Past projects 9
Supporting Teachers Working Smarter Not Harder!
Funded Aug 16, 2023The Teachers Pay Teachers gift card has been just that, A GIFT!!! It was amazing to shop through all the different resources that I had saved on my wish list and choose the best resources that I can use this school year to meet my students' needs in the best way possible. These have been not only a time saver but have been fun and engaging. My students enjoy working with the new slides and activities in our weekly lessons. The most loved resource that I was able to get was the Would you Rather slides that have been engaging my students in speaking and writing in a quick, fun way that has the students wanting to do more.
Thank you so much!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Amy Pabon
This classroom project was brought to life by The SONIC Foundation and 4 other donors.A Stool is a Tool!
Funded Jan 26, 2023My students LOVE the colorful and useful stools that we added to our classroom because of you! Now when we work together we can sit right down and get to work, we don't waste time carrying heavy, cumbersome chairs across the room, causing us to lose instructional time. We can also easily move our stools to work in different groups in a matter of seconds for a more flexible work environment.
Having the resources we need to be successful is extremely motivating and uplifting! It shows daily in our effort and attitude in our groups daily.
Thank you for caring enough about us to be so generous and give us the gift of learning, you taught us to be kind and generous to others. We hope to one day make an impact on others like you have for us.
Thank you for our flexible seating again, we will use our stools for YEARS to come!!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Amy Pabon
This classroom project was brought to life by A Philly Special Christmas and one other donor.ELL Collection of Raz Kids/ Learning A-Z
Funded Sep 23, 2021Last year, during the COVID-19 Pandemic, I used Reading A-Z (RAZ) with my students. This year due to funding my school no longer had access. Since I was able to gain access through Donors Choose supporters I was able to purchase the ELL Edition which offers support for English Language Learners which I previously did not have. I am so amazed at the activities and guided lessons with scaffolds that are available on RAZ for my students. It has changed the way I teach and the way I write my lesson plans.
Using RAZ I have been able to use the lessons with visuals and graphic organizers to prepare my students for vocabulary that they will encounter in the classroom. I am able to give my students guided practice using visual supports to teach strategies that they can then transfer back to their classrooms for use with higher level vocabulary and curriculum.
In addition, the support it offers for my lower level English language learners with the various Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing activities are key to further the learning and English Language Skills of my students.
My students also love the ease in which they can easily log in and begin reading books on their level with audio support for reading and support for definitions when needed. It provides them a safe place to practice their reading skills and develop themselves as lifelong learners and readers.
This support has changed the way I structure my lessons for my students and I have seen a difference. I can't thank you enough, but THANK YOU again!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Amy Pabon
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 2 other donors.Mini In Size, Mighty In Impact!
Funded Sep 24, 2021Thank you so much for donating an iPad Mini to my classroom and my students. I teach English Language Learners whom many speak very little to no English when they first start at my school. In my classroom the iPad stays out on the table to provide a tool for the students to use Google Translation at the touch of a button. The students use the device daily to not only communicate with me but also with each other.
During instruction the iPad is also used to translate the directions for the students into multiple languages. Throughout the lesson it is used to provide in the moment access to visuals to support the language and the vocabulary that we are teaching and learning in our lesson. Videos are shown to further enhance the language experience and to bridge the gap while drawing on the students' prior knowledge in their language in conjunction with translation and the visual support.
Having an iPad in the classroom to provide in the moment support is key to being able to further the learning of my English Language Learners. This device allows me as the teacher the connection that I need to build a relationship with my students and gives my students a sense of belonging and of being seen. I use it in every class, every day, and with all my different levels of English Language Learners. It is an invaluable tool for me as a teacher, so THANK YOU again! I couldn't do it without support from Donors like you.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Amy Pabon
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 4 other donors.Monitor-ing Learning
Funded Sep 16, 2020Having a second screen by way of an additional monitor set up to my laptop has been critical in not only helping me teach more effectively but it helps me connect better with my students.
I can easily share one screen while in Google meet and then still have access to manipulate the other to run my classroom and manage my students. I can read the chat, observe behavior, and check for understanding.
When my students know that I can see them and I am not missing a raised hand or a facial expression they feel connected to me as a teacher and the class as a whole.
The bigger monitor also allows me to make the tab as large as I can to ensure that I can see my students better. Teachers that don't have a second screen as always saying I can't see you and miss students raising hands, which can cause students to stop participating and feel invisible. They also miss a confused expression and don't have the opportunity to further explain or teach a concept.
Because of generous donors like you I am able to give my students the best virtual learning experience possible, with fun, face paced and engaging lessons.
