Past projects 200
Getting Some Series Books
Funded Apr 28, 2017Well, to paraphrase the words of that old Alice Cooper song school is out for summer—but my kids are reading!
Your generous donation to this project meant that my kids had new books to explore (and devour) right before the end of the school year. In fact, some of them were so excited by the books that they did not want to go home for summer vacation.
My students loved having new books from their favorite series. They especially could not wait to get their hands on the new Hank the Cowdog and Babymouse books.
I was able to get paint and an old shelving unit so that my library club kids could paint it red and decorate it. In the fall, I know that my students will be so happy to see all the new books displayed on the RE(A)D BOX unit.
Thank you for your support. The library looks awesome, the books are wonderful, my students are happy--it doesn't get much better.”
With gratitude,
Ms. H.
My Kids Need to Branch Out: Beginning Chapter Books
Funded Apr 29, 2017Thank you for supporting this project so that my kids could have new some new books to read.
The forty-five books arrived before the end of the school year and I don't know what was more exciting to my kids—the new books or the fact that summer was coming.
There are fourteen different series of the Branches books and I tried to select two or three from each group just to see which would be most popular. Well, my kids loved the books—ALL the books. They rushed through them and asked for more. What could be better?
I know my kids will be reading this summer because they know what to ask for at the public library. Thank you for bringing the gift of reading to my kids.”
With gratitude,
Ms. H.
Thirty-Nine So Fine Books My Kids Need Today!
Funded Mar 29, 2017My library is over forty years old. My budget is small. My students do not have access to a public library because the one that was located across the street closed five years ago.
My kids needed access to a broad range of materials in all genres especially humorous stories, historical fiction, and fantasy. Thanks to this project, they now have new books!
The thirty-nine colorful, engaging books from this project arrived and my fifth and six grade kids were so very excited. I did not open the boxes immediately. I waited until my lunch recess group arrived. We open the boxes together and they cheered. As a group, we carefully examined the book covers, read the back blurb and tried to guess about the nature of the books.
I put all the books on the library tables. Students strolled around and tried to decide what they wanted to read first. Then they drew numbers and got to pick the book that they wanted to check out and read.
The excitement was heart-warming. Your donation made our semester. When I told my students that I was going to write a note and thank you, they insisted that I tell you that they love the Wimpy Kid, Splat the Cat, and Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer.
Thank you for all your support.”
With gratitude,
Ms. H.
This classroom project was brought to life by Aspect Ventures and 2 other donors.Spectacular After-school Science
Funded Mar 29, 2017I know because you decided to support this project that you know that Math and Science are so very important. I also have a feeling that you understand these subjects are often overlooked in elementary schools. I certainly know that our school simply does not have the money and time to teach science concepts.
That is why my library's after-school science scholar group is so important. Twice a week during the school year, I have students in grades three to six come to the library after school for enrichment activities and homework support.
I do it because I love it and feel my kids need more exposure and time to play, create and explore. Before library school, I started my undergraduate studies as a math major/physics minor and I enjoy sharing my excitement with kids. This year, I wanted to explore the planets but needed a few, up-to-date books on the planets that my students could read and take home. They also needed dictionaries that they can take home and use to explore the meaning of scientific words and concepts.
I worried that the project wasn't flashy enough to appeal to most donors but you stepped up and helped.
My kids loved reading the books and trying to learn new words and concepts. Thank you for helping them on their journey to space and beyond!”
With gratitude,
Ms. H.
This classroom project was brought to life by Overdeck Family Foundation & Simons Foundation and 3 other donors.STREAM Resources for 4th and 5th Graders
Funded Feb 18, 2017First of all, thank you for donating to this project so that my fourth and fifth graders had a chance to learn more about science, scientific theory, inventions and read biographies of creative scientists.
The twenty-six terrific books arrived. We shared some during our library classes. I have to say my favorite was Ticktock Banneker's Clock. I learned so much about Banneker's life and work. My kids were mesmerized by the book and they immediately wanted to build a clock. We are trying to get the supplies we need for next year.
The markers and art supplies were very useful. Kids used them to create and illustrate their posters. The headphones from this project meant that kids who could not afford them, had headphones to use in the library. They definitely made life more bearable –the noise level went down and students were able to concentrate on their Chromebook research.
Your support of this project enabled my students to grow. I wish you could have heard their conversations about the books and their scientists---they brought a smile to my face.”
