Past projects 29
How do Primate Skulls Measure Up?
Funded Aug 26, 2024This has been such a fun project. I have a small collection of skull replicas that students examine during our unit on Early Humans. We measure and compare skulls from Neanderthal, Australopithecus, Homo sapien, and now - Chimpanzee!
The kids are fascinated with just being able to see beneath the skin to examine the bones and the teeth. We learn a lot about anatomy and raise so many questions based on what we see. What are these teeth for? Why is there a hole in the bottom? How do we know if it was bipedal? How does brain size compare?
Thank you for making this possible. This is a popular lab that the students will remember for years to come.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Fields
Clean Kids Can Be Confident
Funded Aug 16, 2024Your generosity is so appreciated! This hygiene station is a regular stop for some of my students that want to look and feel their best. At first, students are curious when they see the signage that says, "Take what you need." A few of them ask if they can take things. After a while, students become familiar that it is a resource they don't need to ask about. I check it once or twice a week and restock from the cupboard. Hairbrushes and combs go fast. Deodorant and tissues are the next most popular. Many students thank me for having this resource. I tell them it was donated from Donors Choose. We thank you for making it possible to have these things available to my students.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Fields
This classroom project was brought to life by The Gates Foundation and 6 other donors.Help My Students Fight Allergens With a HEPA Air Filter
Funded Aug 8, 2024Our classroom is in a portable between a parking lot and the dirt running track. It's amazing how much dirt, dust and pollen becomes part of our classroom. When it's rainy, and there are up to 40 bodies breathing the same air, it becomes humid and feels really unhealthy.
This new air purifier gives us the confidence that we are breathing cleaner air and keeping ourselves healthier. With this Puroair air purifier, we can weather the impurities in comfort. It's powerful, quiet and smart. It has a sensor that increases its speed, depending on the air quality.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Fields
Creative Communication Can Create Compassionate Kids
Funded Jun 6, 2024The students are so excited to have this project funded. I have some really compassionate students, and this is giving them an opportunity to show their compassion for others. They like the positive messages and can't wait to start creating cards to spread kindness and understanding.
Some examples of the students perspective on compassion: Speak with kindness. Apologize when you've made a mistake. Listen carefully and without judgment. Encourage other people. Offer to help someone with a task. Be happy for someone else's success. Accept people for who they are. Forgive people for making mistakes.
Giving up a seat to a pregnant woman, being polite to retail workers, helping your friend move, taking a second to listen at work.
The Kindness Card mailbox and card-making station is set up on my bookshelf for students to help themselves to, and we will devote some class time to brainstorming messages and identifying people who need to be shown compassion.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Fields
This classroom project was brought to life by The Compassion Project and one other donor.How Did Medieval Africa Grow Rich Selling Salt?
Funded Apr 11, 2024There are so many reasons that we are grateful for your help in funding this project. Our study of Africa in the Middle Ages has been an interesting pursuit of an underrepresented history. These books broaden our research and provide multiple perspectives of North African civilizations. I use the big maps during lecture. I run around the room from one to the other, pointing out the geography whenever something related to Africa comes up.
Yesterday, in a different lesson, Nigeria was mentioned, and I ran to the map. It really helps to have a large visual, because world maps get lost in the details.
Students also love the magnetic animal wildlife map puzzle of Africa. It's a simple enough map that it doesn't take very long for a few students working together to complete it. Still, they will try it again and again another day.
Thank you again. This project means a lot to us.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Fields
This classroom project was brought to life by A Northern California Family and 2 other donors.Hands-On Recycling Paper to Save the Earth
Funded Apr 22, 2024Throughout the year, my students study history of civilization from the Stone Age to the Enlightenment. Throughout that time, paper has been a significant medium of sharing ideas and building on the past. Being able to explore the history of paper, makes for a deeper understanding.
The paper recycling bins will help the students feel involved in our modern class room consciousness of humans impact on the earth. Once the students saw an opportunity to recycle things, the bins filled up quickly. Some things we recycled were paper, but we also repurposed it for reusable school supplies and technology at the end of the year.
