Past projects 49
Breaking Out of the Mold
Funded Aug 20, 2017I cannot thank you enough for your generous donation to our classroom project, "Breaking out of the Mold." The students are now understanding the concept behind a STEAM project and how to go through the engineering cycle, so we took a step back to revisit the concepts of perseverance, commitment, attitude, and teamwork. Students were thrilled to hear that we were bringing an escape room into our classroom! While some students already knew about escape rooms, some did not, but the common theme afterwards was they all were begging for more.
Our first Breakout Edu game was Turkey Trouble, which included trying to pardon Tom the Turkey for Thanksgiving. This game led to great discussions of vocabulary and communication, fine motor, and critical thinking skills. All too often students expect black and white answers. They want a specific way to solve a problem as a quickly as possible. However, that does not work in this exercise. The clues allowed students to think outside-of-the box and figure out how parts of a puzzle that do not seem to fit together at all, actually do. While some groups took longer than others to solve the clues, it wasn't about the amount of time spent on the clues, but the feeling of success that each group had once they worked together and solved a clue.
My favorite part was when one group broke out of their box and a student shouted, "See! I told you we could persevere!" This was so great to hear! This exercise showed so many students that it is ok if it "doesn't come easy to them" because not everything in school and life is going to be easy. Instead, it is how you deal with the difficult situations that make you stronger. This was the perfect recap that led our group discussions at the end of each class.
I cannot wait to see what other experiences these Breakout Edu kits bring into my STEAM classroom. I appreciate your support this school year and for so many more school years to come!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Ballou
This classroom project was brought to life by An Anonymous Funder and 2 other donors.Imagineering With STEAM
Funded Aug 12, 2017Thank you so much for you donation to our classroom project, "Imagineering With STEAM". During the first few weeks of school, as students were being introduced to the concept of STEAM, they did not understand that we would not be doing your typical assessments in this classroom. No tests or quizzes or vocabulary that you have to memorize. Instead, we talked about how we take problems and provide solutions to them. There are no mistakes in STEAM because even if something doesn't work like you expect, it's a learning moment. Students were floored by this idea.
Ever since that day, I have had students walk through my door excited about what we're going to do next. Kindergarten, first, and second grade students have worked together to build houses for the "Three Little Pigs" to keep them safe from the Big Bad Wolf. Before this project, I would not have had the supplies to provide students this opportunity. They all squealed with excitement as our "wolf" (a hairdryer) showed up to class to try to blow down their houses.
As students get older they can struggle with using their imagination because they are constantly answering questions that have only one answer. However, STEAM drives this creative type of thinking. It has been so fun to see my third, fourth, and fifth graders use recyclable materials along with materials received from this project, to discuss how we can help the environment by re-using materials to build new things. We're currently working on wind-powered cars, as we talk about renewable energy sources, simple machines, and more. The best part, is each of their designs are very different from each other.
None of these experiences would be possible without each of you! I appreciate your support in this new program. Each of you plays a big role in my students' educational experiences and I couldn't thank you more.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Ballou
This classroom project was brought to life by Tom's of Maine and 6 other donors.Collaborating in Flexible Seating
Funded Aug 20, 2017I want to express my appreciation to each of you for your generous donation to our classroom project, "Collaborating in Flexible Seating". The materials truly allowed my STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math) classroom to come together at the start of the school year.
When students walked in for their first day of STEAM, they were so excited to see a room set up very differently from their normal classroom. I had students say to me, "Do you know that the legs are missing on your table?" and "Did you mean for those tables to be so high?" or "Can we really use those yoga mats?!" Since students come into my room to do hands-on projects each week, they love the flexibility that the seating choices offer them. They are able to move around the room, sit on cushions, or stand as they piece their project together. It has been a great feeling to watch students be comfortable in their learning environment and be productive on their projects at the same time.
Part of the STEAM curriculum is thinking creatively and pushing the limits to what students know. The logic puzzles from this project have done just that. We spent a few class periods learning about the various games we had available in our classroom. This way, when students finish a project early, there is always something for them to do. It was so much fun to see students so excited to play games that used math and science concepts without them even realizing it. I had students making mazes on the magnetic board and figuring out how to change the trajectory of the marble, so that it would make it to the final slot without falling off. They were cheering each other on and talking through the puzzles together.