With gratitude,
Ms. H.
This classroom project was brought to life by Stavros Niarchos Foundation and 5 other donors.Who, What, When and Where: Books With Answers
Funded Mar 29, 2017Hooray for Today!! Our Who, What, When and Where: Books With Answers Project is a reality thanks to your generosity. My students are so delighted you chose to fund our project.
The books have all arrived and my students cannot stop reading and talking about them. Some titles even have long waiting lists.
My kids have their favorite books like You Wouldn't Want To Live Without Poop!; You Wouldn't Want to Live Without Toilets!; You Wouldn't Want To Live Without Boogers! Who Were The Three Stooges? ; and Who Was King Tut? I admit that I have learned a lot about some interesting topics while checking the books in and out.
I am setting up a Jeopardy-type game which I am calling What Did You Learn Before You Came to School? My kids will form teams and try to answer questions about the books. The initial meetings will be during lunch but the final competition will be before the entire school. This project is inspiring all my students no matter their reading level or ability to want to read and discuss books!
Thank you for supporting this project and bringing excitement to the library.”
With gratitude,
Ms. H.
This classroom project was brought to life by Aspect Ventures and 7 other donors.Can You Hear Me Now? A Listening Center
Funded Mar 29, 2017Thank you for supporting this project.
My kids were so excited and grateful when the Listening Center, Portable Compact Disc Player, Favorite Stories Read-Along Book set, speakers and headphones arrived. It was like Christmas.
As the library media specialist at a small, urban elementary school, I struggle every day to provide learning opportunities to all my students. My school is an old school and has limited resources. Although many of my students have limited access to technology, they are still expected to be successful readers, writers, and producers of presentations.
I have used the materials from this project to set up a self-help listening center where kids can listen to stories during their daily reading intervention time. It is amazing to see how my at-risk students love to listen to stories. Every day they gravitate to the center, select a book to share. They are developing their vocabulary, reading, pronunciation skills and it is awesome to watch.
Your donation has opened new reading opportunities for my K-2 graders.”
With gratitude,
Ms. H.
This classroom project was brought to life by Aspect Ventures and one other donor.All Tech-ed Out & Ready to Learn
Funded Mar 29, 2017The two HP Chromebooks with the Google Chrome OS Management console licenses, Hamilton boom box/listening center and class set of Maxwell ear buds have arrived and I immediately set up a tech lab in our media center/ library where all my students can work.
The tech lab is a tremendous addition to our library because now my kids can work on improving their reading, writing and research skills before, after or during school time. They are also working on developing their boarding skills. These 21st century skills are essential. My kids need to keyboard so they can take their state mandated tests and just simply survive and thrive at school.
My kids live in a world filled with technology that many of them were not able to use—they did not have access to it. Your donation has helped to avert a tragedy.
Thank you!”
With gratitude,
Ms. H.
This classroom project was brought to life by Aspect Ventures and one other donor.STEAMING up the Skys: Space Exploration for 3rd Graders
Funded Mar 17, 2017Thank you so much for your support. The books about the planets, the IPEVO Document camera system with the whiteboard extension and the papier mache have arrived. My budding third grade scientists are so very excited.
They have formed research teams and are using the books and the Internet to find out the facts for their report. All the kids have learned how to use the document camera to display the pictures and text to the rest of the class. They all agree that it is "awesome". Soon they will be using the papier mache to create their planet.
All of this learning (and excitement about science) would not have been possible without you and your donation. On behalf of my students, thank you for caring.”
With gratitude,
Ms. H.
This classroom project was brought to life by Stavros Niarchos Foundation and 6 other donors.The Essentials: Snacks and Lice Spray
Funded Mar 24, 2017The resources for this project have arrived and I am overjoyed! Thank you all so very much.
The snacks have made a real difference with my students. As one child told me, I now have something yummy for my tummy. It seems like my afterschool bunch are always hungry because they have lunch around 11:30, the fruit snacks and crackers give them something to munch on while they do their homework. These small snacks mean that they can concentrate on their school work.
The Boo! Spray is perfect. It is nontoxic to humans but it keeps the lice population at bay.
Once again, on behalf of all of my students, thank you.”
With gratitude,
Ms. H.
This classroom project was brought to life by Life Essentials Supporters and 8 other donors.