Ms. Chi's Classroom Edit display name

Past projects 19

• Materials for STEAM!

  Funded Aug 1, 2023

  My students were very excited when they saw the different materials for their projects. One group is designing hand pollinators and another group is designing a shelter to help keep a fictional dog cool during the summer. They were also very excited because they never thought about how common art supplies can be used to study science. Who would ever think that different types of paper can transmit different amounts of light. Or how cellophane wrap can transmit colorful beams of light depending on the color of the wrap. The students had a great time investigating how much light can pass through different materials with a flashlight as the sun and a picture of a fictional dog, Penny, below it so they can investigate which material is best to build a shelter with in order to keep her cool on a hot summer day.

  Since I teach STEAM, my students are always thinking like engineers, investigating and designing solutions for common everyday problems by using the Engineering Design Process. They are constantly asking questions, planning, building and improving their prototypes. In order to use this process, they frequently need materials. With generous donors like you, they can keep planning, building and improving like real engineers without worrying about materials. I'm hoping they can use these important problem solving and critical thinking skills so that they can create real solutions in the real world, especially with today's issues of sustainability and problems caused by climate control.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Chi

  This classroom project was brought to life by Kleenex and 4 other donors.

• Wifi is Down! How Can We Practice Our Coding Skills?

  Funded Nov 11, 2022

  Thank you so much for the contributions that you have made. Everyone was so excited when they saw the colorful boxes piled up on one of my counters. They were so ecstatic when I told them we are going to use them in class during our coding unit. The games are so wonderful for bringing boring and abstract computer science concepts to life. It is easier to see where their errors are and it was very quick to fix and debug their mistakes.

  One of the most common mistakes young coders make is the directions that they have to turn when they encounter a wall, a turn or a dead end. Most students just keep adding more "move forward" blocks and forget to add the "turn" blocks. But because the games made it so easy to see their errors (their mouse bumping into the walls, themselves coming to a dead end), they immediately knew where and what the bug was and added a turn so that they could continue moving toward their destination.

  Students look forward to the games every day. Even the older students are curious about the colorful boxes with the words "Code" and want to play with them. The games are very easy to model various computer science concepts because it's visual, tactile and fun. Since they look like games to them, the students don't realize that they're learning and practicing their coding skills at the same time. Even though Scratch is very popular, these games bring the concepts and animation to life. What's even better is that we don't need an electronic device so we don't have to worry about whether or not it is charged or if the network is down. I just need to make sure that the batteries in the mouse work.

  The games really made an impact on my students' learning by bringing abstract coding concepts to life. They have become an essential part of our classroom learning. With generous donors like you, our students have an opportunity to learn difficult concepts in a fun, colorful and hands-on way. Thank you again for your contribution!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Chi

• Who Wants To Be Left Out?

  Funded Mar 9, 2016

  The laptops you have funded for us are a hit! Students line up to use them! I originally planned to use the laptops for students with non-working computers but with the amount of students interested, I had to be fair. They sign-up and take turns using the laptops. The rest of the students just have to move around as each desktop "crashes."

  The laptops are fast and portable. Also, they are very light so it is very easy to move the laptops from one area to the next. Because we have desktops in the computer lab, it is not easy for students to work in groups. There is only enough sitting space for 1 student at each computer. With the small and portable laptops, students can pair up or form groups and move easily to the back of the room where there is open space. I currently teach technology in Grades 3-5 which includes general education, ICT (Integrated Co-Teaching) and special education classes. This means that students of all abilities benefit from these laptops, including gifted students, students with learning disabilities and English Language Learners (ELL).

  The advanced capability and speed of the laptops have enabled us to complete research on the Internet (via text or videos) to create many different projects. Students made flyers, brochures, slideshows and holiday projects in the laptops using Google Drive and Google Classroom. My fifth grade students also made various graphs in Google Sheets and learned the basics of coding. With the advanced laptops (compared to the old desktops in the computer lab), students were able to spend more time on learning and using their creativity rather than waiting for the computer to reboot when it "crashes." The laptops have also made it more efficient to do presentations. Each student was able to log-in to their Google Drive quickly to showcase their work before the next student goes.

