Past projects 6
Making More Memories
Funded Aug 28, 2022I want to thank you for all the tools donated to our library to support students interested in making quilts. Our library purchased two large cutting mats, three rotary cutters, two quilter squares, and two boxes of bags used to store materials. These extra tools now allow me to support three students at a time in this project.
Three students made a total of four t-shirt quilts last May. I am hoping for at least five students this year. A few students have already brought in t-shirts to cut up and store until they find some more t-shirts at home. They think this is pretty cool. It is nice that we can start so early. This allows the other students to see the process and, hopefully, realize they want to make a t-shirt quilt too!
I have attached pictures of the items purchased from Donors Choose. I have attached photos of the students cutting up their quilts. Since my students have not had the time to complete any quilts this year, I am sending pictures from May 2022 of the students and their finished quilts. Thank you again for your generosity!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Fugiett
This classroom project was brought to life by Bill Gates and one other donor.Making Sew Many Memories!
Funded Oct 26, 2021I want to thank you again for your donation to this Sew Many Memories project. My students have been collecting their T-shirts and bringing them into school. I have attached pictures of two students working on one of the quilts. Once the other students saw these two working, they started talking about their blankets. I am trying to stress the fact they shouldn't wait until the last month of school!!!
One student said he is taking his blanket to college to use. Another one is excited to use all of her band t-shirts to make a quilt. I am sure these blankets will last for many years.
I really appreciate your willingness to donate to a project that goes beyond the classroom. Thank you again!!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Fugiett
This classroom project was brought to life by Emerson Collective and 3 other donors.Welcome to Our Library Media Center!
Funded Feb 10, 2021Thank you again for your generous donation to my Donors Choose Project called "Welcome to our Library Media Center!" Our Library has went through a drastic change over the past year as we consolidated our 7-8 graders from the county into our high school. Our students love the new decorations, especially the people reading statues. I have seen students cluster in groups and call other students over to look at the new decor. In February, we used the red table runners to help spruce up a romance book display for the high school side of the Library. I bought some spring posters for $0.50 each at a flea market and they look terrific in the new frames purchased from this project. They will line a row of bookshelves I have that create a boundary between the lockers and the Library. Some of my students competed in a Snowman book competition and I was able to accentuate their snowmen with the snowflakes that were donated. It may seem like trivial items but they all add to the atmosphere of a welcoming, comfortable and fun place to be. These items grab the attention of the students and then they look at the books that are displayed too!
Thank you again for your support!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Fugiett
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Board in honor of Jonathan Alter and 3 other donors.Taking Booktalks to a Whole New Level!
Funded Aug 6, 2019The materials purchased in this project were used in booktalks. The kids loved using the new equipment. The students helped set up the screen and lights. This helped students learn how to do things right the first time. It was a new experience to me so we learned what worked and what didn't along the way as we created these booktalks.
Although the students didn't realize it, their writing skills improved in this activity. Their words had to be direct, concise and carefully chosen. Not to mention, the words had to be entertaining. It was neat to watch the students create their booktalk blurb in partners realizing the rest of the school would have access to watch them.
The final projects were so neat. The girl in the last uploaded picture wanted her scene to be black and white to portray the eerie feeling the book had. Students used their creativity and imagination in so many ways. I am so grateful for your support of this project. We have so many more ideas now on how else to use this equipment throughout the year. Thank you again! We appreciate your generosity.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Fugiett
This classroom project was brought to life by Tyson Foods and 3 other donors.Bringing Stories to Life!
Funded Feb 8, 2017Thank you all again for believing in my project: Bringing Stories to Life. I have wanted to implement a puppet theater and puppets for years and it is now a reality. This projects ties literature and arts together perfectly.
The students were so excited when I showed them the new materials. Of course, they immediately all started talking at once. Their eyes lit up and everyone wanted to be chosen right away for their turn at the theater. I gave every student two puppets to hold so they could at least be part of the activity for a few moments.
I had the class help me set up rules and procedures. Since they have ownership in this process, they are more apt to follow all rules! So far, some of my kindergarten students have acted out these stories: The Frog Prince, The Three Billy Goats Gruff and The Three Little Pigs. Students in first grade just heard the Big Bad Wolf's side of the story and acted that version out. Students in second grade have been able to use this as one of their centers in the library. Their fairy tale unit was in the fall so I am allowing them to use their imagination. I caught one girl reading a story to the puppeteers and they were acting it out as she read. Now that's collaboration!
We have already had so much fun, creative, and teachable moments with these new materials and we have only been using them a month! I can't wait to see what the future holds. Thank you again for your generous donation and support.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Fugiett
This classroom project was brought to life by an anonymous donor and 4 other donors.Making Stories Come Alive!
Funded Dec 2, 2016I would like to sincerely thank you again for your generous donation to my project: Making Stories Come Alive! The idea of implementing a puppet theater into our school library has been a thought of mine for over 15 years. You made that thought a reality. The arts and literature tie so closely together. This puppet theater and the puppets I received are going to be used so much on a weekly basis.
When I showed my K-2 classes the puppets and theater, they all had the same reaction: elation. Their faces lit up with smiles, they clapped, they yelled and they all started talking at once! I have almost 50 puppets so I was able to give each student 2 puppets to hold and play with. Of course, everyone wanted a turn with the theater on the first day!
After lots of discussion, the students helped me create a list of rules and procedures for the theater and puppets. These lists are a work in progress, the more we use the materials, the more we realize how the lists may need to be revised. Since receiving the materials, I have asked students to use the puppets to retell a story they are familiar with. They are not quite ready to create their own stories in the time allotted so far. Once students check out new books, they may choose to read independently, read in groups or visit the theater for a show. Every day, I choose 2 students to perform at the puppet center during our check out time. My kindergarten students are introduced to a number of fairy tales. In first grade, we expand upon those fairy tales and read twisted versions of them. In second grade, we read a version of the fairy tale from another character's point of view. My upcoming plan with second grade is to have two students choose a puppet character from the story read during class. Then, the rest of us will ask that character questions regarding his/her own side of the story. Both students in the audience and the students holding the puppets will use critical thinking skills for the portion of the lesson.
I am so excited about the many possibilities and ideas I have regarding these new materials. Again, thank you so much for your generous donation and support. I greatly appreciate it!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Fugiett