Ms. Makena's Classroom Edit display name

Current requests

Past projects 8

• Journaling Can Change Your Life and Support Your Mental Health.

  Funded Aug 14, 2024

  Thank you so much for making this journaling project happen! We have introduced the journals and I have to say, it's been a really powerful project. Students have ben collaging in their journals, writing about their day or their feelings, using prompts that I give the class, and printing photos to put in their journal.

  It was really cool to be able to tell them that this was their fancy pen to keep, and there were even a few left over for some of my students who lost their pen. Also, some of my students lost their journal and I was able to give them an extra one as well. Someone's friend even came into our room asking if they could have a journal as well, it was so great to be able to share this practice with so many different students.

  Students literally ask for journaling time! It is very cool to see such a small practice make such a big impact. I think having such cool supplies has definitely made a difference for my students as they explore this mental health strategy and support. Thank you again!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Makena

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

• Back To School And Ready For Success!

  Funded Aug 14, 2024

  You make our classroom run. Seriously. Thank you so much for supporting students and their learning!

  I am starting my 2nd year of teaching after 7 years of being an instructional assistant and I am SO excited. I can’t wait to begin learning with my students in a few short weeks. I really love teaching and love making sure that all their needs are met in my classroom. I couldn’t do that without your support! Seriously, it means so much.

  I am so excited to have calculators in my classroom to support my students learning and ability to do their homework in my class. They are so fun and cute I know it will make them smile even if math usually makes them frown.

  Likewise, these fidgets are the ones many of my students used during the school year to get them Thru anxious or stressful settings, and being able to replace them is huge!

  My study skills classroom is a hub for teaching students how to become organized and successful in their classes; the notebooks and organizers etc really help us trial different organizational systems and find ones that work. Thank you for making difficult tasks easier Thru these supports. I know it will help continue grown for my students as well as behavioral and academic success.

  Thank you from all of us!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Makena

  This classroom project was brought to life by The Gates Foundation and 2 other donors.

• When We Are Fed We Can Learn!

  Funded Aug 14, 2024

  Wow! Thank you so much for making sure my students have snacks and food during the school day and for long weekends. I really appreciate your support and belief in my students.

  Last year I believed that students should have food available to them - not as a reward, but available if they were hungry and I saw first hand how important it was and how it kept them calm, created school relationships and allowed them to focus.

  In 2021 I made a choice to eat school food at work and experienced the hungry and snack-y feeling through the day that students who eat school lunch feel. Many of my students are in free and reduced lunch and don’t have the option to just bring a different meal or additional snacks. This project allows them to still have a different instant meal or snack if they are still hungry. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for making this possible for me.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Makena

  This classroom project was brought to life by The Gates Foundation and 5 other donors.

• Snacks Keep High School Students Focused!

  Funded Feb 26, 2024

  Thank you so much for helping me care for my students! It has been such an honor to be able to offer them snacks and food throughout the day when they are hungry. Teenagers are ALWAYS hungry and its so great to be able to give them all the goodies that this project had. They specifically love ramen, popcorn, tunafish and crackers, and beef jerky.

  Your kindness has made it possible to provide essential snacks and nourishment to students, ensuring they have the energy and focus they need to excel both academically and personally. It's wild how something as seemingly small as a snack can have such a significant impact on a student's day. With your help, we're not just providing food; we're providing fuel for success.

  Statistics show that access to nutritious snacks can greatly enhance cognitive function, concentration, and overall well-being among students. It's not just about satisfying hunger; it's about empowering our students to reach their full potential. Your support directly contributes to creating a positive and nurturing environment where every student can thrive.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Makena

• We Want to Learn Through Art

  Funded Aug 29, 2023

  Thank you so much for all of your generosity and care. While I know many of you, some donated even though you've never met me. Thank you so much to each and every one of you.

  My students have loved incorporating art into their every day life. We do a lot of projects with the materials you got us, brain break activities where they can explore a medium they have never used before.

  Almost daily I have had a student use the clay, pastels, or watercolors during advisory or during our study skills classes. Thank you for making that an option! I know you know how important access to art materials is, so thank you for making that happen. I have a student especially who has loved using the clay and it's been so awesome to see everything that she's created!!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Makena

  This classroom project was brought to life by The SONIC Foundation and 16 other donors.

• Focus Tools & Calm Down Items for Success!

  Funded Aug 2, 2023

  Thank you so much for all the supplies! Over the last few months I have seen my students really utilize the visual timers, fidgets, and other learning tools. They are asking to check them out and bring them to their other classes; they also share them with their friends to help them succeed too. I am so grateful for belief in me and my students. Thank you so much!

  The games are so awesome to be able to provide fun days, learning social rules and situations / navigating conflict safely, as well as breaks when needed. Thank you!!

  I hope you know what a big impact you made for my first year as a teacher! Thank you for the support!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Makena

  This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 16 other donors.

• Fuel The School Year!

  Funded Aug 2, 2023

  Thank you so much for making my first year as a classroom teacher so successful! I know that I've said this before, but your faith in me moving from paraeducator (SPED Instructional Assistant) to classroom teacher has meant the world to me. Thank you so much for believing in me, and my students!

  My students especially loved the hot takis and cup of noodles, and macaroni cheese cups. Honestly, they loved it all!! It's been so nice to have different snacks to offer my students when they're hungry, or as a way to bond as a community. Thank you so much for making this possible!

  We often use snacks to give us energy at the start of the day before we get into the bulk of our work. In study skills we work on real life goals such as resume, cover letter, buying a car, renting your first apartment; as well as getting small group assistance on their general education classes that they might need extra help with. It makes doing not so fun work, a little more fun.

  At the end of the day after our humanities class, my students often have a long commute home and appreciate a snack on the way out the door.

  You've helped make our class a community. Thank you so much!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Makena

  This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 9 other donors.

• Support Our Social Emotional Learning

  Funded Nov 29, 2022

  Thank you so much for supporting our social emotional learners!

  I used the yoga and breathing card decks during explicit teaching of calm down strategies for my students. We used the scented material as a way to take a break during academic work when needed.

  The kids were so excited as everything came in, it was so much fun! And they loved the zoob engineering toys so much. It was so cool to see their creativity!

  As a new teacher(currently this year I'm student teaching) it's so cool to have had my first donors choose be completed, it really made me feel like people believed in me and my ability to move from paraprofessional to certified teacher. Thank you for being a part of that!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Makena

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