Past projects 26
A Purposeful Printer
Funded Sep 27, 2021Having this printer in our own classroom has been such a benefit to my students and me. I believe what is most exciting is that I now do not have to juggle my time with others who use the communal office printer. My students and I also have access to this printer in the classroom. It is always so neat to see my students' reactions when they have worked so hard on writing and have them celebrate by seeing their accomplished piece typed out. They truly feel like they are an author seeing their work on printed paper.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Rosan Wachi
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 6 other donors.Building a Diverse Classroom Library
Funded Jun 25, 2020Wow! To have a whole section in my classroom library devoted to books that represent diversity is overwhelming. As soon as my students are able to come back to the classroom, these books will make a difference in my students' learning by being a mirror that reflects to their customs, cultures and experiences. I want my students to see themselves being represented in these books. Along with that, I want these books to expose them to all different kinds of people, other than themselves. By reading and learning about new and different cultures, students will see people unlike them.
Building a diverse classroom library will give value to each student that walks into my classroom. They will see that they are represented and are welcomed. They will learn about women who are scientists and mathematicians. They will benefit learning about what is a hijab. Reading and sharing these books with enthusiasm is essential so my students in turn will be motivated to explore and grow as thoughtful humans.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Rosan Wachi
This classroom project was brought to life by Google.org and 2 other donors.Books! Books! Books!
Funded May 28, 2020I shared our newest addition to our classroom library to our students and they were ecstatic. Although it was through zoom and we don't have access to our classroom library, yet, the excitement was still great to see. That is why these books make such an impact to my students, especially my most reluctant readers. These materials will make a difference in my students' learning by giving them access to their most loved titles. The Dog Man series and the Captain Underpants series are always the most popular books in our school library. You have been able to provide these series in my own classroom so my students do not have to wait for it to be available from the school library. These books motivate my students who haven't found the love of books, yet. That means by providing access to these motivational books, my reluctant readers will soon become avid readers because the books that make them laugh and entertain them are in hands reach.
Access to books is the key to providing the skills necessary for my learners.
I also want to provide books that students may not necessarily choose from first sight. Non fiction books or not as popular reading series provide strong vocabulary, background knowledge and an insight to people or worlds my students may not be familiar with. Having the Who Was series and Anne of Green Gables is just a start in providing access to new series that my students will soon love.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Rosan Wachi
This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 5 other donors.Motivating Curious Minds
Funded Dec 17, 2019Classroom materials are always an essential tool in classrooms. My students use the highlighters as a tool to help my them focus on key elements, such as key vocabulary words or important spelling patterns. The plastic envelopes have helped my students stay organized with the various materials they use throughout the day. The gallon Zip loc bags have been used to help take care of books and magazines that students will use to transport materials from school to home.
The skills that are currently being taught using the magazine TIME for Kids is to teach current events in an authentic way. I have observed that by using a colorful and current magazine has encouraged and motivated my students to read various forms of literature. Many of my students are reluctant to read non fiction text, but Time for Kids magazine has gotten my students excited about while learning about the world around them. They have even asked when the next magazine is going to get delivered.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Rosan Wachi
This classroom project was brought to life by An anonymous classroom supporter and 2 other donors.Warming Up With Math
Funded Nov 14, 2018My students and I dug in to our new ETA Hand2Mind Daily Math Fluency Kit immediately. The kit had everything ready to go, with no prep work necessary. We use the kit each day as a math warm up and during small group time as well. We begin our math lesson with a quick 10-15 minute math warm up. One of the best results was how this kit encourages my students to think beyond math standard algorithm which is what the Common Core Standards ask for. Students are expected explain the what and the why in math. In addition they are asked to think of math in various ways, which is what this Kit lends itself to. I saw changes in my students math thinking in Day 2 of using this Kit. They felt comfortable to trying out new ways to solve math equations.
Another benefit to this Kit, is hearing all the "math talk" that my students are having with one another. I teach second language learners, so English is not their first language, which means not all my students are comfortable with talking out loud not do they have the vocabulary to do so. Each day since using the Kit, I have witnessed ALL students sharing out ideas and using math vocabulary that they necessarily did not use prior to this Kit. They also are actively listening to each other when they have their math talks. All the listening and talking that my students are having are giving them the confidence that they need as second language learners.
