Past projects 10
Prevent the Summer Slide - READ!
Funded May 20, 2023My students were thrilled with the books to take home and read over the summer. The book we had just enjoyed as a class, "The Lemonade War" ended with so many questions. The students begged me to find the second one and read to them. A few days later when they saw the book, bookmark, and summer schedule of the local public library, I had set aside to give them, they were beyond THRILLED! They were jumping up and screaming like they had won the lottery!
I gave the books to the students with just two more days left of school until summer. Some of them were so excited about the book and dying to know more to the story, they finished it before the last day of school!
Thank you again for contributing to this project!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Sammons-Meadows
This classroom project was brought to life by SONIC Foundation and 15 other donors.Paint & Create All Year
Funded Dec 13, 2022My students were ecstatic to receive the new art supplies! We have been able to create a variety of art projects with the new supplies. Painted snowman canvases, Martin Luther King Jr. portraits, leprechauns, and spring egg and chick pictures. We will be working next week on salt butterfly paintings to display in our classroom for the last month of school.
The paper is much better quality than we were use to! The students and I were very pleased with how well the paper held the paint. When I passed out the new Sharpies one of the students said, "LOOK! It's soooo juicy when it writes!" We are so grateful! Thanks again!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Sammons-Meadows
This classroom project was brought to life by Optimum.Listen to a Story
Funded Dec 13, 2022The new CD player and headphone storage pouches have been a hit! The students love that the headphones hang from their desk. They don't have to get up to get their headphones and the headphones don't take up space in their desk. The CD player is so easy to operate, students can do it independently. The listening station is a favorite. The students love seeing what new book they can listen to each week.
The clear tubs have really helped keep us organized. They are currently being used to hold recess games. The fact the tubs are clear makes it easy for the students to choose what they want to get off the shelf to use. These items have really helped me teach the children how to keep everything in its place. Thank you!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Sammons-Meadows
This classroom project was brought to life by Optimum and 5 other donors.Revive Our Bookshelves
Funded May 5, 2022The new books couldn't have come at a better time! It was so nice to take the tired, worn out books off the shelves this summer and replace them with brand new copies of their favorite stories! During Open House, the books that still had some life in them, I set out for students to take home.
The class was so excited to check out BRAND NEW books that nobody had read yet. They couldn't believe how new they were. They even commented on the new smell. Some of them had never opened a brand new book before! It was honestly something that took me by surprise. It never occurred to me that they had not experienced a brand new book before. One of my students recently said, "You know, it's actually enjoyable to read a book you pick out yourself!" They wouldn't have had this opportunity without you funding this project! Thank you for spreading the love of reading a brand new book to a new generation!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Sammons-Meadows
This classroom project was brought to life by Dollar General Literacy Foundation and 6 other donors.Diverse Books for Diverse Learners
Funded May 5, 2022This project was fully funded and supplies arrived the last month of school. Even though it was the end of the year, my students were so excited to see the boxes of new books arrive! Many couldn't wait to start a new book! In fact, several students who are no longer in my class, still come to borrow books from my library because they were in the middle of reading the series when school let out and couldn't wait to pick up where they left off!
These books have not only made my classroom more all inclusive, but also been good for ALL students to see a myriad of characters from diverse backgrounds represented. The art supplies have been wonderful for students to utilize during art projects. The students gasped with excitement when they saw all the color choices for skin tones.
Thank you for your generous support! My students and I are most appreciative!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Sammons-Meadows
This classroom project was brought to life by Dollar General Literacy Foundation and one other donor.Growing Readers
Funded Nov 13, 2021In September 2021, 30% of my students were reading on or above grade level, 30% were one grade level below level, and 40% were reading two or more grade levels below level. These results are what prompted me to write the grant for more books at a lower reading level. My plan was to fit students with "right fit" books for them to experience success. They would read the books, do well on the AR tests and be motivated to read the NEXT one they could find on the shelf. My plan worked! In January, in according to i-Ready data, 53% of my students were reading on or above grade level. 21% were reading one grade level below. And 27% were two or more grade levels below level. This was a dramatic improvement compared to where we started! Some students grew over 200%!
