Past projects 4
We See in Color: Toner Ink Wanted!
Funded Dec 4, 2024For instructions to be fully effective, teachers rely on various instructional aids that engage and inform students' learning and enhance the experience and progress of the students. The availability of color printing in a school setting with students with disabilities is an important and necessary classroom resource. Your contribution has given the students the opportunity to have their classroom materials printed in color. Incorporating the color worksheets have helped the student to see the relevance of the content and its real-world application. The materials have served to reinforce the use and value of learning materials that could have otherwise been printed in black and white and appear boring and disconnected to the students.
The gift has been used for the printing of differentiated worksheets, reference charts, posters, and various other classroom materials including projects. For example, during Black History Month there were several assignments completed, including our most recent project where students created dioramas and hand puppets. The effect of having access to color printed materials have been far reaching. Your gift has also impacted the wider school community. Teacher colleagues have used the resource to provide materials for the students in their classrooms.
We gratefully extend a big thank you for allowing us the opportunity to work with colored materials and truly "See in Color".”
With gratitude,
Ms. Simpson
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 14 other donors.We See in Color! - Technology Support
Funded Dec 23, 2021The project was funded at the most convenient time when the students were returning from remote learning. For many of the students, they had not been in the school building for such an extended period and they too were uncertain about how different school would be for them. When the students were informed that they would be getting a printer for the classroom, they were all excited about the opportunity of having their classroom materials printed in color. They were eager for it to arrive and were constantly asking when they could see the printer. When the printer arrived, they were just as eager to have it set up. The first print was a thank you note to the students. One student who likes to replicate drawings and colorful characters immediately requested prints to use for his choice time activity. Since the printer have been functional, the students have all volunteered to retrieve and distribute prints, and are always excited whenever it is their turn to do so.
The students have benefitted tremendously from the technology, especially the colorful worksheets. The students are now able to write, give more visual descriptions and make more accurate observations and comments relating to questions about specific pictures or images. One example was when a student commented that the fraction boxes were "different colors" . The student's comment validated the need for students to experience learning in brilliant colors, and with examples that are similar to real life. The students have used printed materials to explore beautiful art, decorate the bulletin board and classroom door for Black History and Women's History month. Students now have access to materials that are similar to the visual presentation during instructions, instead of a dull black and white version. The students have also been generous with their technology by allowing other members of the school to print materials. This has given other students the opportunity to have access to color prints to enhance their learning experience. Personally, with the availability of such needed technology, it has become less challenging to have printed materials ready for instructions, leaving me with the time to focus on other areas. I have also been able to color code the different levels of materials for easy reference and better organization. Additionally, the printer has been helpful with modifying the instructions and creating teacher made worksheets.
It is evident from observations made since returning to in person classes, that the impact of remote learning has not benefitted all students. This is especially true for students with disabilities. These students were not able to receive appropriate services, for example occupational therapy. The students were not able to practice necessary skills to help them improve on their challenges or to meet their goals, for example, hand writing and reading comprehension. The printed materials have given the students the opportunity to return to writing in a traditional form, instead of typing. This have helped with their readjustment to using paper and pencil, and the ability to practice their fine motor skills by writing, coloring and completing their written assignments. The use of technology in this manner has resulted in a smoother transition to in person learning.
The students continue to benefit from this gift. We appreciate that this project was fully funded. It has already contributed to the visual learning experiences of the students. The opportunity now exists for the students to express themselves more creatively. This generous gift will continue to have a far-reaching effect on current and future students.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Simpson
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 14 other donors.Writing for Access
Funded Dec 3, 2019Having this project funded means that the students in my classroom are given more options to expand their writing opportunities. We are expressing our gratitude to our generous donors and all those who helped. Writing is important for expressing one’s idea. Through the use of these writing sets, students will get to express themselves by sharing and communicating their thoughts and ideas according to their own abilities. This year our school is placing greater emphasis on writing. This gift could not be received at a better moment. It is my expectation that the books will be use to help students’ written expressions and to promote understanding of their own writing. In anticipation of using these writing texts, I am confident that my students’ writing skills will improve.
Thanks to DonorsChoose.org and to the kind contributors who made this possible for the students in my classroom.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Simpson
This classroom project was brought to life by An anonymous classroom supporter and 9 other donors.Educating Diverse Minds through Digital Access
Funded Aug 13, 2019Your contributions have made a tremendous impact on the students. The computer has been used to enhance access to web programs, group reading, individual reading and the Internet, among the many purposeful use of this product. We have started to use technology every day in the classroom to engage, excite and promote learning. As a classroom teacher, I am experiencing how students who are born in a digital world learn best. With the anticipation of using technology in activities and assessment the students are energized and motivated to participate. The students have utilized the computer to access online reading programs such as MyOn, to read independently as well as in groups. My assistant and I have been involved with guided instructions and have watched proudly as the students followed directions to create their reading avatars for the MyOn reading program. The use of technology in the classroom has also given the students the opportunity to show what they can do and their willingness to learn when provided with appropriate resources.
Another insightful use of this technology is that of accessing the curriculum skills and content through videos and reading material. During instructions videos from various websites including National Geographic Kids, PBS Learning Media, NewsELA and BrainPop Jr. are used to provide prior knowledge or reinforce concepts. For students with disabilities it is important that these videos are shown to provide students with visual access to the content to aid their understanding of the topic. Additionally, students are also able to read and/or listen to stories from websites such as Starfall and Storyline Online. The students are very attentive and engaged in follow up questions and classroom discussion related to the videos.
One of the projects embarked on through this digital experience for the students include using the Internet to research facts about New York State to answer text related questions. Students also used the Internet to search different websites to find information about New York to complete their community fun facts collages. The students are most anticipative when they earn the opportunity to use the computer for a specified number of minutes of free choice. This classroom management strategy which is linked to the use of the computer has helped to strengthen students' participation in instructions. My students are truly appreciative, and this has been demonstrated in their effort, use and care of the computer. It is our intention to continue to use the technology to bolster writing stills by utilizing writing programs and other effective web 2.0 tools for learning.
My students and I are thankful for the opportunity that our donors have provided for us. This gift has exposed us to numerous possibilities for the use of technology in our classroom where students living in a digital era can have fun while learning. Thank you all.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Simpson
This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 3 other donors.