Past projects 5
We're Quackers for Topple Blocks
Funded Oct 3, 2022We are using the Topple Blocks for all sorts of activities in the classroom. The activity students are most excited about is working on their multiplication facts using the Topple Blocks to help them.
The quackers and rubber ducks have been the most successful positive behavior incentives! Each week, I draw from a bag of positive behavior tickets students have earned through the week. I choose 2-3 students, who come up and spin our wheel. If they land on a duck, they get to choose and keep one of the rubber ducks on display. If they land on a quack, all the kids get to use their quackers. It's a win win either way, because everyone is involved, eager to show expected behaviors in school, and participate in this incentive.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Cushing
All in Our Places - Flexible Seating Options!
Funded Sep 26, 2022A million thanks for your donations! We were able to purchase 12 soft, comfy flexible seating options that the kids LOVE! These cushions allow students to make choices to learn in a location and environment that works best for them so they can do their very best work. My kids were thrilled to help me unpack the boxes and love to choose the bright, colorful seats during reader's workshop and other activities. We can't thank you enough for providing us with more options for flexible seating for our classroom!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Cushing
This classroom project was brought to life by The Allstate Foundation and one other donor.Making The Case For Books
Funded Sep 24, 2022Where to start? Our classroom library was so overwhelmed with books--and that's a good thing; but, we had run out of space to store and organize them all. Now, with our new bookcases, I have been able to add about 100 new books to our library with space for more as we acquire them! Now, my students have more shopping options when they look for "just right" books and can more easily find what they're looking for. They are so excited to spend more time reading--something they LOVE to do, already.
We can't thank you enough for getting more books into the hands of students and help them grow their reading!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Cushing
This classroom project was brought to life by The Allstate Foundation and 6 other donors.Meet, Greet, Laugh, and Learn!
Funded Sep 18, 2022The first day my student met for our mini lesson on our brand new carpet, they were brimming with excitement. "This is so much better than the cold floor," one of them said. Without the carpet, students were normally spread far and across the room. However, having this focal point for our learning has already allowed the students to feel more connected. They can more easily turn and talk to one another to share ideas; they are closer to me as I teach, which is beneficial to everyone!
While students are working independently, the new rug is another "flexible seating" option for kids who don't want to sit at their desks. They can lie on their stomachs and read comfortably or sit and partner share with a buddy.
Apart from being excited to have the colorful rug in our classroom, my students BEG to vacuum it at the end of the day. So, the rug has the added benefit of teaching them to be responsible for our classroom property.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Cushing
Stories Are Light
Funded Dec 14, 2020Since this project was so generously fully funded, my students, both past and current, have benefitted from the additional reading resources in our classroom. As I originally said in my proposal for this project, there is no substitute for putting books in the hands of students, and this project did just that. It allowed students to better work in book clubs where they grew their understanding of text by sharing with each other.
The project also filled holes in my classroom library where I needed more of a certain genre or reading level. Students are most excited about having more books to choose from and more high interest books available to them. I was also able to get more just right books for some of my struggling readers, who often find it hard to locate books at their level that don't feel "babyish" to them.
We've so been enjoying our new class library additions!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Cushing