Past projects 77
Creating Spontaneous Art
Funded Oct 26, 2022Every morning I put out a new cartoon for students to draw. As the day wears on, students - and a few teachers - pick up a pencil and sketch. Not all students draw, but very many come by to see what others have drawn. The words of encouragement are exceptional.
Once a sheet is filled with drawings, I hang the sheet on a nearby wall. Presently I have close to two dozen sheets lining the hallway. (Sadly the adhesive wears out and they do fall down).
The hallway is now a gallery of student work. A few students even come by during their lunch break to "finish" their work.
And boy do I hear it if I don't have a fresh sheet ready in the morning. :-)”
With gratitude,
Mr. Maguire
This classroom project was brought to life by Panda Cares and 3 other donors.Shelves And Tables
Funded Sep 12, 2022As you can see in the photos, I have placed the two smaller bookshelves back to back and have placed the table over it. This is now my command center in the classroom. I sit at one end and have all the class material on the top of the table.
In the small bookshelves I have our classroom set of books. Because the shelves are both facing outwards, I can easily distribute books to both sides of my classroom quickly.
The large bookshelf is in the back of the class. I have it festooned with lights. :-)
That bookshelf contains a library of classical literature which students can read at their leisure. Plus it looks so cool! The students say our classroom is fun. I agree, and I owe it all to you.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Maguire
This classroom project was brought to life by Amazon.com, Inc. and 3 other donors.Small Supplies
Funded Sep 12, 2022I can't tell you have important the Puff's tissues were to us in the month of December. As you can see from the picture, I left a box in the middle of the classroom. Students could easily access a tissue whenever they needed one. I'm down to my last box now but at least the worst of the cold/flu season seems to have passed us by.
The students love, love, love the lollipops. I have been giving them out when we have tests. The sugar helps give them a boost but the lolli also them something to fiddle with if a question gets them nervous. Plus the flavors are fun.
I like the erasers and not surprisingly the students are uninterested. :-)
Thankfully there has been few requests for bandages, but when there are the kids all say "cooool!" when I give them their choices.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Maguire
This classroom project was brought to life by Amazon.com, Inc. and 2 other donors.A Festive School Year
Funded Jul 5, 2022A flag in the doorway may not seem like much, but I received so very many comments on the new flags. The flag which was overwhelmingly appreciated was the Cape Verde flag. Several students. as they were passing by, stepped into my room to say "I have never seen my flag in a school before. Thank you." I was both touched and appalled at the same time. Students should see themselves reflected in the school. Thanks to you, this is now happening.
The lights are also a big hit. I leave the white lights up all year. Currently I have the green-orange-purple lights up for an autumnal feel.
As I type this note to you, two students are using the charging cables you purchased. Honestly, this funding package has had a tremendous impact on my students. On their behalf, I thank you.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Maguire
Plugging Back in to Learning
Funded Aug 9, 2021It is hard to explain the importance of the materials you helped purchase. As I write this note to you, I am monitoring a study hall. Two students asked me for a charger for their computers. Thanks to you I was able to give them the devices so that they could do their work.
Just as important are the extension cords and the power strips. I keep two power strips in the center of my classroom. (this is my "command center" for the day). If a students needs a charger for her computer, I run an extension cord from the power strips so that the student can charge without having to move locations closer to an outlet. It may not seem like much, but it goes a long way to keeping normalcy in the classroom while meeting the needs of the child.
On their behalf, I thank you.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Maguire
This classroom project was brought to life by Emerson Collective and one other donor.Resuppling Basics
Funded May 3, 2022Oh my goodness! I cannot possibly replicate the joy and excitement your gifts have already caused my students...and it is only day one. I hung the Haitian flag in my classroom entrance before school started this morning. This month in our city is Haitian Heritage Month and next week is Haitian independence day. So when my Haitian-American students saw the flag, they honestly streaked.
I shall fly the other flags soon and I am confident that there will be similar reactions. Such a little thing like a flag can mean so much to students.
The charges have already been put into use. The markers were all over my board today. Today was a good day. And for that I thank you.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Maguire
This classroom project was brought to life by SONIC Drive-In and 2 other donors.Flags for Our Diverse Community
Funded Jul 6, 2021We all know that flag are used to symbolize a nation or a cause, the flags you purchased for me do that and so much more.
Every day I hang a different flag at the entrance of my classroom. Everyday different students take the time to comment on the flags. The pride and transgendered flags got plenty of foot traffic. Other flags generate questions, like the Washington D.C. flag. I flew this week. Students now know what the flag means, especially as D.C. presses for statehood.
My goal is get the flags to fly on the flagpole outside. For now the flags are the welcome sign for my classroom. They definitely have made the students feel welcome.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Maguire
Good Old Fashioned Games
Funded May 1, 2021After our school building being closed for over a year, it was so refreshing to hear the sounds of joy and laughter from students. I wish it were from learning irregular verbs, but it was all due to your generosity. The students simply love playing Battleship, chess, Othello, and word searches; just to name a few.
At the end of the school day we have an extra period called Activity Block. Students sign up for various activities (extra math help, basketball, study hall, etc...) and every time my Games Activity is always selected and is nearly always full. Honestly, the simplest games are the ones in most demand: Connect Four and UNO.
So thank you once again for your generosity. It is very much appreciated.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Maguire
UV Light
Funded Sep 16, 2020Thank you for your generosity. My students shall return to school this coming Monday. These past few weeks I have been Zoom teaching in my classroom and have been using my spare time to set up for their return. Your UV lights are a comfort to those who are about to return.
The air purifier is the envy of my colleagues. :-) More importantly, the families of my current students are happy to know that the classroom is well prepared. For that I thank you.
Wish us all luck in the coming weeks. We are happy to have you support going back.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Maguire
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose 20th Anniversary Fund and 9 other donors.Midyear Recharge
Funded May 6, 2020I am very happy for your generosity. I hope you use the phone chargers soon. But the truth is with remote learning, the materials you ordered are in my classroom waiting for the students to return. At this point, I don't expect to be back in the classroom anytime soon.
I know the goal is to help students with their learning. While that help is being delayed because of the pandemic, it has to end eventually; and when that day comes, I am sure the students will be thrilled to know that their phones (which have become appendages to them over the past nine month) will be charged while in my class.
My goal with these phone charges is to have the students voluntarily give up their phones for the opportunity to charge them. And if their phones are charging, they are not in their hands while I teach :-)”
With gratitude,
Mr. Maguire
This classroom project was brought to life by SONIC Drive-In and 5 other donors.