One of the most exciting parts of this is the ability to make our own paper with the papermaking frames. I think they will be surprised at how easy it is to make paper from old recycled paper, but also surprised at papers connection to plant materials.
Donors like you keep our classroom going. We really appreciate all you do, and you made this possible.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Fields
This classroom project was brought to life by An Anonymous Supporter and one other donor.Say Yes to the Best Test
Funded May 17, 2024Thank you so much for helping us purchase these test taking supplies. We have our first test of the year this week and students will be comforted by these tools. In the weeks up to the test, students have found a means of escape by using the headphones to block out other noises from the classroom. The timers have helped us practice focus and transitions by being mindful of how much time we are spending on something. It's a delicate balance to be aware of the time, without being paralyzed by deadline. It takes practice, and by having these tools in the classroom, deadlines are less scary.
The test anxiety book is a fun book that helps the students walk through their feelings, but also provides strategies to feel empowered. We want confident testtakers, because they are better able to show what they are capable of.
Finally, the set of desk dividers will provide privacy to students who need an extra level of focus. During a test, it can be distracting to see other students on different problems. Even when we are not taking tests, some students dictate their writing to the computer. I have an English learner who speaks his language into a translating app, so we can communicate to each other. He will be using the divider to block out extra noise.
Thank you again. This project means a lot to us.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Fields
This classroom project was brought to life by An Anonymous Supporter and 2 other donors.Writing Systems Fun from Cuneiform Clay to Hieroglyphic Paper
Funded May 7, 2024We are so grateful for your generosity. This is a fun project that students look forward to and they remember from year to year. The students balance their creativity with trying to match the rules of the ancient process of cuneiform and hieroglyphics. When they first get the clay, they wanted to squish it and play with it and turn it into things. Then we got down to business and they gave it their best effort to poke the clay with toothpicks to make writing like the ancient Mesopotamians. This is part of our unit on the ancient world and how civilizations communicated and recorded things that were important.
Hieroglyphics can be challenging, but seeing it in a colorful sample document really got the kids excited about being able to create something like historic ancient Egypt.
Thank you so much for giving us this opportunity.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Fields
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 2 other donors.Skulls for School Connect Body Systems to History
Funded Apr 10, 2024Thank you so much for your contribution to this exciting project. The students buzzed with excitement at the presence of skulls in the classroom. I combined these replica modern human skulls with that of a Neanderthal and an Australopithecus skull and gave them a checklist of questions to make observations and comparisons. They are looking at similarities and differences in the face, the teeth and the overall shape of the skull.
It's really amazing how something hands-on like this inspires questions. They want to touch it. They want to pick it up. They want to ask what it is, and how it relates to them. These are all the questions that lay the groundwork for retaining knowledge.
We have studied early hominids and now they have a chance to hold some tangible evidence. Furthermore, they are developing skills in taking measurements and recording data. They use calipers to examine the details of the skulls. This gives them a moment to pause and look at things they might otherwise overlook. These are skills they will use in observations and descriptions for other parts of their life.
This is a lab we will do year after year, leaving a lasting impression on sixth-graders thirsty for knowledge.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Fields
Australopithecus Africanus the Early Hominin
Funded Mar 1, 2024Thank you so much for your contribution to this exciting project. The students buzzed with excitement at the presence of skulls in the classroom. I combined this Australopithecus skull with other skulls and gave them a checklist of questions to make observations and comparisons. They are looking at similarities and differences in the face, the teeth and the overall shape of the skull.
It's really amazing how something hands-on like this inspires questions. They want to touch it. They want to pick it up. They want to ask what it is, and how it relates to them. These are all the questions that lay the groundwork for retaining knowledge.
We have studied early hominids and now they have a chance to hold some tangible evidence. Furthermore, they are developing skills in taking measurements and recording data. They use the calipers to examine the details of the skulls. This gives them a moment to pause and look at things they might otherwise overlook. These are skills they will use in observations and descriptions for other parts of their life.
This is a lab we will do year after year, leaving a lasting impression on sixth-graders thirsty for knowledge.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Fields
This classroom project was brought to life by A Northern California Family and 5 other donors.