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Ms. Darby's Classroom

  • Richard Bowling Elementary School
  • Norfolk, VA
  • Nearly all students from low‑income households Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more

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We'll charge your card today and send Ms. Darby a DonorsChoose gift card she can use on her classroom projects. Starting next month, we'll charge your card and send her a DonorsChoose gift card on the 17th of every month.

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Past projects 10

  • Digital Learning: Headphones Necessary

    Funded Sep 16, 2023

    Ensuring my kids have all the tools they need to succeed has always been my top goal. My shopping day is Saturday, when I visit several stores to compare prices and buy stuff I'll need for the next week. I used to buy $5 headphones for a listening center so that my students there could at least concentrate better. And then Donorchoose and You showed up to save the day! Every one of my students has a personal pair of headphones.

    A significant portion of education involves technology, and my students love to use their Chromebooks. Distractions are kept to a minimum and students are concentrated on the educational websites. Many thanks for your kindness and love.”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Darby

    This classroom project was brought to life by Young Sheldon on CBS and 3 other donors.
  • One Book at a Time

    Funded Aug 2, 2022

    We would like to start by thanking you for your generosity in supporting our classroom. On the first day of classes, I distributed their book, "Lemonade War." There was a small box of lemonhead candies and the book on each desk. I was so excited about the books that I made a skirt with a lemon print and wore it that day to read with my students. The books and candy made all of my students happy and excited about reading.

    I began by reading aloud to my students the first chapter. Each day, we would read a chapter and discuss. They like reading each chapter in the book at home before returning to discuss it. That week, at the end of the day, I had a student who wanted to read to the entire class. She read and asked lots of questions. I also assigned my students to read in pairs or on their own. It was fantastic!

    While reading "Lemonade War," my student learned about several reading strategies to help with understanding. We enjoyed discussing the characters' feelings, traits, and actions. We discuss how we were feeling that day as well.

    Thanks again for giving my students so much in one book. You are awesome!!”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Darby

    This classroom project was brought to life by An Anonymous Funder and one other donor.
  • Fun with Math!!!

    Funded Aug 25, 2021

    You have made a difference and made math fun. My students and I would want to express our gratitude for your generous contribution to our learning stations. We appreciate the games and activities that make math fun.

    I use the materials to introduce new concepts and abilities to my students. Once they are comfortable with the game, it is placed on a table and circulated among students to allow them to practice their skills. What I find particularly appealing is that I can utilize some of the resources to teach many skills. Counting by tens, adding and subtracting, and making collections of objects were all done using the ten frames trains.

    I'd want to thank you once more for your wonderful contribution to our education. You've made an impact and made math fun.”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Darby

    This classroom project was brought to life by Kleenex® Brand and one other donor.
  • Super Sight Word Boost

    Funded Aug 4, 2021

    Your kind donation gave my kiddos the push they needed to learn new sight words. These materials are bright, sturdy, and just the right size for their small hands

    As a teacher, I can identify multiple uses for any given thing. I have a few students who are at various reading levels. For beginning sounds, I use the sight word card with the picture for my emergent readers. For individual practice, I have a set of sight words in ziplock bags for the beginning readers, and the transitional readers use the card with word families and sentences. The swat-a-word game is a group favorite, and all of my kiddos appreciate it.

    Any new skill requires a lot of practice. They are practicing and progressing in reading. So, from the bottom of our hearts, my kiddos and I want to express our gratitude for your kindness by saying thank you, thank you, and thank you. You've made a great difference in this educational journey.”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Darby

  • Comprehension Is Our Mission!

    Funded Jan 7, 2021

    I am so grateful for this donation. Your kindness is so appreciated.

    I have used these resources/ comprehension kits to give strategies to my students to help with reading and understanding what they have read. The kits have fiction and nonfiction text with great colorful pictures. I use the text in small groups or one on one time with my students. I use these for all levels because comprehension is an important component of learning to read. I see my students enjoying reading and completing the activities that come with the kits. This has increased my skills as a teacher. It also is a quick resource in teaching comprehension strategies.

    I can't thank you enough for your generosity. You are amazing!!”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Darby

  • Independent Learning

    Funded Dec 28, 2020

    My students and I are so excited about using the resources you have provided for our independent learning time. These resources are making a huge difference and bring a little normalcy to our learning during this time of remote learning.

