Past projects 23
Learning At The Carpet
Funded Jan 24, 2022The purpose of the carpet and teaching easel was to get my students to get up, move around and to keep them from being seated all day. I wanted them to gather for the mini lesson that was being taught and to come back and share their discoveries.
When the carpet and teaching easel were delivered to the classroom, the students were so excited. They were expressing on how nice their classroom was going to look. When they saw me putting the teaching easel together, many of them wanted to help me.
Using the teaching easel has made even Small Group Instruction much easier to help the students grasp concepts that are too difficult to understand during my mini lesson and partner work.
However, the carpet is the only thing I am unable to open at this time. Once it came, the principal said I would only be able to use it once the COVID restrictions are lifted. The mask mandates were lifted, so hopefully gathering back at the rug will be lifted soon too.
We truly appreciate and love our Learning at the Carpet items.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Viera
Books Are Gold
Funded Oct 21, 2021Being able to think deeply about character traits for the characters in a short story or novel is an important part of understanding the author's deeper message. The students needed to think more deeply about the characters and their character traits.
We began the lesson by accurately describing characters and then we moved into analyzing how characters are influenced by the plot and their relationships with others. Character analysis is an approachable way to get students used to the rigorous expectations for deep thinking about literature. Students must use text clues to make inferences, and they must also be able to support their answers with details from the plot.
Having these books were so helpful in book choices because the students were able to pick high level interest books on their reading level. I have to say that "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" use a book that most kids wanted to read and we're upset when it wasn't them that was able to read it at that moment.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Viera
This classroom project was brought to life by Dollar General Literacy Foundation and one other donor.Supply Replenishment
Funded Jun 6, 2020Due to COVID-19, the supplies that you graciously donated to our class will hopefully be used either in January of 2021 when I return to the building or in September of 2021. Many of our students chose to learn remotely, so I am in the process of making all my lessons digital.
I know in the past, the children would get very excited when our supply box would come in from Donorschoose.com. Having pencils to write with was always worry free. They didn't need to worry whether their parents had pencils ready for them each morning. They knew every morning there were sharpened pencils ready to be used.
I'm saddened that this school year did not go as planned, but the supplies will come in handy when school life gets back to normal.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Viera
Touch Screen
Funded Aug 11, 2020Thank you so very much for your generous contributions. With all the uncertainties that are approaching this school year, I want to make sure I deliver the best instruction to all my students no matter which option (in-person or remote learning) they choose this coming fall. This computer will allow me to write directly on the screen allowing the students to see how I arrive at an answer.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Viera
This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 7 other donors.Tools for School
Funded May 3, 2019Having the supplies makes their educational learning advance. They don't need to worry about sharpening pencils, leaving their supplies at home or their parent couldn't afford any supplies because if they need something, they know exactly where to go to get it. My students already face a challenging environment. I want them to know that not only I but many people care about what happens to their education and want them to become an amazing scholar. And as simple as a sharpener, erasers, pencils, highlighters, and pencils can be, the supplies are the beginning of the rest of their life. Just want to thank you again for giving my children an amazing start to life”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Viera
This classroom project was brought to life by OshKosh B'gosh.Let’s Get This School Year Started Right!
Funded May 8, 2018Even though these materials are for the incoming grade; every year there are several students that do not bring in the supplies. They sit there and look around at their peers. They look at me and say, "Oh, my mom said she'll bring in the supplies tomorrow." But, tomorrow comes and goes and still no supplies. I usually go into my supply closet at home, the things I buy for my children, and give them a few things to hold them off for a month or so. I just want my students to do the best that they can. And, with the right supplies, they're ahead of the game.
Thank you again!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Viera
This classroom project was brought to life by General Motors and one other donor.Dear Math, I Love You
Funded May 8, 2018Here at PS 138, fifth-grade students change class for math. Most of the students in my math class are not my homeroom students, so they did not know about Donors Choose, nor did they know everything that I have gotten for my students. These materials, in this project, were for these set of students and they were very surprised. I had to explain what Donors Choose was and explain the materials that came in for them. They were most gracious for this particular project and they asked why their teacher doesn't do Donors Choose as well. They went on to say how lucky my students are.
I had them use the highlighters yesterday to refresh their memories about multiplying fractions. When they overlapped the two colors and saw the answer turn green before their eyes, they were astonished. We have not used the rulers yet, but we have an assessment coming up where they have to measure and find the area to that particular measurement. These rulers will be a lifesaver. The ones we have are faded and we have to borrow the "good ones" from each other. They love the Twistables! They only use Twistables when Ms. Martinez comes in to complete a project. Now, they have their own. And, they love the amount of Twistables they get to color with.
Thank you again. Seeing the endless smiles and surprised faces are truly heartwarming.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Viera
This classroom project was brought to life by General Motors and one other donor.I Can’t Learn Without Basic School Supplies
Funded May 8, 2018I am so excited for "my kids". Every day this week has been Christmas for them. Boxes have shown up in the office and I have a few of the students help me bring them up and I leave them on the table. When the rest of the class comes in from lunch, they see the boxes and rush over to see what's in each box. The happiest in their faces are precious!
Even though we have two months of learning to go, we still have much to accomplish. Having these materials available for each and every one of my students, including students that are on a breakup due to a teacher absence, is enormously helpful. No more waiting for others to finish up and pass it to the next student. No more asking other teachers, that also pay out of pocket, if they have materials I can borrow and reimburse. No more wasting time.
We are so very grateful (and have I mentioned excited) about your commitment to improving our future.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Viera
This classroom project was brought to life by General Motors and one other donor.Learning English
Funded Mar 27, 2018I received Rosette Stone this week and I currently have one student using it. She moved from the Dominican Republic about a month ago. Being able to speak Spanish myself, I spoke with her about her school, grades and how much English she knows; she's very smart, but doesn't understand ANY English. Usually, many countries have one period a day in English, I guess her school didn't have that program.
Many of the students speak Spanish and are able to communicate with her, but she's missing out on other relationships with her peers. The children in my class are really amazing and she won't be able to truly get to know them, the way she would if she knew English. Using this program is going to help her immensely. She has the headset on and you hear repeating the words. Since the headset is on, she doesn't know how loud she's being. Her classmates and I look at each other and smile.
She's working so hard to learn English, she practices everyday. And, you have made her journey so much easier. She will thank you in Spanish, but I am truly thankful for what you have done for not just her, but all my students. I can't wait to see them socializing!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Viera
This classroom project was brought to life by Ripple and 2 other donors.Write On! Going Through The Writing Process
Funded Mar 24, 2018We've had our writing tools for a few days now, and I have to say, the children are absolutely protective of their new things. In our school, the 5th graders go to different math teachers, and my homeroom class said that my math class can share the writing tools as long as they sign for and return them. One boy has created a sign out sheet and he walks around the classroom and sees if any pencils are on the floor. Another boy took a pencil with him to his Resource class and a boy took it from him. When he came upstairs, he looked like he wanted to cry because "the boy stoled the pencil the generous people have bought for our class". They're so funny!!
No one has to ask for a pencil from their peers anymore. No one has to feel like they are unprepared for the day. Everyone gets straight to work. There's no more excuses.
Writing on the desk is "so much fun". As they're working with a partner, they write on their desk to show their partner what something should look like or prove what an answer should be.
We thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We love everything!!!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Viera