Mr. Gorby's Classroom Edit display name

Current requests

Past projects 10

• The BIG, Colorful and Curious World of Science

  Funded Oct 3, 2024

  I cannot thank you enough for your generous support of our classroom's science research library! Because of your kindness, my students now have an even greater selection of fascinating, knowledge-packed books to fuel their curiosity and deepen their understanding of the world around them.

  Each morning, I see their excitement as they eagerly select books filled with vibrant illustrations, stunning photographs, and engaging scientific discoveries. These books don't just provide information—they spark new questions, encourage deeper thinking, and inspire connections to the incredible world we live in. Your generosity is helping to create lifelong learners, critical thinkers, and budding scientists!

  Your gift is making a real difference in their education, and I am so grateful for your support. Thank you for being a part of our learning journey!”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Gorby

  This classroom project was brought to life by SONIC Foundation and 11 other donors.

• ⚡Getting Charged Up for SY 24-25! ⚡

  Funded Aug 19, 2024

  We are writing to express our sincere gratitude for your generous contribution to our "Technology in the Classroom" project. Your support has directly addressed a critical need for our 3rd-grade students by providing a safe and organized charging and storage solution for their Chromebooks. As you know, each student in our school is assigned a laptop to enhance their learning experience throughout the school day. However, without a dedicated space for charging and storage, we faced challenges with uncharged devices and potential damage, which significantly impacted instructional time and student learning. Your belief in our vision has made a tangible difference in our students' educational journey.

  Thanks to your contribution, all 3rd-grade students now have consistent access to fully charged and functional Chromebooks. This means that valuable learning time is no longer lost due to technical difficulties. Students can seamlessly integrate technology into their lessons, fostering a more engaging and effective learning environment. This not only supports their current academic success but also equips them with essential digital literacy skills for the future. We are incredibly grateful for your partnership in empowering our students through technology.

  Your support has had a profound impact on our students' learning. By ensuring access to reliable technology, you have enabled them to fully participate in digital learning activities, explore new educational resources, and develop crucial 21st-century skills. We are confident that this investment in technology will continue to pay dividends in the years to come, shaping our students into confident and capable learners. Thank you again for your generosity and for believing in the power of technology to transform education.”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Gorby

  This classroom project was brought to life by The Gates Foundation and 23 other donors.

• The Colorful and Curious World of Science

  Funded May 9, 2024

  Thank you so much for your incredible generosity in supporting our classroom through DonorsChoose! Your donations have made it possible for each of my students to receive their very own copy of Scholastic SuperSTEM, allowing them to dive into the exciting world of science, technology, engineering, and math. The colorful pages and engaging content are sure to spark their curiosity, as they explore topics like animal adaptations, coding, landforms, and more. Having their own magazine makes the experience even more special, as they can read and learn both at school and at home, building essential knowledge that will last a lifetime.

  Your support has also allowed us to begin updating our science research library, a collection that has been loved and well-used over the years. With new and relevant books, students will be able to explore a broader range of scientific topics in greater depth. These materials will not only inspire curiosity but also support their research and critical thinking skills, helping them become confident learners and problem-solvers.

  Thank you again for making a real difference in the lives of these young learners. We are so grateful to have you as partners in building a vibrant, curious, and informed classroom community!”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Gorby

  This classroom project was brought to life by Young Sheldon on CBS and 14 other donors.

• Ukuleles for All!

  Funded Nov 23, 2023

  Thank you for making "@ Hampden 55 Ukulele Club" a reality. I can't express how excited the students were to get their very own ukuleles and start the club. You can follow along with our journey here:

  https://sites.google.com/bcps.k12.md.us/hampden-55-ukulele-club/practice-follow-along

  In our first session, students worked on how to hold the ukulele, how to strum the ukulele and how to play the Am7 chord. In our second session, students had an opportunity to share all their hard strumming practice at home with the class, before we moved on to learning the note names of the ukulele strings, and plucking the open G, C & E strings.

  All students got to bring home their ukulele (which they will get to keep thanks to your generosity), turner and a binder full of the curriculum materials. I can't wait to see all their progress over our 15 sessions!”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Gorby

• The Colorful & Curious World of Science

  Funded Aug 2, 2023

  We hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. We are writing to express our deepest gratitude for your generous donation to the "Scholastic SuperSTEM" project. Your support is making a significant impact on the lives of countless students, helping us build a colorful and curious world of science that will leave a lasting impression.

  Thanks to your contribution, we can provide each student with their very own print copy of Scholastic SuperSTEM six times throughout the school year. Your commitment to enhancing education through engaging materials is truly commendable, and we cannot overstate the positive influence it will have on our students.

