Past projects 3
Transformative Reading Haven: Empowering EL Students Through Literacy
Funded Aug 3, 2023I am excited to update you on your generosity's remarkable impact on our 7th-grade English Language (EL) students. Thanks to your support, our classroom has been transformed into a vibrant and engaging reading space with a cozy rug, comfortable chairs, a well-stocked bookshelf, bench storage, and refreshing greenery decor.
Our students have been actively using these new resources in various ways. A notable project that stands out is our "What We Are Reading" sessions. Every two weeks, students pick a book from the new bookshelf and find a comfortable spot to immerse themselves in reading. Post-reading, they circle on the cozy rug, discussing and sharing their reflections. This has improved their reading comprehension and encouraged respectful listening and articulate speaking.
The reaction of the students upon first seeing the materials was heartwarming. Their eyes lit up with excitement and curiosity. They eagerly explored each new addition, with many immediately settling into the new chairs with a book. This instant connection to the reading space clearly indicated how much these resources were needed and appreciated. Looking ahead, we plan to initiate involving students recommending books to their peers, thus fostering a sense of responsibility and leadership.
Thank you for being a part of this transformative experience. Your support means the world to us and, most importantly, to our students.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Kethly Colon Lebron CMS Room 330
This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 4 other donors.Bridging Cultures: Fostering Connections With Classic Games
Funded Apr 28, 2023Thank you so much for your generous donation! Your support has allowed us to bring a unique dimension to our elective class, enhancing our curriculum with a global perspective. We've incorporated the dominoes set into our 'Bridging Cultures: Fostering Connections With Classic Games' project, using it to foster understanding and connection through the lens of gameplay. As part of this initiative, students have engaged in an in-depth study of the history and cultural significance of dominoes, a game with roots in many different societies. They've also been actively participating in playing the game, allowing them to immerse themselves in the experience while developing critical thinking and strategic skills.
The students' reactions were filled with joy and curiosity when we unpacked the dominoes. Their enthusiasm for touching and arranging the pieces, paired with their eagerness to learn the game's rules and put their strategic skills to the test, was heartwarming to witness. As they familiarize themselves with the game, it was fascinating to see them start to make connections with the historical and cultural elements we'd been studying in class. Their next step for next year is to present their knowledge to the rest of the school and to host a dominoes tournament, further building bridges between different cultures in a fun and interactive way.
Thank you once again for your support!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Kethly Colon Lebron CMS Room 330
Celebrating Diversity: Empowering Multilingual Learners Through Reading
Funded Mar 30, 2023The new diversity books we received offer an array of skills and lessons for our ML students. First and foremost, they introduce students to a wide range of cultural backgrounds and experiences, fostering empathy and understanding. The texts also help students develop key language skills, such as vocabulary acquisition, reading comprehension, and grammatical understanding, in an engaging and relevant context. Some books introduce students to new idioms and expressions, while others present complex narrative structures that challenge students' comprehension skills. Many of these texts contain rich, nuanced characters and situations that can be used to teach inferential skills. By discussing the motivations and actions of characters, students learn to read between the lines and infer meaning from context. This can also lead to lessons on perspective-taking and empathy.
In our classroom, reading is a collaborative and interactive process. We use a blend of individual, paired, and group reading activities to cater to different learning styles and foster a sense of community.
We established DEAR time, where independent reading allows students to progress at their own pace and fosters independence. This promotes language skills and encourages critical thinking and active engagement with the text. We also incorporate multimedia resources, such as videos, to support our ML students. These resources can make the texts more accessible and engaging, particularly for those who are still developing their reading skills.
Several students have been especially enjoying the new books. For instance, Adrianye, who recently immigrated from the Dominican Republic, was delighted to find a book featuring a protagonist who shares her cultural background. This made her feel seen and represented, and she has been more enthusiastic about reading ever since.
Another student, Joao Victor, has been making significant progress with his English skills, largely thanks to a series of graphic novels we received. The combination of text and visuals has made the language more accessible, and he has been excited to read more.
In general, the diversity in the books has positively impacted all our students. They are not just learning English and reading, improving reading in their native language; they are also learning about diverse experiences and perspectives, which is an invaluable lesson for all.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Kethly Colon Lebron CMS Room 330
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 5 other donors.