Thanks again for funding my grant. It was truly life changing for so many of my students. They are so excited they are becoming better readers. For so many of my students, I think it's the first time they have been pushed to accomplish a goal. Many didn't think it was possible. They worked hard and they are so proud of their results! It's been a wonderful motivator to show them they can accomplish great things with great effort. Again, thank you for helping struggling students develop a love for reading as well as becoming lifelong readers!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Sammons-Meadows
This classroom project was brought to life by Dollar General Literacy Foundation and 8 other donors.From Books to the Big Screen
Funded May 5, 2020As you know, this year has brought many challenges. Our school district is on a blended schedule. Some students report to school, others homeschool, and some are learning virtually. In addition, the school library has been closed for the entire school year.
The main goal of the project was to provide my students the opportunities to become life long readers. Thankfully, the project has armed me well by getting the right books in the hands of all students.
Books were sent home with students as well as a bag of popcorn and the movie DVD. Students thoroughly enjoyed having the extra time at home to read, watch the movie with family, and then compared and contrasted the book with the movie! It definitely was a win-win situation for my students and their families!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Sammons-Meadows
This classroom project was brought to life by SONIC Drive-In and 12 other donors.I Can Hear Success
Funded Nov 25, 2018Thank you so much for your donations. Since implementing this project with my students, my nonreaders and struggling students look forward to silent reading time. They have completed several chapter books and scored very well on the accompanying AR (accelerated reader) tests.
The students get excited selecting a new book to read with a friend. I have also found them interacting more with peers who are reading the same series on their own. Not only are they able to interact with their peers, but they also become active participants in discussions about the characters and events from the story.
As a result, these students have not only "fallen in love" with books, but have also gained much needed confidence. It has become one of their most favorite parts of the day.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Sammons-Meadows
Rough and Rowdy Reading
Funded Mar 22, 2018Thanks to you, my classroom library is overflowing with high quality books! I held a "Book Tasting" in my classroom after receiving all the books. The classroom was decorated like a fancy Italian restaurant complete with battery operated candles. I "served" all 65 third grade students books that I thought would interest them. They were able to browse and "taste" each new book. From the book "tasting", many students found a series that peaked their interest. Although this grant was initially intended to build up my "boy books", ALL students found new books to enjoy.
These books have especially been a hit with my students who are boys and reading not quite on grade level. Since we have received these books, independent reading has increased. I am happy to report that on the most recent computer generated reading assessment, with a couple of exceptions, ALL third grade students made progress. Some students gained more than two years in reading. I firmly believe that having GOOD quality books to choose from played a big part in the success of my students.
Thanks again!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Sammons-Meadows
Storyworks...The Rest of the Story...
Funded Oct 4, 2017As the first semester of school comes to a close, I want to take a minute to let you know how your donation to our StoryWorks Jr. magazines has impacted our classroom.
My students are excited each week to see what our new article will be! The students have enjoyed the interactive way vocabulary is presented and the video clips that accompany each article.
One of my students found an article about the famous escape from Alcatraz so interesting, he did his social studies project on the same topic and WON!
I LOVE the fact that each magazine has built in character education lessons. One of the stories that really made a big impact on my students was "Kevin & Daisy" a story about a 12 year old boy, living with autism. We have a severe autism class at our school and it never occurred to me that my students didn't realize why those children sometimes threw fits in the hallways or other common areas. After reading the story and discussing it, my students were extremely sensitive to the students who have autism at my school. They learned not to stare or laugh if they saw a student having a meltdown and I truly believe they have learned compassion. I have had several parents contact me to tell me their child is loving our "new reading class".
I am also happy to report that 55% of my students are now reading at or above grade level. When these students entered my class in August, only 34% were on level or above! I can't wait to see our growth at the end of the second semester!
Thank you donors!!!! I truly appreciate each and every one of your donations!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Sammons-Meadows