Past projects 3
Loving the Literary Classics
Funded Oct 23, 2022I truly appreciate your donation so that I was able to purchase book club sets of literary classics. During our third quarter, we study the literary classics with a focus on Peter Pan. Literary classics have complex text and refer to many items, events, and cultural practices that are no longer relevant to today's children. This can make these texts, regardless of reading and engagement levels, difficult for a third grader to comprehend. The best way to increase this type of comprehension is to read MORE literary classics! The more they are exposed to different language, vocabulary, and historical events, the more references they have to refer to as they read new literary classics.
In my classroom, we use a scripted reading program that covers one topic per quarter. It is useful for the kids to have many books to support their background knowledge of that topic. Your book donations have assisted me in doing just that. I try to engage reading for enjoyment whenever possible; so having a selection of book club books for the children to choose from increased their engagement during this quarter. I love to watch them curl up in a corner, under a table, or even outside our classroom window with a good book.
Once again, I appreciate your support and look forward to utilizing these texts for years to come.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Olynick
This classroom project was brought to life by Seed to Read and 2 other donors.Boogie Into Third Grade With Alternative Writing Tools
Funded May 29, 2020When I initially wrote this grant, I had intended the tablets to be for in classroom use. However, as Covid-19 all but shut down our educational system, I have been flexible in my use of the student materials. Students are using these tablet both in and out of the classroom setting. When all students eventually return to the building they will be for in classroom use.
The tablets are giving students an additional way to show their understanding. Students use the tablets to write responses to questions, doodle their thoughts and ideas, and organize information. It has been a wonderful movement away from whiteboards, the waste that they create, and a great new novelty!
Students who love to Doodle while listening are really enjoying the tablets. Some students like to Doodle and research has found that doodling can activate the brain. I feel that giving these students an additional tool to use has been extremely beneficial.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Olynick
This classroom project was brought to life by SONIC Drive-In and 13 other donors.Bye Bye Worksheets, Hello Student Engagement!
Funded Oct 6, 2019Since the beginning of this quarter, my students have been thoroughly enjoying the materials that you helped to purchase. I have been most impressed with the collaboration and teamwork I have been seeing while they spend weeks on end working on the complex puzzles. It makes it even better that the puzzles directly go with the topics we are learning in class!
Since the beginning of the school year I have been implementing a "soft opening" as the students enter the classroom. They were allowed to read, draw, play with Play-Doh; but quickly these activities were getting tiresome and I was struggling to find new ways to engage them. Having puzzles, games and hands-on materials for them to find each morning has made a huge difference. It is so fun to see their smiles and excitement when a new activity is put out for them to enjoy!
Each quarter I will be putting out new materials for them to use. Each time I see their faces light up I will think of all the donors who helped to make my classroom environment more engaging and inviting for all my students!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Olynick