Past projects 4
iPad Power!
Funded Aug 24, 2017I cannot thank you enough for your generosity! Having these new iPads in our classroom have made such an impact on my student's learning and engagement!
There are many different apps the children have been using to improve their reading and math. During independent reading, students are using the iPads as a listening center to listen to their favorite books. During phonics, students are building their phonemic awareness and foundational reading skills. During math, students are practicing their number and counting fluency. During centers, students explore their artistic abilities by drawing pictures.
For anyone visiting our room, its clear to see how engaging, fun and meaningful these iPads are to our instruction. It also allows myself to focus on small groups because I have less teacher interruptions. The iPads have truly become an integral part of our daily classroom life and I couldn't imagine how we would function without them!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Kaplowitz
Keep Calm And Read On
Funded Aug 22, 2014Thank you again for supporting my project! As soon as we received our package and before even knowing what was inside, students stated "Today is better than Christmas!" and "This is the best day ever!" We quickly took the colorful bean bags and pillows out of the boxes and found a home for them in the classroom. "Can we sit on them now?" and "Holy Moly!" were questions and comments heard around the classroom. Excitement couldn't be contained and eyes couldn't have been wider. Thank you for bringing such joy to my classroom!
By having the bean bag chairs and pillows, I have been able to provide a more cozy place for my students to read. Comfortable reading spots have led my students to find a love for reading and build their reading stamina. Additionally, the bean bags have helped to address the sensory needs of my students. When my students need a place to relax and reduce anxiety and/or nervousness or any other strong emotions, they know to use the bean bags as a calming effect. The school physical therapist has also been able to use the bean bags to provide treatment to my students without missing instruction or leaving the classroom.
Through your donation to my project, I have been able to provide an additional resource to enhance my learning environment, engage my students in reading and provide a calming area to address students' sensory and emotional needs. Thank you for making all of this possible!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Kaplowitz
This classroom project was brought to life by Gates Foundation Back To School and 7 other donors.Don't Let Social Studies and Science Feel Left Out!
Funded Aug 7, 2014Thank you again for supporting my project. As soon as we received our package and before even knowing what was inside, students stated "Today is better than Christmas!" and "This is the best day ever!" I quickly explained what was inside of the package and my students couldn't wait to listen to/read our new social studies and science books and explore the themed boxes. "Can we pick a book to read now?" and "Let's open the boxes and see what's inside!" were questions and comments heard around the classroom. Excitement couldn't be contained and eyes couldn't have been wider. Thank you for bringing such joy to my classroom!
By having these science and social studies books and themed boxes, my students had a more hands-on and engaging way to grasp important academic concepts. The children in my class learn best through music, movement, visuals and dramatic play. The resources you provided allowed my students to access a curriculum that is often too difficult for them to understand. Thank you for helping our class become experts on the five senses, seasons, family, transportation and community workers.
Through your donation to my project, I have been able to provide an additional resource to help my students enjoy and learn about the world in which they live in. Thank you for boosting my teaching and my students' learning.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Kaplowitz
And You Get An Audio Book...And You Get An Audio Book!
Funded Aug 1, 2014Thank you again for supporting my project. As soon as we received our package and before even knowing what was inside, students stated "Today is better than Christmas!" and "This is the best day ever!" I quickly explained what was inside of the package and my students couldn't wait to listen to the audio books. "Can we listen now?" and "Reading is going to be so much easier!" were questions and comments heard around the classroom. Excitement couldn't be contained and eyes couldn't have been wider. Thank you for bringing such joy to my classroom!
There are many elements of reading. Comprehension, fluency, and concepts of print are just a few. Each day, select students have the opportunity to listen to an audio book while following along with the text. By listening to the stories, my students are able to hear a fluent model of reading, enjoy their favorite books or find new books to love, and build their knowledge of story elements. Independent reading time can often become disengaging for students, but with the use of the audio books, my students are on task and focused! The best part is, they are building their reading skills without even knowing it! Thank you for helping to improve the reading within my classroom!
I love how I am able to use the audio books during independent reading time, during choice time and to teach important reading skills. Independent reading time has never been more engaging, I've never seen more students choose reading during choice time and I've seen such an improvement in reading skills. Through your donation to my project, I have been able to provide an additional resource to help students move reading levels. I've already seen growth and I know my students reading will continue to soar. Thank you for boosting my teaching and my student's learning.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Kaplowitz