Past projects 17
Pulling Up and Up and Up!
Funded May 18, 2017In can't believe you got my project funded! This is amazing! I love you all! With these new bars we can continue to learn more and more about fitness, scaling, and more! You are turning my students into the fittest on earth! My students and I thank you! Awesome!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Duenas
Ring In The New Year
Funded Feb 21, 2017There are really no words I can use to describe how much you have made a difference in my gymnasium. It's been a hard start these past two years to shift the students mentality from "Gym Class" to incorporating modern fitness methods and techniques into a student's weekly routine. It is beyond important for students to have a basis of understanding for appropriate fitness and these rings are one of many ways that I can continue to promote success at all skill levels.
After hanging the rings from the rafters, it was only a matter of days before we started a 2 week upper body unit where we focuses on shoulder mobility, arm strength, and proper gymnastics form. Many of the students mastered strict pull-ups, kipping pull ups, L-sits, and more. We learned about scaling workouts to fit their ability levels and we also used CHALK, LOTS OF CHALK!
THe next step for our gym is a project utilizing pull-up bars. I've put in for 4 pull-up bars and several assistance bands. It is a natural transition from the rings to the bars, and we are lacking in the pull up bar department. If you're feeling extra generous, please check out my project "Pulling up and up and up" to help continue furthering these student's knowledge of fitness.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Duenas
This classroom project was brought to life by ESPN and 12 other donors.The Ultimate Circuit Training Equipment
Funded Nov 29, 2016Never have I had a project funded that has affected my students so much. These bikes have been a total hit with grades 3 and above! Not only did the students get to build the bikes themselves, they have been using them on a daily basis. Just today my 8th graders had a "Calorie Race", working in groups of two, they had 5 minutes to see who could burn the most calories as a team.
I can't say this enough, my students love the bikes! They ask me every single day if they can ride them. I've begun planning a "leaderboard" for grades 3-8 to see which classes can burn the most calories, and which team of two burns the most calories as well. This is one big success story. I have both parents and teachers thanking me for introducing the students to fitness at an earlier age. These kids are going to be ready for high school, college, and beyond!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Duenas
Kickin' It Like Soccer!
Funded Sep 4, 2015I wanted to reach out to you all to give you an update on all of the Soccer Equipment that YOU helped fund. With our first quarter down and our second quarter in full swing, this equipment is getting used like crazy! The students were so excited to see such amazing and professional equipment at their school, they felt like pro's themselves! Students are coming out of their shells and appreciating a sport that isn't just basketball.
Students are utilizing footwork and speed in their drills. They are doing soccer drills without even questioning it! They love using the equipment that much. The best part is that there is enough to go around which minimizes the "wait in line" aspect that so many students have to deal with when resources are limited.
With the excitement up for soccer, possibilities are endless and I am being bombarded with students who want to join outside of school. This is all thanks to you, my friend!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Duenas
Bring The Beat Back!
Funded Jan 27, 2015When I walk the halls carrying this boombox (which I use both in the gym and in the classroom), it still, to this day, gets oo's and ah's. "What is that?", "Is that a laser?", "That thing is awesome!". The students wouldn't be saying this if it wasn't for your generous donation.
Our classroom speakers can get a little on the quiet side, which can be a pain when a bunch of talkative 6th graders are trying to watch a movie and lose interest because "IS THIS IS LOUD AS IT GOES???" is constantly being asked. Well, now it feels like every video sends us to the IMAX theaters and everyone can hear every word uttered. It's fantastic!
Down in the gym, this boombox provides the music we need to get our bodies in motion. THe Ramones "Beat on the Brat" blares while we play Mushroom Ball (Look it up, it's great!) and House music gives us energy for our warm up. Just yesterday we were able to hear the beeps and sounds for the Pacer Test, and today this boombox was our source of sound for the 6th grade dance. There really isn't anything this little boombox CAN'T do when it comes to audio, and my students and I thank you for your gift!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Duenas
Help Us Prepare For Battle!
Funded Nov 23, 2014When the students first saw the battle ropes, they were blown away. Surprisingly the 5th graders took to them so well and wanted to use them right away. In the pictures, you'll see my 7th graders using them during one of our "boot camp" fitness days. One of the first days we used them was in my 5th grade class. The students all had yoga mats, and were in a circle around the room. I would call students up individually to use the ropes with different techniques (lion tamer, rope slams, snakes) while the other students had the option of doing push ups or jumping jacks. My only rule is that when we do battle ropes, we MUST listen to heavy metal. The students are loving the ropes so know that your donations went to a worthy cause!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Duenas
Help Me Get My Students the Fitness Equipment They Need!
Funded Aug 4, 2014My students are avid basketball fans and players and as soon as school began, I showed them the plyometric boxes that you had funded us with...They were amazed! My school is an inner city school with almost no budget, especially not for the gym. I am so thankful that these students are able to train using professional equipment! I mean, these are the same kind of boxes that NBA athletes use! We introduced them to the boxes on the first day and a quick demo, but today we put them to work! We held our own little NFL Combine in the gym, testing a variety of different athletic skills. One of these stations (and of course, the most popular station) was the Plyo Box station.
The confidence this piece of equipment breeds is immeasurable. Some of my female students were so scared to attempt anything past the 2nd box, however with a little motivation, some of them made it to the 5th box! We can't thank you enough for your generous donation, you have really made a difference in these students' lives by giving them a chance to train like their favorite sports heroes.
As you can see from the pictures I uploaded, these students had fun and got a fantastic workout in the process. Most of them were dripping in sweat by the end of class (something that, as a PE teacher, really makes me proud) and were already asking when they could use the boxes again. I guess I'm going to start having to look up more and more fun activities!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Duenas