It has been an amazing feeling to hear the students whisper to each other about how much they love this classroom! This is what school is all about, connecting curriculum to hands-on experiences. Each of you have played a huge part of this role for my classroom, and I could not thank each of you enough!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Ballou
This classroom project was brought to life by An Anonymous Funder and 11 other donors.Learning Comes to Life With Legos
Funded Dec 2, 2016I want to thank each of you for choosing to make your donation to Room 22 and, "Learning Comes to Life with Legos." The students were thrilled to see that we were getting so many Legos to extend our learning. Last year I started to intentionally integrate math and science together, and this year my goal was to make these subjects come to life more in their projects. Every student can relate to Legos and building as a younger child, so it makes the learning even more fun!
We first started to use Legos in math, so students could get a feel for how they can be used in a multitude of ways. In our unit on measurement, we focused on area, perimeter, and volume. The Legos provided the perfect tool for students to visually see the difference between the three measurements. They even combined their structures to show how perimeter can become area and area can become volume. The concepts really clicked for them when we did this!
In addition to Legos, we received Makey Makeys, snap circuits, and safety goggles. In fifth grade, we are reviewing for our math and science SOLs. These tools are going to help us review light, sound, and electricity. Students are so excited to embark on a project where they get to take any object and turn them into a musical instrument using the Makey Makeys and Scratch, which is an online coding program for kids. They will also explore the uses of electricity and different types of circuits by using the snap circuit kit. This kit allows students to create over 750 projects, which gives them endless options for creativity!
I am working with my co-teacher, who teaches the language arts and social studies to reach across the curriculum to review for the fourth graders' social studies SOL. They will be creating dioramas to illustrate important 20th century Americans. They will be using the Makey Makeys to code their pre-written scripts in Scratch. That way when they connect the wires, individuals can learn about their 20th century American just by touching a part of the diorama, then the Scratch programming will read the information to them. The students are so excited to learn about this technology!
All of my students are so excited to continue to think outside of the box in their learning. I am thankful that each of you helped me provide them with this opportunity! We cannot thank each you enough!!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Ballou
Documenting the Future
Funded Jan 25, 2016Thank you so much for supporting our project, "Documenting the Future". The students were beyond excited to see the document camera in the box. They are still in awe of the fact that some of the donors do not even know them. This motivates them even more to be successful in school. Technology is ever changing in education, and I am so lucky to be able to expose my students to this.
We use the document camera in class daily. It helps in so many different facets. I am able to hook the device into my computer to display things on my Promethean Board. This way all of the students are getting a visual of the directions, notes, and examples in class. It has helped my students who sit in the back of the classroom, tremendously. Before, I would always get responses about how they could not see or ask me to repeat directions two, three, even four times. I am able to cut down on the amount of times I am giving directions, thus allowing more time for teaching and completing hands-on activities.
The students love to interact with the document camera too. They are able to put their own work under the document camera to display for all students to see. This is extremely helpful in both 4th and 5th grade math classes because we discuss a lot about how sometimes there is more than one strategy for answering a question. Students are able to bring their work up to the board and have it with them as they explain their strategy to the rest of the class. The document camera also comes with a feature where students can write on the Promethean Board at the same time. The students absolutely love this! It gives them a new outlet to learning and explaining their thinking. We all thank you for giving us the opportunity to expand our learning and integration of technology!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Ballou
May the STEM Projects Be With You
Funded Dec 22, 2015I cannot thank each of you enough for supporting our project, "May the STEM Projects Be With You!" The pictures help to capture just how excited each student was when we got to break open the boxes of supplies. My goal this year was to integrate the math and sciences together, so that students understand how much the two subjects relate to each other. When the students found out that we have more supplies for STEM projects that were so excited to dig in.
The fourth graders are going to be moving on to their plant unit in a few weeks. As we were discussing the different projects that were supplied from your donations, they were thrilled to learn that there is an entire STEM project on plants! They can't wait to see the life cycle of plants first hand. I can show them pictures all the time, but it is a special experience to be able to grow plants in the classroom and see how they change daily. I know that this project will truly help them internalize the information.
