students have examined specimens under a microscope and finally students have compared potential and kinetic energy. I can't wait to explore the remaining tubs with my students throughout the month of May. With your help and support, my students are now excited to see science on our daily schedule. I couldn't have done it without you!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. McDonald

  This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose.org Community and 8 other donors.

• Dry Erase Board

  Funded Jan 17, 2019

  Thank you so much for helping me purchase a whiteboard for my fourth grade classroom. A few months ago, the class was relying on an old chalkboard to record notes and draw diagrams to interpret information. Often times, I would be the only individual writing on the board as many students didn't want to touch the chalk or "get dirty". However now student participation has increased drastically as everyone wants a chance to solve a problem on the new board.

  When the whiteboard arrived in my classroom, students couldn't wait to unwrap the box as they had no idea what could be inside it (since the box was so large). Once we opened it, the students wanted to start using it that day. I told the class we had to wait for someone to come drill it into the wall so that it was sturdy. Thankfully, crew members came two days after the delivery and we were able to start using the whiteboard by the end of the week!

  So far, we have used the board to write down novel study notes in reading, planet information in science, and facts about the Northeast in social studies. We have also solved a variety of measurement and fraction problems on the board, and recorded morning work and homework assignments to help students stay on top of their work. I know I will continue to use the board in the next few months as the class starts to review skills for the PSSA's. The board will be a great tool to revisit a variety of comprehension and processing skills. I can't believe I lasted so long without a whiteboard, but I am definitely thankful for having one now!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. McDonald

  This classroom project was brought to life by Someone Who Cares and 2 other donors.

• Fluency for 4th Grade!

  Funded Oct 1, 2018

  My students were so exited to receive new math manipulatives! As I was opening the kit, I had all the students hovered around me as they wanted to explore the new additions to our classroom. We hung up the posters on my chalkboard right away so we could preview what key concepts we needed to master this year.

  Since receiving the kit, my fourth grade students have already used the flex grids multiple times when we studied arrays. Students were able to create different squares and rectangles using these grids to visually represent a variety of multiplication problems. The plan is to also use these grids in the future when we examine the area and perimeter of shapes.

  In addition to manipulatives, the kit stresses the importance of students gaining fact fluency. With the provided resource book, I can implement different strategies into my lessons to ensure students understand the reason behind what they are doing when solving different problems. My goal is that with this kit, all 18 of my students will be able to solve

  a variety of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division problems effortlessly.

  In class, I will continue to expose my students to facts. When this happens, the brain establishes a memory relationship with the fact, leading to automatic retrieval. By the end of fourth grade, my goal is to have students recall 30 facts correctly in one minute.

  All of this wouldn't be possible with out you so I want to thank you again for all of your support!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. McDonald

  This classroom project was brought to life by ETA hand2mind and 5 other donors.