Past projects 4
I Can't Hear You!
Funded Aug 24, 2014Thank you so much for funding my project. I was so excited to share the new materials with my class. We received the microphones and usbs early in the year and have been using them since day one. When I showed my students the microphones, you'd think they thought they were rock stars! They were so excited that I had to allow them "practice" time just so they could all try using it in the classroom. Some of them just said "hi", others sang a song! All in all, they can now all be heard.
We use them all day long. We are always on the rug for minilessons and discussions. I taught my students rules and routines for using the microphone. They take it very seriously and know that it's a tool for hearing our voices and for learning from each other. I have a monitor who passes it along to friends as needed. Now my very shy students and those with low volume WANT to speak because this is a motivating tool for them. I love to hear their voices!
The usb's have been awesome as well. Most of my students can not afford to purchase a usb. However, they love to type up their reports and technology is the way to go these days especially with common core curriculum. It's so important that our students are tech smart! Now every student in my class has a usb to use. They have learned how to save their work and it has also increased their motivation and drive.
Thank you for helping to boost my student's drive for learning. They are so appreciative and thankful for your generosity and so am I.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Mittenthal
This classroom project was brought to life by Gates Foundation Back To School and 2 other donors.Where Are My Books?
Funded Jul 4, 2013Thank you so much for your wonderful gift to my class! We just received our seat sacks and my students were so excited that some of them emptied their desks and put everything in the seat sacks! I had to explain to them that the purpose was to help them stay organized, quickly find their things and be ready to learn.
Before we had the seat sacks my students books were scattered in various places around the room. They had to get up to gather their books before lessons. Some of our students are on the spectrum and organizational skills is a deficit that challenges them daily. Now my students place specific books in their seat sacks and other books in their desks. It is organized, neat, and readily available when needed. The best part is they ALL know and remember where each and every book is!
While this may seem minor to some, being organized is crucial to a child on the spectrum as well as the typical child that needs to develop this important skill for future success. My students who are on the spectrum NEVER have meltdowns because they can't find their books. This is a non-issue in our class now thanks to the very generous people who understand the special needs of all children. The seat sacks have made my classroom neater, calmer, and more organized. That's a plus for the kids and the teacher!Thank you once again for your generosity and kindness. It will go a long way!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Mittenthal
It's My Turn!!
Funded Jun 15, 2012Thank you so much for your very generous donations to my project. As I had expected, my students were so excited to begin using our new Nook Colors! I explained to them how they were donated by people who believed in the education of all children and who wanted to help educate children in any way they could. They couldn't believe that total strangers would do that for them. This was an unexpected lesson that was well worth the discussion. They were so appreciative to have received such a wonderful gift.
The Nook Colors have changed the dynamics in my class. My students are doing assignments that normally they would frown upon. They are reading books and becoming more interested in topics that they never knew existed...because previously they weren't reading enough. Now, I never have to ask a child twice to take out his independent reading book. Some of the children will read their books on the Nook. This has proved to be very motivating. I use the Nook for many things. I have uploaded apps that they can use for academic vocabulary, math games, reading games, drawing, writing, and more. There is so much that can be done with the Nook.
But best of all and the main reason I wanted to incorporate the Nook into my classroom was to reach my students with autism. This is an engaging preferred modality for my most amazing students. I've seen progress and motivation in the short time we've been using them. So, once again, thank you so much for your kindness! We are truly appreciative!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Mittenthal
Help Me Meet their Needs!
Funded Dec 16, 2008Thank you so much for your donation. I am so excited and I know when I get to school tomorrow and tell my students, they are going to be thrilled. I always try so hard to meet all the individual needs of my students. They vary so greatly being a special education class. Their needs are very different from one another. You have just made my life a little better and I appreciate you helping me to meet my goal which is to meet the goals of my students. Thank you so much”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Mittenthal