Past projects 7
Build Our Pride Month Book Collection
Funded Mar 30, 2023Thank you so much for donating to this project. My students loved having the new books and they were consistently being checked out through the end of the year. Independent reading time had even better engagement than before after students found they were able to request books and receive so many of them.
Now, beginning a new year with new students, I am finding that these titles continue to be popular choices. I am really grateful for your support and encouragement of this group of 4th graders.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Weaver
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 2 other donors.Read Around the Room
Funded Sep 23, 2021Thank you so much for donating to this project to provide flexible seating options to my students. We divided all the seats up into two groups: some they can check out and use at their desks and some that live around the room for them to use when they move. Students have loved having plenty of choices when reading and have been steadily improving with their ability to find a comfortable place and stay focused for an extended period of time.
As pieces of this grant came in, students were always looking forward to the next new piece of furniture. It was always a race to see something new and be the first to get to use it. Donating to this project helped me give my students choice while working towards reading for a long time, but it also filled my students with excitement. Thank you so much for your part in that.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Weaver
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 4 other donors.More Manga and Graphic Novels!
Funded May 4, 2021Thank you so much for donating to this project. It has had a wonderful impact on my students' desire to read, both for the group I originally requested the items for and for my new group of students.
Our district has a big push for helping students find good, high-interest books this year. Students spend time daily reading from their stack of books and they are able to check out books from me and the school library. Although I don't teach lessons directly from these books, they are all constantly checked out and being enjoyed by students. The shelf they belong on is usually bare!
Thank you for helping students love to read by providing them new, high-interest options. One of my favorite parts of being a teacher is seeing students enjoying books because I know it has a lifelong impact.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Weaver
This classroom project was brought to life by SONIC Drive-In and 4 other donors.A Quest for Recess Games
Funded Feb 19, 2020Unlike many of my other projects, I didn't tell the student that I was doing this one. When a whole bunch of new games arrived, the whole classroom cheered! We've been slowly learning how to play in the mornings and students are teaching their friends how to play at recess.
I have loved using these new games to spend some small group time with my students while they eat breakfast. A few students a day are coming over and hanging out with me and having fun while the other students do their morning work. They really enjoy being chosen and getting to be an expert on their new game. During recess, students are opting into the new games over old favorites. They're building better relationships and new skills together.
My future plans for the materials include starting a game club. I've thought about starting one all year, but haven't felt like I had enough for them to do. Now that I have all of these new games, I don't have any excuse. I'm looking forward to playing together with students after school.
Thank you so much for helping me to connect better with my students and helping my students connect better with one another. We are really having fun together thanks to your generosity.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Weaver
Engaging EdTech for Eager Learners
Funded Dec 4, 2019Thank you so much for donating to this project. I've been doing the free trial of the Premium version of Pear Deck and it has already helped me meet my students needs better than I could before.
Students have started checking in during Morning Work with a quick note about how they're doing through a Pear Deck slide. I've made so many more connections and supported many more students now that I have a running list of their concerns on my iPad. They love that they can send quick notes to me, without other students being able to see. It makes them feel more loved and supported and makes me feel like a more effective instructor. Students have also really gotten into our daily appreciation slide and worked hard to compliment and lift one another up daily. They can't wait to see which student's name will appear on the screen and everyone has been positive and encouraging.
Of my actual teaching, my Math instruction has probably benefited the most. I am able to keep track of any students work anywhere in the room and adjust my instruction. Students have really grown from seeing high quality examples of student work on their screens. They love seeing their work chosen and displayed as an exemplar, and I love that I can do it with two quick clicks from my iPad.
I can't wait to see what more wonderful things we can do with this program. Thank you for supporting my students. I know this isn't a typical grant, but I really believe this will have a huge impact on my students' growth and sense of community. I'm can't think you enough for this gift.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Weaver
This classroom project was brought to life by Verizon and 3 other donors.Research and Collaboration with Technology
Funded Jan 28, 2016My students have loved having this iPad as a constant resource in our classroom. We haved used it to answers all kinds of questions that come out of our reading and discussions, like, "What can a person who is vegan eat or wear?" We have also used the iPad for research projects, like finding out last minute facts about European explorers for a speech. The latest craze is audiobooks and ebooks using OverDrive and our Indianapolis Public Library account.
You have contributed so much to the learning and joy of our community and I truly appreciate your generosity.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Weaver
This classroom project was brought to life by IPS Education Foundation and 5 other donors.Engaging Students with Chess
Funded Jan 1, 2016Thank you so much for donating to our classroom. The students were so excited by the arrival of our chess boards. For two weeks, we played at every opportunity and they begged to continue! Students still regularly take magnetic boards down to the cafeteria to play through their lunch.
We've learned a lot about teaching one another and about problem solving and planning. We started a chess club during lunch, which has just started including students from other classes. We've really loved this time to bond, share, and learn.
The books provided us lots of training exercises that have improved all of our skills. We've also started doing a set of chess puzzles once a week for morning work.
My students are excited, invested, and growing stronger as a community thanks to your generosity.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Weaver