Thank you!!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Amy Pabon
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose 20th Anniversary Fund and 2 other donors.Pencil Power
Funded Sep 16, 2020The apple pencil is AMAZING! I was spending hours turning an ordinary document into a writeable one. Since getting the Apple Pencil I no longer have to do that. All I needed was an app on the iPad and I can upload documents and write on them as is. The writing is the same thing I would write as if I were in the building with my students. It is such a time saver for me when planning lessons but also in the class when I am with my students, I move through lessons much faster.
The students love when I share my iPad screen with QuickTime Player and am able to show them a real example up close of how to solve math problems, find evidence in text, write complete sentences, you name it. I love being able to zoom in and show exactly where I found text evidence and then I can easily highlight and underline this for my students to model for them. The ability to model for my students is vital.
All of my students benefit from this technology, but I would say that the small groups of students that I work with daily, especially my Level one and two English Language Students, benefit the most in addition to all of my math groups that I pull. Being able to solve a math problem like I would on a chalk board is what helps my students understand new concepts. Overall my lessons are more interactive, engaging, and fun because of the Apple Pencil.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Amy Pabon
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose 20th Anniversary Fund and one other donor.Crack the Code! We Can Decode!
Funded Oct 17, 2019Making a donation to my classroom and ultimately my students has had such a positive impact on their self esteem. I can not thank you enough!
My student were given new bags to bring their materials to my small group pull out class and new books to read that follow the program that they are learning so that they get real time practice with newly acquired skills.
Getting pulled out of class can at times carry such a stigma that older students don't want to come and therefore don't get the support and intervention that they need. The bags that my students got from this project were able to be personalized and give them such a good feeling carrying them around, so much that they want to come to my classroom and feel special in being chosen to come. I love seeing them happy to see me each day and it makes our time together so special and effective since I know they are giving 150% each time they step in the room.
The chapter books we received were also such a great self esteem and motivation boost for them since they want to read more and not just picture books. They enjoying reading the new books and love coming to class.
Without support from donors like you my students wouldn't have the renewed spark for learning that they have. They have the materials that they need and they know someone cares about them, their education, and their success.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Amy Pabon
Rewarding Recess!
Funded Aug 4, 2014Thank you so much for donating to my classroom! My students are so eager to learn and that doesn't always happen from a book. The lesson that you taught them by donating and showing generosity is far greater than something they could have read about. I know that this act of kindness is something that they will take with them forever as a student and as a person.
The materials that we requested were for recess. Our students get to go outside during nice weather and expend some of their unending energy. Problem is- we only have balls and some basic equipment. The materials that we received will allow us to offer more variety and choices during recess and allow students to actively play together, games including "Red light, Green light" and "Hot Potato". Some of the same games I loved as a child!
When my students saw all of the great materials they couldn't wait to get their hands on it! They wanted to open it immediately and put it together so they could play. They are so eager in every activity and especially love just being kids! It made me happy to be able to show them that people care and that what we do everyday in our classroom is important.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Amy Pabon
Bringing Reading Back! Sit On The Rug and Hands On Your Lap!
Funded Oct 4, 2013My students were ecstatic when they knew our rug and comfortable cushions arrived. We anticipated their arrival and everyday they asked if our ÂÂ"package" had come yet. When they finally saw the rug and cushions for the first time they were so excited they ran to the rug and sat down. Some were so excited that they laid down and starting acting silly rolling around, having fun. They started to look on the map and point out places that they knew and were so excited to show me different places. Finding places on the map was one of the reasons I chose the rug I did as a teacher.
In class we use the rug for a variety of purposes besides sitting down to have circle time. Everyday we sit on the rug to do our lessons, the students love the change from sitting in chairs and it puts them more at ease. The rug is used to find specific letters in states. We were working on the letter "M" so the students found states that started with the letter Â"M"ÂÂ and then they found as many M'ÂÂs as they could all over the rug. We even use the rug to determine a seating chart. I tell students to sit on Alaska, Hawaii, Texas and New York so that they learn map skills to locate the state and have a seat. It is a great learning tool as much as it is a place to sit. And I can'ÂÂt tell you how much the students LOVE sitting on the cushions. It makes them feel special to have such a great place to learn.
Making my classroom an environment where students feel safe and comfortable to take risks and make mistakes so that they grow is what my end goal was. Sure I want the students to be comfortable and have nice things but really it was about showing them that not only does Mrs. Pabon care about you and your education but other people do too! Seeing our rug everyday is a reminder of that to them and they are striving to be better to show me that they appreciate this great gift that they were given.
The entire rug brightens the room and the mood of the students and myself! It is going to be a great year because of the support of family, friends, parents, and supporters that believe in the education of the youth of today and my classroom in particular. THANK YOU!can't”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Amy Pabon