Past projects 16
Make Learning Magic with Classroom STEM Transformations
Funded Oct 10, 2018We have had the best time using our Classroom STEM Transformation items. We started in October with a Ghost Hunting experience. Students got to use finger flashlights and find ghosts that were hidden around the room. They had ghost hunting logs where they collected place value data on them as they went on their hunt. I got items for each holiday, and now as March is here we will be making Leprechaun Traps this week and having fun learning with leprechaun shenanigans.
When students first saw the materials they were beyond thrilled! We had a big unboxing party and the kids took turns choosing boxes. They have been excited each month of the year because they know new STEM items will be coming out so they can show their learning.
We are so thankful for your help supporting our classroom. My students are excited and engaged with their learning and its because of donors like you that make this possible or my 2nd graders.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. A.
This classroom project was brought to life by Chevron Fuel Your School.Book Bins for Bookworms
Funded May 13, 2018We are so thankful to have these beautiful book bins in our classroom library! They took us from a disorganized mess to a beautiful, systematic, student-friendly library. My kids now have a system for finding books they like and returning them to the appropriate bin, instead of just shoving books onto a shelf or laying it on top. Our books are staying in better shape and there is more student ownership of our library and the kids take pride in how it looks and want to maintain it.
When my students first saw the library book bins their little jaws dropped and several of them shouted, "It's so beautiful!" They immediately brainstormed ways to organize books and how we should sort them so the class library can be a great learning tool for them. We got the books organized by subject/student interests so if a student wants to find a book about Sports, Christmas, or Science, they'll know exactly where to look.
Thank you for supporting our students and making sure that they not only have books to read, but ways to organize them, keep them in good shape, and come back to check out more books.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. A.
This classroom project was brought to life by SONIC Drive-In and 3 other donors.Rejuvenate. Refresh. Restore. (Our School Supplies!)
Funded May 14, 2018Thank you SO MUCH for helping us finish our school year strong with school supplies. The kids were thrilled when they each got new pencils that had erasers on them. It's the little things like that that make such a big difference every day in our classroom.
With our new materials, we were able to write our animal and habitat reports and get them published into bound books for the students to cherish forever. We had many fun end of the year activities, and students used our new supplies for our Junie B. Jones novel study, Unlocking Summer challenges, and other end of the year fun and learning.
I am so grateful that you too believe education is important up until the last day of school and getting our kids throughout the school year. Your kindness and generosity means the world to them.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. A.
This classroom project was brought to life by SONIC Drive-In and one other donor.Books to Ban Bullies
Funded Apr 17, 2018Reading these books with my students has become one of my favorite classroom routines. In the middle of the day after lunch recess we take the time to read one of our new stories and the kids are never as engaged as they are when we're reading and learning a friendship lesson they can apply later that day. The discussions we have a class have helped improve our classroom community, and slowly but surely I've noticed the messages from the stories come up in the kids' conversations at other parts of our day. Our tattling has decreased, our angry explosions have been more controlled, and kids are starting to be a friend in order to have a friend.
This is not an overnight process, but in these last few weeks with these books I have noticed a small shift with how my class is treating each other, and I am so proud of them. Hearing the students say things like, "Don't squeal unless it's a big deal!" or, "I can handle this kid-sized problem," brighten my day because they are starting to use the social tools they're learning in their stories.
Thank you so much for your support and believing in the difference these books could make for these kids.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. A.
This classroom project was brought to life by SONIC Drive-In and 3 other donors.Makers Gonna MAKErspace
Funded Sep 22, 2017I am so thankful to have so many MakerSpace Materials in our classroom! The kids are so excited for our weekly building time, and we've been able to incorporate it into more and more activities as we continue learning.
After letting kids try out all our new materials for the first few weeks, the students have been able to utilize these resources in free-build time, building challenges, and we even implemented it at our Christmas Party with holiday building cards. If you walk into our room during MakerSpace time you'll see lines of dominoes, towers of Wedgits, winding marble mazes, and student brains analyzing, problem solving, and thinking critically about where the next piece needs to go.
When the boxes started appearing in our classroom, the kids would cheer and were so excited to have the new items added to our supply. We would model how to use it correctly, how to store it correctly, and brainstorm outside the box ways we could use it as well. These were such meaningful conversations to have with the students and it has helped them realize what a privilege these materials are to have and they work hard to take care of them.
After we return from vacation, I plan on adding more direction with our MakerSpace time. I have MakerMats with themed monthly challenges for students to complete, and I'm excited to see them building things like Sleds, Catapults, Windmills, Mailboxes, Leprechaun Traps, and more! The students are so ready and willing to engage with these materials, and I am so thankful for the positive impact MakerSpace has had on my classroom.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. A.
Alternative Seating Stools for Wiggly Students
Funded Oct 17, 2016When the kids first saw our stools, their eyes were so wide with excitement to try them out. We all got in a giant line and got a quick sit on the stool so we could say that everyone had a turn on the first day. They are so careful to make sure they're using our new furniture safely and appropriately because they don't want to lose this awesome privilege!
Our 2nd grade social skills have improved too. Since there are only 6 stools, only 6 kids can use them on any given day. We've improved sharing and communicating our feelings, practicing fairness, and solving problems when they arise. These stools aren't just benefiting the kids academically!
I have noticed a big change with the behavior of my "wiggly" kids-- when it's their day for the stool, I have to manage them less simply because they're getting more energy out throughout the day. The stools have also been beneficial for my taller students because they don't fit in our little blue chairs as well, but the stools are taller and more comfortable for them to do their work in.
Thank you so much for the difference you made in our classroom. I'm continuing on the alternative seating movement and working on more grants for standing desks, bean bags, lap desks, and more. Thank you for giving my kids the opportunity to take control of their learning and make them more successful simply by making them more comfortable on our wobble stools.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. A.