  The magazines are not just educational tools; they are gateways to a world of exploration and discovery. Your support ensures that students receive colorful and captivating materials that they can cherish and revisit at their own pace. The excitement and enthusiasm these magazines bring to our classrooms are palpable, creating an environment where learning becomes an adventure.

  By delving into STEM concepts through real-world applications, students are not only expanding their knowledge but also developing a love for science, technology, engineering, and math. Your donation is instrumental in fostering this passion, allowing our students to explore diverse topics such as landforms, animal adaptations, coding, and design thinking. These materials serve as invaluable resources both at school and in the comfort of their homes, enabling students to extend their STEM learning beyond the classroom walls.

  Your belief in the importance of providing students with engaging and tangible resources speaks volumes about your commitment to education. You are not just supporting a project; you are investing in the future of these young minds, empowering them with the tools they need to become critical thinkers and innovators.

  As we progress through the academic year, we will keep you updated on the impact of your donation. We are confident that the ripple effect of your generosity will extend far beyond the confines of our classrooms, influencing the educational journeys of these students for years to come.

  Once again, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your belief in our mission and your generous support. Together, we are shaping a future where the wonders of science are accessible to all, fostering a new generation of curious minds ready to tackle the challenges of tomorrow.”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Gorby

  This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 16 other donors.

• An After-School Musical Community: Ukulele Club!

  Funded Jun 27, 2023

  Thank you for making "@ Hampden 55 Ukulele Club" a reality. I can't express how excited the students were to get their very own ukuleles and start the club. You can follow along with our journey here:

  https://sites.google.com/bcps.k12.md.us/hampden-55-ukulele-club/practice-follow-along

  In our first session, students worked on how to hold the ukulele, how to strum the ukulele and how to play the Am7 chord. In our second session, students had an opportunity to share all their hard strumming practice at home with the class, before we moved on to learning the note names of the ukulele strings, and plucking the open G, C & E strings.

  All students got to bring home their ukulele, turner and a binder full of the curriculum materials. I can't wait to see all their progress over our 15 sessions!”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Gorby

  This classroom project was brought to life by SONIC Foundation and 35 other donors.

• A Science Research Library!

  Funded Jun 10, 2022

  Thank you so much for your kind generosity in donating funds to purchase science library books. "A Science Research Library" has allowed me to build an independent learning routine where students can self-select and research science topics of interest across both print and digital content.

  The books donated to the classroom have allowed many students who finish their core content instruction early to then follow their own interest and passions in researching science topics of choice. In many cases their research is an extension of what we are learning in the classroom, and this allows them to generate even more questions to research outside of the classroom.

  I look forward to continuing to grow my collection of science books, and thank you again for helping me plant the seed of knowledge in my classroom.”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Gorby

• Air Purifiers

  Funded Sep 6, 2021

  As we enter another period of uncertainty during the SARS-Cov-2 pandemic, the third grade team at Hampden Elementary/Middle is so very thankful to have portable air purifiers as part of our intervention strategies.

  The air purifiers are doing a wonderful job of helping to purify and circulate the air in our respective classrooms, and we were even able to share an air purifiers with another staff member whose small instructional space didn't include a window.

  Additionally, about a month after receiving the air purifiers through this DonorsChoose project, our school District returned the original air purifiers to our classrooms due to ongoing advocacy from concerned donors, supporters and school-based staff. We are humbled by the support. Wishing everyone good health and wellness...”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Gorby

• Dreams of a Digital World: A Chromebook Classroom

  Funded Dec 20, 2016

  Thank you so much for your generosity in donating Chromebooks and supporting resources to our classroom. You have brought much joy to our 2017 classroom and have accelerated learning not only in our classroom this year, but for all future 5th graders at Hampden Elementary/Middle School. We are excited to grow stronger and taller in a peaceful way as we learn more about the world around us and take advantage of all the opportunities provided by on-demand access to Chromebooks.

  In a 5th grade classroom where we are asked to defend our responses and knowledge--"why and how do you know"--the addition of Chromebooks adds the needed knowledge and facts to our discussions and work. No longer do we have to save our research for home! Furthermore, we are able to work on our basic math facts with immediate feedback, and learn about content not taught in school.

  As the school-year comes to a close, many of us are looking into getting Chromebooks at home so we can continue our learning with ease. While we would love to have the Chromebooks next year in 6th grade, we are excited for the rising 5th graders to have these amazing resources as a community of learners.

  We are thankful...”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Gorby