Past projects 6
SPRK Creativity With Coding
Funded May 13, 2019Thank you so much for your generous donation. My first grade students are really enjoying our new SPHERO SPRK+ robots. We were able to use a basic block coding app on our iPads to program the SPHERO SPRK+ robots. This program was user friendly for my six and seven year old students and was a great introduction to block coding. The students enjoyed setting up obstacles and then programming the robots to move around the object. They also enjoyed programming the light to change colors. If the SPHERO did not go around the obstacle, they were able to quickly determine where they went wrong and try a different method. I was amazed at how quickly they were able to learn how to code! By the end of the first lesson, they were teaching me new things with the robots!
In addition to my students, I have also been able to share the SPHERO SPRK+ robots with other educators in my district. Some teachers were ready to learn, and others were a little more hesitant. After the teachers had a little time to play with the robots, they were just as excited as my first graders!
It is amazing to witness young students working together to problem solve. At times, I just sit back and watch them go. They are learning so much at such a young age in a world that is ever-changing. I greatly appreciate your donation to this project and your support to education.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Tuckwiller
This classroom project was brought to life by SONIC Drive-In and 5 other donors.STEAM Supplies - the Missing Pieces to Our Puzzle
Funded Dec 3, 2019Thank you so much for your generous donation. My first graders will be so excited to receive these items to enhance our coding technology. Education is evolving and my students are eager to learn it all! As a teacher, it is hard to keep up with them. It often seems that they are teaching me! Thank you for your support for our students and classroom.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Tuckwiller
This classroom project was brought to life by SONIC Drive-In and one other donor.Operation Osmo! Full STEAM Ahead!
Funded Mar 8, 2018Thank you so much for your generous donation. On behalf of my students, we greatly appreciate your generosity. These Osmo games have made such a difference in our classroom. The use of technology has enhanced the learning experience for all of my students. The tables have turned, and now my first graders are teaching me!
A few months ago, we obtained several Osmo games to use with our iPads. The games are designed to make iPad games interactive with hands on play. The Osmo game shows the students what to create. The osmo sensor can sense what the students have created and check that it matches the instructions on the game. The games are all different. Some are puzzles, some teach math and spelling. Their favorite game is Coding Awbie. This game allows them to create step by step codes for the character on the screen. The students decide which way to code Awbie to move. I am eager to watch my students learn coding as they will eventually progress to higher level coding programs as they get older.
While it is important to me to balance technology screen time, with oral and written communication in my classroom, I have seen what a difference technology can make. When working on a page from a math book, the students often ask, "How do I do this?" They are afraid to try it on their own for fear of being wrong. With technology, I find that the students are more likely to talk to peers, and work through things, pressing buttons, trying to figure it out on their own. I want them to feel comfortable talking through problems and to not be afraid of being wrong.
I want to thank you again for your donation. I greatly appreciate your support to programs such as this. It makes a huge difference in the classroom!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Tuckwiller
Help! Ozobots Are Taking Over Our Classroom!
Funded Feb 9, 2017Thank you so much for your generous donation. On behalf of my students, we greatly appreciate your generosity. These two Samsung tablets have made such a difference in our classroom. The use of technology has enhanced the learning experience for all of my students. The tables have turned, and now my first graders are teaching me!
A few months ago, we obtained a class set of Ozobot robots. They are designed to introduce computer coding to younger students. The students draw paths on a piece of paper with markers. Then they enter codes to direct the Ozobots to u-turn, or speed up, slow down, line-jump left, right, etc. The tablets were a great addition to our classroom that enhanced our Ozobot experience. The students were able to use an app with templates already created. While most of my students are still developing fine motor skills, with the tablets, they were able to focus less on drawing the paths, and more on inserting the different codes for the Ozobots.
In addition to using the tablets for Ozobots, I also downloaded a QR code app to use with activities in the classroom. I had different websites bookmarked to a QR code. The students were able to use the tablets to scan the code, and then immediately read a book online using the tablet. We also used the tablets when playing BreakoutEDU. The students would work in teams to solve a bunch of clues, some using pen and paper, others using the computer, puzzles, books, black lights, flash lights, and tablets to solve clues. They loved the diversity of each clue!
