Past projects 8
Building Plant Terraniums in the School Library
Funded May 9, 2024Building the plant terrariums with the students has been such a rewarding experience. My Library Squad helped to mix various soil components and place them in the glass jars. Then they selected rocks and sticks to build the landscape. The plants were placed inside along with the moss I picked up. The students finished off the landscape by adding various figurines of their choice. The finished terrariums look beautiful.
We discussed how the plant terrariums work and how to maintain internal temperature to ensure a healthy ecosystem. Students take care of the terraniums by spritzing water inside every few days. Students and adults that visited the libraries are always curious about how the plants can thrive inside a glass enclosure.
Overall, this has been a great experience for everyone. It was a win-win situation. The library is made more welcoming by the terraniums. Students learned about how plant ecosystems work and how to take care of the terrariums. Many visitors ask questions about the plants which may lead to conversations about diverse topics. I am grateful for your generous support to make this project a reality.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Choong
This classroom project was brought to life by Young Sheldon on CBS and 9 other donors.Multi-Discipline Study Guides for Middle School Library
Funded Oct 4, 2024This generous donation has given our diverse students an opportunity to strengthen their multi-discipline skills in social studies, mathematics, science, and English language arts. They poured over the posters to learn about notable African Americans, ancient civilizations, important documents from US history, and US government. The MLA Guidelines manual is available to support students in their citation work. The books and guides are now in the library to be used as reference materials (and, sometimes, checked out of the library as needed).
Students who were studying for the SHSAT (Specialized High School Achievement Test) were able to utilize the books to practice for the tests. Groups of students spent their lunch periods daily studying and discussing the questions. It was a sight to behold. Those students told me that they felt more confident after having perused through the practice tests and discussing the questions them with their friends. The test results will come out in March of 2025. I have no doubt that the donated study guides truly boosted the students' autonomy and self-efficacy. Thank you so much for your kindness in funding this project.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Choong
This classroom project was brought to life by SONIC Foundation and 3 other donors.Aspirational School Library
Funded Sep 19, 2024I am truly grateful for your generous donations to help us maintain the school library. The double-sided tape, book holders and brochure/flyer stand were put to immediate use.
I was able to create displays, put up posters, and attach signage with the double-sided tape. It immediately brightens up the space. The brochure/flyer stand was used to hold several flyers such as the Queens Public Library Card application form, the Reading Young Adult Books permission slip, and Library Squad sign-up form. The book holders were used to temporarily place books that will be given away to students who completed the Summer 2024 Reading Program. The holders will also be used for Book Swap events and to display books that are in series formats.
Your kind donation really helps to make the library a more welcoming environment, a more versatile space, and a more useful community for our scholars and staff.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Choong
This classroom project was brought to life by Charles Schwab Foundation and 3 other donors.Library Lunch Time Puzzle Fun
Funded Mar 24, 2024What a great impact something as simple as puzzle mats have on our students' inclination to assemble jigsaw puzzles together. Previously, students were unwilling to complete puzzles during their lunch periods because there was no way of saving them for the following days. They do love to do puzzles but refrained out of the frustration of not being able to go to the finish line due to time limitations.
With the generous gift of puzzle mats, more students are engaging in puzzle completion and have great fun learning about how to store puzzles using the mats. The wonder on their faces is priceless. It is tremendously satisfying to see students working as a team, meeting new school mates, and strategizing on the best way to proceed. Their constant laughter always makes my day. Students also strengthened their knowledge of world and U.S. geography as they put together the map puzzles that were part of the donation. This is a subtle, yet effective, way of helping students to learn geography.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Choong
Reading More Initiative
Funded Mar 31, 2023Thank you so much for your thoughtful donation to help support our reading initiatives. The students were so excited to see several piles of new books purchased with your donations and place on tables when they came into the library. I told them that these books were donated by generous donors who believe in them and in their lifelong pursuit of learning. They relayed their heartfelt thanks and appreciation and promptly sat down to explore and read the books.
Receiving lunch passes to the library are like winning the lotto, according to students and the staff. Students visit the library as often as they can during other periods with a teacher's pass or as a class visit. These high-interest books will be well utilized by our happy students for years to come.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Choong
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 7 other donors.Cricut Maker for Middle School Library Cross-Discipline Projects
Funded Sep 20, 2022The Cricut machine has been a phenomenal addition to the library, and just in time too. I was able to use it to create materials for the Winter Door Contest. Several students helped me with completing the door just in time for the holidays. It was a huge undertaking as the display covered several walls and two sets of doors. I've received many compliments from the staff and students alike.
I have been developing plans for bulletin boards and displays and will be utilizing the Cricut machine to create unique designs that will really help to make the library more welcoming and visually inviting. I am also hoping to engage our student body to work on fun projects that are diverse and inclusive.
Your generosity and kindness are truly a blessing and much appreciated. Know that your contribution was put to great use.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Choong
This classroom project was brought to life by Con Edison and 11 other donors.Basic Supplies for Middle School Library
Funded Aug 12, 2022Your generous gift of basic supplies for the library was incredibly helpful in allowing me to complete simple to more complex projects. With the laminator and laminating sheets, I was able to create, print and laminate signs and graphics that were used throughout the library. They include library and borrowing rules, librarian status door signs, window displays and bulletin board displays. I was also able to create genre signs that are part of my genre study lessons.
Supplies such as the stapler, hole puncher, staple remover, as well as shelf dividers made my job so much easier. I have been giving book marks as incentives for students in class and the students strive to do their best in order to earn a book mark.
I am truly grateful for your support and kindness. Our kids are the future and we need to do all we can to support them.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Choong
This classroom project was brought to life by Bill Gates and 11 other donors.Middle School Lunchtime Board Games
Funded Jun 29, 2022Students were so excited when they heard that they will have opportunities to play board games during lunch. The library lunch passes became the hottest tickets in town and the board game buzz spread far and wide.
When the students first came in to check out the games, they could not believe that they got to open the wrapping of the games and smelled the new board game scent!! In short, they were ecstatic. They quickly filled up the sign-up sheet and proceeded to bring the games to the tables to start playing. Friendships were made and laughters ensued.
We hope to build on the current game collection. We plan to do a quick survey to gauge their interest in the currents games and to explore what other games we could add. We hope to train game ambassadors to support students during game time. Your generous donation brought so much joy and laughter to the students.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Choong