Funded Nov 13, 2024When I first learned about DonorsChoose, I was thrilled, but when my students realized that people they didn't know had used their resources to purchase the amazing tools we received, that moment became forever etched in their hearts and mine.
The whiteboard, which came in a large box, was our first surprise. "Ms. Singh, I wonder what's in it?" Gana asked, her eyes widening. When the box was opened and assembled, our scholars gathered around it with curiosity. "Now all of us can reach the board, and you too, Ms. Singh!" yelled Tristan, referring to the fact that their teacher is just about 5 feet tall. As tactile learners, our students' level of engagement increases when they can show what they know, and this beautiful board allows them to do so.
The brightly colored manipulatives in our STEM bin were another source of excitement because our scholars immediately began using the smooth foam shapes to count spaces and explore the concept of area in a hands-on way. Teaching students to read time on an analog clock was also challenging since we had to point to the big clock on the wall. However, with the clock from the kit, students can now hold it in their hands to move the hands of time (pun intended).
We've put every item in our project to use, including the sturdy hole puncher for organizing students' work in their folders and the roller coaster kit. Another item that has gained great popularity with our scholars is the fishing kit. This kit comes with about six magnetized rods that students use to "fish" out words from a pool of wooden fish. Our students then write sentences using the words they catch. This game gets our scholars so hyped up that we had to change the rules so that only one partner team fishes at a time instead of everyone fishing together.
As you can see, your gifts are being used well and your generosity is already changing lives.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Singh