Thank you for providing my students with this Kit that will not only benefit my current 4th graders but my future ones as well.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Rosan Wachi
This classroom project was brought to life by ETA hand2mind and one other donor.Best Seat in the House
Funded Aug 22, 2018My students immediately started using the 6 new stools the day they arrived! We've had them for about a week and we use them all day everyday. My students love being able to sit where they choose and guess what.... they are working and learning without distraction. If anyone were to walk into my class at any given moment, students are engaged and succeeding. I know some may say that a stool can't be the reason for children being able to independently work, but it is! The truth is, if you give the students the opportunity to choose their work space then yes, they can succeed.
When my students first saw the 6 stools, they were ecstatic to say the least. Now there is no disappointment that they don't have the coveted stool to sit on. My current students and future students will all get the opportunity to use these flexible seating.
Thank you for the generous donation that is helping with the education of my students.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Rosan Wachi
This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and one other donor.Children Are Born to Make Art
Funded May 24, 2018So often my teaching time is consumed with district mandated curriculum and the subject that is always taken a seat back is art. This sadly is a detriment to my students. Yes the core subjects are important but the arts are equally important. Therefore the materials you donated will be used daily for each of my students.
The binding machine with binding combs will be used to create books that my students will create throughout the year. How exciting will that be for students to have all their beautiful artwork and writing bound- just like the authors and artists that they read about.
The Mr. Sketch markers are an added bonus that my students can use at their leisure. It's placed in the room where all students can access. Students will be free to use during art but also when they choose too. The large iris bins are a necessity for the classroom to hold all materials that are needed during all the art lessons.
I must say when I first showed the students all the generous donations that were given, they were speechless. Then ofcourse they wanted to use them all immediately and they did!! Thanks a million for being a part of my students learning and creativity”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Rosan Wachi
This classroom project was brought to life by An Anonymous Arts Funder and one other donor.Books on Books on Books
Funded May 16, 2018We just started out the new school year so these classroom materials couldn't of arrived at a better time. First the first day of school I set the tone that reading is not only important in our learning but it is FUN! So when our package arrived I opened it in front of the students and made it as if it was Christmas morning. The excitement in their eyes seeing the series of Dogman and other read alouds was heartwarming. I already have a waitlist for students to borrow all the books. The ziploc bags are essential to keep these books a safe place to be stored when students borrow these books. The teacher materials of teacher editions will be used during Word Study. The Art of Teaching Writing and the Literacy Continuum are essentials for me to help teach writing and reading comprehension. On behalf of my 32 students and future students, thank you for your generous donation. These materials will be used daily and we are grateful for your generosity.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Rosan Wachi
Coding in the Classroom
Funded Apr 30, 2018Exposure, that is what I aim to do for my students that are less likely to experience what other children their age get to experience due to lack of funding at schools. Before creating this project, I took a poll of my students on who knew what coding was. Sadly, only a few hands were raised. I immediately knew that this is what I needed to provide for my students. I know that there are future engineers, developers and inventors in my class. Due to your generous donation, our class now has 9 Botley the Coding Robots. We have had these robots for about month now and coding has become apart of our weekly curriculum. In addition, not only is it servicing my own students, but other 4th graders in the other classrooms as well. That means, close to 100 students have had the experience of learning to code.
Among these students, I found that we had beginning coders and now more experienced coders. We have students coming in from other classrooms and my students are teaching their peers what coding is. How amazing is that? They are taking their learning into their own hands. I believe that no matter where you live, all students should be able to experience what other students get to have. Thank you for giving these eager learners an opportunity to learn to code and motivating them to maybe making this into their career.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Rosan Wachi
This classroom project was brought to life by Learning Resources and one other donor.Fun Beyond the Classroom
Funded Mar 27, 2018My intent for this project was to bridge a gap between school and home. I wanted to take homework to a new level, where my students actually look forward to doing homework like they do when I mix art with our academic learning. Supplies at home can be scarce for my students, but because of your donation, I am now able to provide them with arts and crafts materials that not only engage their learning but include that much needed family time.
That engagement also happens in the classroom with these materials.
Recently, my students were able to use the new set of watercolors to complete an Earth Day activity. The magic model clay provided a student-made gift for their mothers. Markers have been able to be used in the classroom and at home, for any take home projects that students continued to work on. I even had students asking to do extra projects at home! The white board tape was used on their journals. These act as white boards and students can work on them at home as well. The timers have been used both at home and at school to help students boost their fluency. They loved getting to use these timers.
My students and parents have expressed how much they enjoy using the materials at school and home. These materials have provided an innovative way to continue what they learned at school to home. Thank you for the kind generous. It has reached and will continue to reach so many 4th graders!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Rosan Wachi
This classroom project was brought to life by Ripple and one other donor.