Past projects 4
Building Water Filters - An Iterative Engineering Experience
Funded Feb 22, 2022When we first received the crazy amount of boxes of materials, students' curiosity was already piqued. Then when we opened them, and students didn't immediately know how to use all of the items, they were hooked!
After students read A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park, they understood the need for access to freshwater for all people. Students learned about amounts of freshwater vs saltwater and where it's stored, and they learned about their own water footprint and reduction techniques.
Students could have easily been told how a water pump worked and they would have technically understood it. With these materials, students were able to experientially understand a water pump and how that could help communities around the world receive freshwater. They used the engineering design process in groups to design, build, test, and modify their pumps until they worked. Students were able to persevere through failures and find success.
Without these materials they would have not experienced this lesson in the same way nor gained more confidence in the saying, "Failure is NOT final." Thank you for your donations! Feel free to visit this link to see more pictures in action. https://twitter.com/BethBuehler/status/1518764785072062466”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Buehler
Graphic Novels to Guide Social Growth
Funded Mar 2, 2020Thank you so much for these great graphic novels! These are wonderful additions to my book club rotations because I didn't have very many graphic novels in my classroom library in general and definitely didn't have class sets of any.
Although I was hoping to use these last spring, school was cancelled, so I was unable to use them in my classroom last year. This year, I am hoping to use them to kick off book clubs in my classroom. Book clubs are small groups of students (six or less) that read the same book and look for ways the author uses writing strategies or ways the story connects with the reader's life. After they have read the book, students come together with the teacher and have a discussion about the book, just like if any adult were a part of a book club. The teacher is there just as an observer. This helps students have ownership over their reading and the discussion that takes place after reading.
This specific set of graphic novels are a wonderful way to kick off book clubs because even students that are not super strong readers will be able to finish the book in the allotted time and participate fully in the conversation. The topics of these books are all about fitting in and that is the best way to start a school year - to have real conversations about how everyone has a place in our classroom no matter who they are. I am excited to use these books with my students!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Buehler
This classroom project was brought to life by A group of anonymous donors and 2 other donors.3D Bits and Pieces
Funded Aug 13, 2019Students in our class have been enjoying printing using the 3D printer. So far, each child has gotten to design a small piece on Tinkercad and we are working through getting them all printed. We also were able to print plane fuselages so that students could design and test paper wings to learn about the forces of flight.
Without your donation, our 3D printer would have sat silent in the corner with no filament. The kids are excited to watch new things come to life right before their very eyes. I believe this really helps the students experience technology that they otherwise would only be able to watch in videos. Now they can design, print, evaluate and redesign projects as necessary truly engaging in 21st century skills.
We look forward to designing and printing more things in the future. Thank you again for your donations to our classroom and the many others you have helped to support in our building!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Buehler
This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and one other donor.Building Character through Beautiful Picture Books
Funded Jul 25, 2018We have been greatly blessed to have these new books in our classroom. We have been using them to start our weeks with a picture book to talk about topics such as belonging, kindness, and even how to solve conflict so far this year. We read a book, talk about what topics show up in the book, and then discover how the characters in the book either exemplify or lack the quality.
Later in the week, students then assess themselves on how they are doing at the specific quality. Are they including others? Are they being kind? Are they good at solving conflicts? Then they set a personal goal, and we work together to come up with strategies to reach their goals. We watch short videos and read and dissect quotes that go along with the themes we are discussing. Near the end of the week, they assess how they did meeting their goal and how they can work to meet their goal even better.
The students love it when I pick up a book and even cheer when they see that I have a picture book in my hand to read. I love their enthusiasm!
It has made an impact in my classroom, but has also spread to times when they are under specials teachers care and in the cafeteria. Just last week, my students were recognized over the announcements by the PE teacher for making sure that students from a special education class in their PE class fit in during a volleyball unit. That was thanks to reading Big Al...a book that YOU helped to purchase! Thank you for making a difference in my classroom that I'm sure will last a lifetime in the character of these 21 students!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Buehler