    My students are using these kits and practice books to increase their learning in reading. These resources/kits allow my students to explore and discover learning independently. I also like to use these activities to tutor my students with those who need that extra help. We also have used them for partner work.

    I am so grateful for your kind heart. We could not do this without your help. I am one happy teacher with happy students. Thank you again for your generosity.”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Darby

  • Practice Makes Perfect

    Funded Dec 28, 2020

    I am so grateful for the resources you have donated to my class. My students were so excited to have individual center activities to use at home. Some of the students and their families use the activities as a family game night.

    I wanted these activities to be a resource to increase fluency. Practicing with these kits has increase learning and skills in word recognition, building sentences, and fluency in reading.

    These resources provide individual centers as we are remote learning. Station/ centers are important times for individual practice for students. I keep on my board the words "practice makes permanent" as a reminder to give that time to my students. With these resources/activity kits, my students are getting the practice needed to build strong readers and students. Thank you so very much for your generosity. You are making a difference in the lives of my students.”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Darby

  • Yes, I Can Hear You!

    Funded Dec 22, 2020

    I am so grateful for this program and your generosity. You have made learning virtually a bit easier for my students and I.

    Each student received headphones with mics. It was very hard for me to hear students without them. Some students had a lot of distractions around like other siblings learning or construction in or near their homes. We are a first-grade classroom so teaching letters and letter-sounds were getting to be a challenge because students were not able to hear the individual sounds as clearly or just able to focus on what I was teaching. It was hard to answer questions because their device's mic wasn't working properly. I was so excited and happy when I was able to hear the questions or responses clearly from many of my students. This donation has definitely made a huge difference in my teaching and my student's learning.

    Thanks to you and your huge heart, my students are learning to build their reading foundation and learn more because of the headphones. We are so grateful for you and your kindness.”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Darby

  • Skilled Readers

    Funded Sep 16, 2020

    Thank you so very much for your donation. You have impacted our learning with your kindness.

    Teaching reading is something we do a lot in first grade. A lot of explicit instruction is very beneficial to any student who is learning to read. However, practicing reading is just as important to the development of my student's progress.

    Now that we are learning remotely, our resources are limited. Most of my students do not have books at home. Now, this has changed because of you and your heart to give.

    These books are used for lessons with me, independent reading, and just for entertainment from a good book. I use these books to teach sight words and decoding skills. My students are enjoying their new book library.

    I am so thankful for you.”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Darby

    This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose 20th Anniversary Fund and 5 other donors.
  • Rockstar Readers

    Funded Nov 6, 2018

    I don't believe that a thank you is enough to say how your donation has impacted my classroom. It's like a gift that keeps on giving. We have learned about animals, Ruby Bridges, spiders, Fireman, and Dr. Seuss. There is a Scholastic News edition for just about every lesson I will teach from science to important people. The brilliant picture and the informative articles sparks their curiosity. We love it.

    I've use a lot of graphic organizers to organize thinking and increase understanding about the text. So Friday's are days when we chill by grabbing a Scholastic News and an graphic organizer then the magic begins. Students are reading, share pictures and having productive conversations. They are engaged and learning . I love that.

    I know my student those who are strong readers to the one on a lower level are enjoying the article. The picture alone offer so much to any reader at any level. I usually would read the article. It's for selfish reasons. I love reading and I love reading Scholastic News.”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Darby

    This classroom project was brought to life by Amy Hayes & Sophie Leake Memorial Fund and 2 other donors.
These decodable readers will provide the practice of skills needed to build skilled readers. The books will be sent home with each student. I will incorporate the book into our virtual lessons. Being at home, my students will not have access to our library however, the library of books will provide enjoyable reading as well a good practice of skills. I chose these sets because I can teach a lesson on letter sounds and include one of the books to practice independently on their own. I will plan to use the books around many lessons such as sight word practice, sentence structure, and spelling practice.

About my class

These decodable readers will provide the practice of skills needed to build skilled readers. The books will be sent home with each student. I will incorporate the book into our virtual lessons. Being at home, my students will not have access to our library however, the library of books will provide enjoyable reading as well a good practice of skills. I chose these sets because I can teach a lesson on letter sounds and include one of the books to practice independently on their own. I will plan to use the books around many lessons such as sight word practice, sentence structure, and spelling practice.

About my class

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