Past projects 4
Coding Robots for Kids
Funded Dec 13, 2021I can't even do justice to describing the excitement from all of the students at PS 160 when they saw the new technology brought to their classrooms. When I first wheeled in the cart filled with coding robots, there was over-arching joy heard through the hallways. Each class had been experiencing unplugged coding and basic coding on their chromebook devices, but hands on coding using these roots has been thrilling.
Individually, in small groups, and by class the students have been designing codes for the robots to follow and basic tasks for them to perform. They have explored different combinations and sequences to improve their ideas and they have been collaboritively thinking about more ways to utilize the robots in our school.
We look forward to many more adventures with our new coding robots and can't thank you enough for your contribution to our learning and exploration.
Thank you, thank you thank you!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Cairo
This classroom project was brought to life by Con Edison and 6 other donors.Learning With Fire...Kindles That Is!
Funded Jan 30, 2019I want to start by thanking you for the donation to this project. The students in my classroom were thrilled to receive this new technology and couldn't wait to use it in the classroom. At the first sight of this new technology, the students forgot about the "learning" involved and wanted to "play" with the new devices. Little did they realize, the playing was the learning and they were enjoying this new way of concept development.
In addition to the many great resources we now have access to, the students are currently using the Kindle Fires for math practice as we prepare for our upcoming math state test. The students have access to activities that allow them to scan QR codes and check their mathematical thinking. The students have books at their fingertips that can be read to them and ask them questions to gain comprehension. The students can practice multiplication facts and research on websites to gain more information. The students are learning in ways that they didn't know they could.
Many of the students in my class have access to technology outside of the classroom, but they were not aware of how it can be used in the classroom. Thanks to you, the students now have new opportunities in school that will enhance their learning experiences and will allow them further access into to world of our future.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Cairo
This classroom project was brought to life by Verizon and 5 other donors.Technology for Growing Minds
Funded Jan 30, 2017I'd like to start this letter by saying a sincere thank you to you for your generous contribution to technology in my classroom. Before this project was funded, my classroom only had three old desktop computers. With the addition of just five chrome books, it feels as though there is a wealth of technology now available to the students.
The addition of these five chrome books has given my students many more opportunities to utilize technology directly in our classroom. We now have access to more students on programs like iReady, ThinkCentral, and MyOn at the same time. The students have also had more opportunities to work together in groups at tables surrounding one computer to get information for a project.
The most exciting aspect of these new computers in our classroom is that no other K-3 classroom has this available to them. My students are now able to do more in less time than they were before and they love that they can get comfortable around the room with their headphones on and their computer in their laps.
I have found that there are days that students who would not normally pick up a book to read are asking to read on the chrome book. They are asking to use the computers and programs more than ever now that we have more available.
Again, thank you for the donation to technology for young students. I do truly appreciate it and I know my students do as well. I don't even have the time to implement all of the wonderful things that I can now do with the addition of these chrome books, but rest assured that the students in my class will benefit greatly.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Cairo
This classroom project was brought to life by Google.org and 12 other donors.Sit, Stand, Kneel, Bounce...Flexible Seating Choices
Funded Feb 7, 2017I have to start by expressing my gratitude for your generosity. It humbles me to think that there are people out there willing to contribute to a child's education, without that child being their own. On top of that, without even knowing the children being impacted by your support. I took a chance asking for these donations for my classroom and I was overwhelmed by the donations received and by how quickly they were donated too.
The students in my classroom are benefiting greatly from the items that we received. On top of the four stability balls included in this project, I went to buy a few more for my students because they were loved and being utilized so well. Every item from this project (stability balls, kneeling mats, seat cushions, wobble chairs, and fidget toys) is being used every day to it's full potential. The students ask for a fidget toy to help them concentrate when they are struggling. They ask to move to a different seat if they are not able to work at their best ability level at the seat they have chosen.
When I first introduced these items to my students, they reacted with excitement and enthusiasm. We are now over a month into using these in the classroom and the excitement has not worn off. Everyday the students come to school thrilled to chose a seat for the day. As we continue to progress through the school year, I am noticing more and more thought out decisions when the students are choosing the seat. I have noticed that there are less arguments over what seat is the most popular and less distractions for the students. I have also noticed a sense of comfort-ability in the classroom that I didn't really feel before. The students now have the opportunity to get comfortable to work rather than to sit in a chair that hurts all day.
As an additional note, this idea of flexible seating has become quite a hit in our school. We were the first classroom in our building to have this option of flexible seating and now many other teachers are trying to invest in this opportunity for their students as well.
Thank you again for your contribution. I could not have done this without you.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Cairo