In fifth grade we're working hard reviewing both fourth and fifth grade science for their SOL test in a few weeks. We will be able to pull out the Motors Kit for students to be able to visualize how electricity can power motors. It is an amazing cross-curricular concept that can be so hard to teach through paper and pencil notes. All of these supplies have and will continue to allow my students to get out of their seats and learn through hands-on activities. For that we owe you so many thank-yous!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Ballou
This classroom project was brought to life by Disney and 4 other donors.Math Mania
Funded Sep 10, 2015Thank you so much for supporting our project, "Math Mania". When the packages arrived in our classroom curiosity starting buzzing throughout the room. They were so excited that people they had never met cared enough about them to donate to our classroom. When we opened up the packages they were so excited to see it was filled with math games. My students love math and playing games that connect to their learning. Since I teach both fourth and fifth grade math, the games cover concepts over both grades. Also my fifth graders learn half of sixth grade math this year, and I'm so excited that the games even cover these concepts as well.
During our math block each day students get to work in stations to practice what we are currently learning. Most of the time, one of the stations uses games to get the students practicing the skills without realizing their doing math. As soon as I introduced the games in my fourth grade math class they were thrilled to get started. Not only were they practicing their multiplication facts, but they are learning how to work as a group to get to the final product. Transitioning from individual to group activities can be hard for some students and content games are a great way to get them practicing without even knowing it.
As we get further into the school year these are wonderful because they allow students to continue practicing learned concepts. Too often students only remember a skill for the test and quickly forget it when we move on to a new concept. With the games being pre-made it helps save me so much planning time to be able to pull them for students who are struggling with review. Instead of having to wait days for a review game, students can immediately go over to the game shelf and pull a game that helps them. Because of each one of I am able to devote more time developing strategies to help my students and less time at the copier and laminator making games.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Ballou
Bring Science to Life through STEM!
Funded Aug 28, 2015Thank you so much for supporting our project, "Bring Science to Life through STEM!". The students were so happy to see tubs of science materials arrive in our classroom. When we opened up the packages they were elated to see the tubs were split by unit, which allows the surprise to be spread throughout the year. Since I teach both fourth and fifth grade science, both classes are able to benefit from this project because the science tubs are split between fourth and fifth grade Virginia SOLs.
Since the science tubs are divided by unit it allows me to easily pull materials that we are currently learning. For example, the fifth grade students are currently learning about living systems, particularly cells and the parts of a cell. This can be a hard unit to provide hands-on experiences due to the nature of the material. If you don't have access to microscopes, then you can only show students pictures of cells. While they think the pictures are so cool, there's something special about being able to learn how to handle a microscope and look at the parts of a cell. They feel like they are already middle-schoolers!
The fourth graders are jumping for joy that we have just started a unit (Solar Systems) that includes a science tub. Children are so enthralled about outer space and they keep begging me to break open the tub to start activities. Since they now have a background on the planets, sun, and Earth's moon, they are going to get their wish. I can't wait to see how much they learn from the 8 hands-on science labs that are provided in the tub. They also provide materials to help students understand how the phases of the moon work. It can be hard to actually realize that the moon is not disappearing in the sky, and is still there in one whole piece! Their minds will be churning over the next few weeks after winter break!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Ballou
Reading, Writing, and Editing, Oh My!
Funded Dec 2, 2013Thank you so much for supporting our project, "Reading, Writing, and Editing, Oh My!". The students were extremely excited to see boxes full of supplies enter the classroom. When we opened them up to see all of the goodies inside, there were squeals of joy! Each one of them has worked so hard on their writing skills during fifth grade. We use a lot of mentor texts to demonstrate what creative and proper writing techniques look like. Having more mentor texts, like Dragons Love Tacos and Thank You, Mr. Falker gives them more opportunities to see and emulate fantastic writing.
All of the construction paper and crafting supplies are going to allow them to write their own book. We are in the middle of the writing process now. They are working hard on creating comics, plays, and more. This outlet has let their creative juices flow! It is a great reminder to them about how fun the writing process can be. Writing is not just about essays and tests, but rather developing characters and emotions in stories that we tell and write.
Having all of these wonderful resources has helped me become a better teacher because I am able to demonstrate proper writing techniques in everyday writing. Students are constantly bogged down with testing and testing-like practice worksheets. Having mentor texts and practicing writing their own books has allowed them to see a different side to learning. I can find the joy in teaching and they can find the love of learning again through this project. We are all very excited to see how their final projects turn out!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Ballou
This classroom project was brought to life by an anonymous donor and 8 other donors.