Past projects 5
All Are Welcome - Reading Representation Matters!
Funded Aug 1, 2019I wanted these books. I was excited for these particular books because my library had obvious areas and groups of people not represented. I was not prepared for the level of impact they would have on my students. They are over moon. Third graders are running to read the picture books. "Mrs. Bolinger, this book is about boys who love pink...I love pink! I have never seen a book about boys being allowed to love pink." They are making connections and opening up a dialogue because they bring a book they fell in love with and beg me to read it aloud. I oblige. I had one student tell me she couldn't find a book I read aloud, I told her to look again because it is organized by author - she was so surprised all of my books with primarily black characters weren't in a bin by themselves. What a great conversation that opened. She spent indoor recess exploring each bin counting how many books I had that had covers with characters like her and said, "I don't think any of my other teachers had so many books with black girls on the front." So thank you for making reading an exciting time in our classroom but also providing the resources to have conversations that many stray away from. I couldn't have asked for this to go anymore smoothly. My students are sharing with other students who are now coming over asking to borrow my books - that warms every teachers heart. Thank you again.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Bolinger
This classroom project was brought to life by Tyson Foods and one other donor.Math Made Fun Through Games
Funded Aug 17, 2018We are loving the new math games. I introduced I Sea 10 first by calling the students in small groups to my table. We learned the rules together and practiced. Then the next day they played that one on their own as I taught Sums in Space. Repeat this process until we've used all of the materials. We've had them for about a month now and students still love them! They know how to play them correctly. Students have mentioned how easy the containers are to open and close. I love how easily they stack. We now have a whole shelf of games in containers so we haven't lost a single piece which in second grade is a miracle itself. It makes procedures during math workshop run so smoothly. We recently started reflecting about stations in our notebook. Students are making connections that the games require many of the math strategies we've already learned.
When they first saw them they cheered so loud the class across the hall asked what was so exciting. One students said we get new games. To second graders, it is just a game not a math activity. The excitement has not worn off. At the end of this quarter we are going to go to the other second grade class and teach them how to play. Students still get excited for partner game stations during math. I love how now we have variety so they get some choice in activities. It has kept the novelty of it up. They have been going home to tell their parents about these games.
Right now we are working on addition and subtraction strategies. Students are getting quicker playing the games and relying less on supports like number lines or hundreds chart to solve. Next quarter, students are going to make a short video explaining how to play the game. Then we will make it into a QR code to tape to the lid so that anyone can scan if they don't know how to play. Thank you so much for adding so much fun to our classroom. Being able to practice math strategies through games makes math so much more accessible for so many of my students.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Bolinger
This classroom project was brought to life by Craig Newmark Philanthropies and 15 other donors.Race to Xcape - time to Breakout!
Funded Feb 9, 2017Breakout Edu boxes are new and different so it has been fun piloting this resource. Students love the idea of having an escape room in our own classroom. Now that the school year is wrapping up, we are using these boxes for review. Students have to complete review tasks that would normally be a boring worksheet but now that knowledge is required to open locks to break out in a time crunch. These boxes have increased motivation at the most difficult time of the year. One student even said "come on guys we need to remember this stuff, it is important!"
When students first saw the boxes they were confused because they don't look like much. However, the first time we used it the excitement did not come down for days! They begged to use it every day in math. Then when they saw we could use it in other subjects, their requests kept coming. Students are highly motivated to participate and weeks later the excitement has not worn off. In fact, the excitement has now extended beyond out classroom with other students and teachers asking about it.
Again, I can't thank you enough for giving my students the opportunity to experience these breakout Edu boxes and for giving me the versatility in creating engaging lessons. My next steps are more focused on next school year. I want to make a long range plan of all the different times and ways I can use these boxes across subjects. I also think I am going to video my students using them to be a model for the school and have my students be trainers or helpers. Ideally, I want my students to create their own steps to break out because students will retain information more if they have to teach it. The possibilities with Breakout Edu boxes are endless and I love that!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Bolinger
Makerspace Makes Problem Solving Fun
Funded May 3, 2016Dear Donors,
My fourth graders and I are loving the new circuit sets and K'nex kits for Makerspace. We have been using them every Friday this school year. I had a special education student who lit up brighter than the bulb of the circuit set when he was able to successful follow directions and make a complete circuit to light up a light!
My students reaction when the first saw the materials was that of Christmas morning. They couldn't believe we had such cool supplies in our title school let alone enough so everyone would have the chance to use everything. Even weeks into school, it is still in high demand.
My next steps once we master some concepts using the K'Nex and Snap Circuits is to use the knowledge we've gained to solve real world problems so they can see the connection and transfer between these awesome resources and the real world.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Bolinger
A Whole World of Writing
Funded Jan 30, 2015Once the packages started arriving, my student's usual question was "what is that" or "who is that for?" I just kept saying "you'll see." First we used the privacy boards and the students acted like it was Christmas. Everyone loved them and treated them so well. They had a hard time understanding where the resources came from. The day I distributed the zippy pouches to hold editing supplies in their binders, not one person misused the supplies. They couldn't stop talking about them. Some upper grades in our school use those supplies so their comments were directed about how much their supplies were like the third graders.
We are using the black privacy boards to help maintain focus for some students, others use them only during tests to prevent wondering eyes, and still others are using them by transforming them into writing offices with their resources (like ABC charts) on the inside. The zippy pouches are holding black, blue, and red pens which prevents students from having to wonder the room to have their necessary supplies for writing. They no longer have to break their focus to get the necessary tools. The blue markers will be introduced shortly for revising work.
This project boosted my teaching because it allowed me to provide my students will tools to enhance their writing. Students no longer had to break their focus and sustainment in writing to go across the room for their writing pens. The privacy boards help define space when four people sit at a table by giving the students a sense of ownership in their area.
The students are excited and I can't wait to see the difference these supplies make as the year goes on. Thank you so much for your contribution to our classroom.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Bolinger