While it is important to me to balance technology screen time, with oral and written communication in my classroom, I have seen what a difference technology can make. When working on a page from a math book, the students often ask, "How do I do this?" They are afraid to try it on their own for fear of being wrong. With technology, I find that the students are more likely to talk to peers, and work through things, pressing buttons, trying to figure it out on their own. I want them to feel comfortable talking through problems and to not be afraid of being wrong.
I am pleased to say, here at the end of the year, I can now sit back and watch the students teach each other. When one figured out a short cut on Google Classroom, the next day he was showing another student how to do the same thing. They are more willing to give something a try. I am so proud of them. They are even teaching me new tricks!
I want to thank you again for your donation. I greatly appreciate your support to programs such as this. It makes a huge difference in the classroom!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Tuckwiller
Escape the Classroom with BreakoutEDU Kits
Funded Apr 21, 2016Thanks to your generous donations, I was able to purchase two BreakoutEdu Kits for my classroom! They have been a huge hit in my classroom! Two weeks prior to our first "Breakout", I introduced the students to the locks. I gave them combinations and let them explore the locks. I wanted them to see how to use the locks in advance, so when the time came to do the Breakout they could focus more on the clues, and less on the locks.
Two weeks later, my technology resource teacher and I had created a Fall Breakout! We divided the class into two teams. They were each given 4 clues. While we had taught them how to open the locks, we did not show them the black light flashlight or invisible ink. It was fun to watch the students figure out how to use the flashlight to read the invisible clue! Not to mention, they thought the combinations on the locks would be the same from our practice round! They figured out most of the clues fairly quickly! The last step was to find the missing key. Both teams "Brokeout" within twenty minutes! Inside the boxes were Pumpkin Pie Little Debbie treats and juice boxes! The students were very excited to breakout!
I am already making plans for the next Breakout on Halloween as well as several others, including a Presidential Breakout featuring clues about Abraham Lincoln and George Washington.
The BreakoutEDU kits allowed my students a chance to think creatively and problem solve as a team. Often, their initial reaction is to ask me for help before they even try. It was nice to give them a little guidance, then sit back and watch them work! They worked as a team, some emerged as leaders. Others were better with the hands on aspect of opening the locks. The best part was, they were all engaged! You could almost see the wheels turning as they realized they were catching on to the clues and the locks were starting to open!
They had a great time! I also heard from several parents that said their child talked about it nonstop when they got home! One student said it was, "the best day ever!" I would have to agree! It is challenging for the students, but it is also challenging for me to find new ways to introduce clues! We are very excited to try it again, though this time with harder clues!
Thank you again for supporting our classroom! It has made a huge impact on my students, and I know this is only the beginning!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Tuckwiller
Listen Up! Listening Center
Funded Aug 6, 2015My students and I thank you for your support! Thanks to your generous donations, we were able to purchase a listening station for our classroom. Each day during our Daily 5 Language Arts Stations, 4-5 students listen to a book on c.d. using the listening station. Upon completion of the story, they complete a listening response activity. The listening response activities often include: retelling the beginning, middle, and end of the story, discussing the setting, identifying characters and their traits, determining whether the book is fiction or nonfiction, among other activities. The listening station has been a wonderful addition to our class. The students are able to use this independently while I am working with a small group of students for reading instruction. Each week, the students are eager to see what book they will be listening to!
Within my class, a lot of activities are differentiated based on each learner's ability. I currently have five reading groups, five spelling groups, and four math groups. It is extremely important to me to provide engaging activities designed for each student's needs without calling attention to the different levels and abilities. The listening station is an activity that students can do together regardless of their reading abilities.
While I am encouraging my students to read during daily reading groups, there are many days where I do not have the opportunity to read stories to them. The same goes for the students at their home. Many of them do not have books at home, much less someone to read to them. I love that the listening station gives them a chance to sit back, relax, and enjoy listening to a story.
I am very grateful for your support. I know my students are too! Thank you again for making a difference in our classroom!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Tuckwiller