Ms. Castro's Classroom Edit display name

Past projects 31

• Sound Partners for Tutoring

  Funded Sep 13, 2024

  I can't begin to describe how impactful these resources have been in my classroom but I will give it a try! This year has been one of the most academically challenging years I have had in my teaching career but now I can proudly say that my students have made amazing growth and are proficient in reading. They're readers! The tutoring kid from Sound partners has made helping my students very streamlined, I can pull the lesson I need and very quickly give a small group the intervention they need. Thank you for making this possible.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Castro

  This classroom project was brought to life by An Anonymous Supporter and one other donor.

• Snacks for 1st

  Funded Jan 19, 2025

  Thank you for your generosity and you support of public education. You are making a world of difference for the students in my classroom. My students will be so excited to have yummy snacks for snack time! But most importantly, thank you for providing a basic meal for my students that will help them keep learning in 1st grade!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Castro

• Headphones for 1st Graders

  Funded Oct 23, 2024

  Thank you for making such a huge difference in my students use of technology. Once we got the headphones we put them to use right away. Now our center times have been running more smoothly and quietly. I especially like how we organized the headphones and labeled everything. From baggies to the actual headphones. Now I can quickly ask individual students for put their headphones away when I find them around the classroom. Instead of the endless asking "who do these belong to?" And the choral response "not me." Thank you for making it possible to have these headphones in my first grade classroom.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Castro

• Popcorn Party!

  Funded Aug 25, 2024

  Thank you for making our classroom popcorn party a possibility. My students worked really hard to earn each puzzle piece and get to the popcorn party. We had a great time. Some kids had never tasted natural popcorn and they said it was delicious and better than the microwave version. I am also very excited because we have enough for another party. The best part was that there was plenty for students to enjoy. They were also happy to be able to have 2 juice pouches to go along with their popcorn. Thank you for your generosity.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Castro

• 1st Grade Organization

  Funded Aug 14, 2024

  Thank you for your generosity and support for my students and for my classroom. We have used the zip pouches to store student's headphones and the labels to put their number. Since a bucket on top of the technology cart wasn't working, this has made a huge difference in how our classroom looks and personal responsibility. Another huge addition has been the compact baskets for turning in work. This has helped students know exactly where their completed work goes. Starting these little routines early will help students beyond the classroom.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Castro

  This classroom project was brought to life by The Gates Foundation and one other donor.

• Compassion Through Restorative Conferences

  Funded Jun 6, 2024

  Thank you for your support and for providing my classroom with resources and materials for my students to learn more about compassion, kindness, empathy, and how to resolve conflict.

  The books have been my most valuable resource since my new class has many things to learn about what compassion is and what it looks like in practice.

  By far the most exciting thing is the modular couch that is now living in our classroom library corner. This is a place where students can go to have a moment to calm down and then to have a restorative conversation. It's comfy and inviting so students are encouraged to go and talk about what happened. We extend a huge thank you for these materials and opportunities.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Castro

  This classroom project was brought to life by The Compassion Project and one other donor.

• Library and Calming Corner in One!

  Funded May 22, 2024

  Thank you for making the calming corner of my dreams come true. The best part? That my first grade students have already utilized the area to calm down from big emotions, rest after being outside in the heat, and also to play a little as an incentive for getting work done.

  The most popular items are the sensory toys and the expandable sphere that can be used for breathing exercises.

  I especially like the new rug that brings the area together and the emotions posters. Students have been using the posters to write the words that matches their feelings. All of these materials have been great additions to our classroom and they are deeply appreciated.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Castro

  This classroom project was brought to life by An Anonymous Supporter and one other donor.

• Materials Keeping The Class Running

  Funded May 28, 2024

  Thank you for your support for my first grade classroom. I am so deeply excited and grateful about beginning the year with essential materials that I would have otherwise had to buy. I have already replaced batteries, refilled my color printer, passed out plastic baggies as school "wallets", mopped the floor for Curriculum Night, and handed out candy as incentives. Thank you for making it possible.

  My students have also really enjoyed having the rolling cart which we have been using to keep snacks. This easy to use cart helps students be independent about choosing their snack and keeping our classroom organized.

  Other items we have used a lot of has been the bandaids, the Kleenex, the tape, and the pencil sharpener. Thank you for your support and generosity.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Castro

  This classroom project was brought to life by Quill.com and one other donor.

• Accommodations With Flexible Seating

  Funded May 20, 2024

  This new school year I have a robust group of first graders. We have had a great start of the year and I have already seen how useful the variety of different types of flexible seating options have been.

  My students were so excited during meet the teacher when they saw the different seats. And on the first day when they were so attentive when we went over the rules and procedures for using our different seat options. They have served the dual purpose of being a fun addition to our classroom and also providing a differentiated experience for students who struggle to sit and work or sit and pay attention. Thank you for your support for my classroom and this project.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Castro

  This classroom project was brought to life by Oak Foundation and one other donor.

• Tie Dye Shirts

  Funded May 20, 2024

  Thank you for your support and for providing my class with a way of engaging in a hands on project where they can be creative. I am also very grateful that my students will be able to keep these tie dye shirts for themselves as a first grade memory for many years. Families were very impressed with this project as well. Hands on project like this one gives students the opportunity to experience something that they may never have before. Thank you for your support and for making this tie dye project a possibility for my Firsties.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Castro

  This classroom project was brought to life by An Anonymous Supporter and one other donor.