Past projects 3
Learning Good Hygiene Skills
Funded Sep 13, 2022I just wanted to personally reach out and explain what a difference your donation made for the students in my classroom. We had a month-long unit on hygiene where we learned how to take care of our bodies. To start off the unit I explained what we were going to learn and then showed them all of the cool materials we were going to use for science experiments and to have to use in the classroom. They shrieked and covered their mouths in excitement with each new item and were so excited to get to use them.
Each of the items really made our learning so much more hands on and fun for my students. Here are some of the highlights
Glow germ: One of the first things we discussed was germs, and how hand washing is one of the best ways to keep germs out of our bodies. After reading and learning about germs and handwashing, we did our own experiments so students could see for themselves how quick germs spread and how important it is to wash our hands properly. Some experiments we did were comparing washing our hands for 5 seconds vs 20 seconds, scrubbing our hands while washing vs not scrubbing, and using soap vs not using soap. We used black lights to illuminate the glow germ to imitate real germs and the students observed and drew what they saw. Students were able to realize for themselves how important it is to not only wash hands but wash them properly.
Toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, timers, and plaque disclosing tablets: Similarly to learning about germs and washing our hands, we learned about cavities, plaque and brushing our teeth. Then, students practiced how to properly brush their teeth because they were able to see what is actually left behind on their teeth when they brush. We practiced brushing our teeth and then we did experiments that taught students how to properly brush our teeth using the plaque disclosing tablets. We did experiments like toothpaste vs no toothpaste and 20 seconds vs 2 minutes. Students were in awe of how important it is to brush our teeth properly to keep them healthy. We also keep all of these items in the classroom and students have them available to use if they need to brush their teeth when they get to school.
Deodorant: Part of our unit also discussed the changes students' bodies are going through. Part of this was a discussion about using deodorant. Students now get to keep their own deodorant in school, so they are able to use it whenever they feel it is necessary.
Thank you so much for making a difference in my students' education. Your donation helped them to look forward to hands on science activities that are not only academic but so important for their development.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Guthrie
This classroom project was brought to life by Amazon.com, Inc. and one other donor.Executive FUNctioning
Funded Jan 28, 2022Our students were sooo excited to receive "presents" during their advisory blocks. As advisory teachers were pulling out the different items, they got more and more excited. The students were so delighted to see all of the new materials and also to get to learn how they would be able to use them.
So many of the students are keeping track of their homework, afterschool events, and testing days in their agenda books that we made with the mini binders! In one of the photos, you can see the pages we made and printed that go in their binders (we like to call them reminder binders). The pencil cases have been a life saver because they have made it so students not only have a pencil on them but also highlighters, colored pens and sticky notes to help them color code while taking notes, annotating, editing, scheduling and so much more! They also used the pen holders to attach to their binder agendas so that they always have a pen ready when they need to write down their reminders.
As we continue through our advisory, students are going to learn even more strategies to help them stay organized using the materials they got. Students' advisors are frequently checking in to see how they can help. We are discussing common middle school mismanagement dilemmas (such as forgetting about a test or misplacing assignments) and how we can use different strategies to manage this with our new materials.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Guthrie
Tablets to Team Up With Teaching
Funded Aug 21, 2020Unfortunately, our district's COVID numbers are among the highest in the state so we are unable to be in the school building. However, we have been able to brainstorm all of the ways we are anticipating using the tablets once we are back in the school building. Once we are back in the classroom, we are very excited to have additional devices that can access the internet and that are easy to sanitize. I anticipate that the tablets will be used as a technology center where they are able to practice the skills that they are learning in math in versions of different games. A website that we have been enjoying online is math playground, and that will be an option for them to do on the tablets. The tablets will also be used to track student growth by giving the students google forms to complete that will make sure they are remembering skills that they have learned in the part.
Although my students have not gotten to use the tablets, I have told them all about them. One of the things they are most excited about with the tablets is that they can use them around the classroom. They don't have to sit on the back wall all crammed around the few desktops that we have, instead they can find a comfortable place around the classroom to do their work. The tablets will also be more reliable than the desktop computers that we have in the classroom, which often do not work. Additionally, they are really excited to get to use a tablet because a lot of the applications require a tablet to play certain games.
My students are so excited to eventually get back into the physical classroom. They know that even when we get back in the classroom, things will be very different because of COVID. My students are really looking forward to using the tablets and I think it will be something that will help make coming into the classroom even more exciting. Thank you so much for helping to make this possible!
Here are a list of some websites/resources we are excited to do with the tablets
-chatterpix
-popplet
-Khan Academy kids
-raz kids”
With gratitude,
Ms. Guthrie
This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 9 other donors.