  At the end of the school year, I had each student complete a survey in Google Forms. When I asked how would you improve this class, I expected answers like new ideas for various projects. Instead the most common comments were "Upgrade the computers" or "Get new computers." Students realize how much they can do when they are given the appropriate resources. Again, thank you for your contribution! Students have enjoyed my class thanks to generous donors like you who have given us the resources we need to learn!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Chi

• Can You See What I See?

  Funded Jun 11, 2015

  Your laptop has become an integral part of our classroom in many ways. We use Google Classroom and Google Drive in every aspect of our classroom learning and having a laptop that can keep up and take advantage of Google's cutting-edge technology is a big plus. We spend less time on waiting and more time on learning and exploring. I currently teach technology in Grades 3-5 which includes general education, ICT (Integrated Co-Teaching), and special education classes. This means that students of all abilities benefit from this laptop, including gifted students, students with learning disabilities, and English Language Learners (ELL).

  The advanced capability and speed of the laptop has also enabled us to explore many different websites when the students have sophisticated questions which our school's current curriculum cannot provide. Instead of the students post "I wonder" questions about the lesson and then come back to it at the end of the unit (or have me go home, look for the answer, and bring it back to the classroom), this laptop has allowed us to immediately look for the information via the Internet in class and receive the answer back within seconds (minutes if the Internet is slow). The students are always in bewilderment when the information comes back so quick (and their curiosity answered!).

  The students also fell head over heels with the laptop recently when they used it to present their rock research slideshows (aka Google Slides which is similar to Microsoft's PowerPoint). It is a project that they are most proud of because they completed it entirely on their own. They started the assignment by conducting research on the Internet and then they created their first draft using their notes. Next, they met with their peers to provide any feedback or any changes that needed to be made. When they felt confident that it was their best work, they published it by printing it and sending the electronic file to me via Google Classroom. When it was time to present, we were able to get the files directly from Google Classroom. When we used the school's computer to present, only 4-5 students were able to do it during a 45-minute class period. However, due to the speed of the laptop, we were able to present up to 9-10 students in the same amount of time!

  Again, thank you for your contribution. Your laptop has become an essential part of our classroom learning. With generous donors like you, our students are able to utilize the most updated technology in their learning.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Chi

• Can You Hear Me Now??

  Funded Oct 22, 2014

  Thank you very much for your headphones. All of my students look forward to the computer lab to enjoy the programs that the school has subscribed to. All of my students enjoy using Skoolbo and the English Language Learner (ELL) students love to use the program, Imagine Learning. My younger students also use Starfall and my older students work with Think Through Math (TTM)--all of which requires headphones. The headphones are crucial to Think Through Math because if the students need assistance with a math question, they can "chat" with an online tutor. The tutor talks to them and the students respond by typing. Before the headphones, they had to use the computer speakers (turned down very low so that it wouldn't distract the students sitting next to them). It was almost impossible to hear with so many students in the classroom (32 per class) due to background noise.

  The headphones made an impact on student achievement because the literacy and math-based programs require student interactions with the computer. This has made learning and practicing their skills fun. Students can also earn points to buy items for their avatars. In Think Through Math, they can even donate their points (which the company converts to dollar amounts) to real-life charities like the World Wildlife Fund and St. Jude's Children Hospital so that students can learn to take responsibility for the world.

  I know that they look forward to the headphones because the first thing they'll do when they enter the computer lab is to make sure they have a headphone. They don't even realize that the computer is under maintenance or being updated. The first thing they'll tell me is "I don't have a headphone" even though the headphone might be on the computer right next to them.

  Your headphones have become an integral part of our classroom learning. With generous donors like you, our students have an opportunity to appreciate the technology that is available to them. Since many of my students are from low, socioeconomic backgrounds, they have no access to technology at home. Again, thank you for your contribution.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Chi

  This classroom project was brought to life by Wells Fargo and 4 other donors.

• Games! Games! Science Games!

  Funded Sep 5, 2012

  My students and I have truly enjoyed your science games. They are fun and very educational. The questions are very appropriate and cover exactly what was taught in class. On days when we need a break from the textbook, we turn to these games and since they are curriculum based, the students are still practicing what they have learned in class. Since you've funded a series of different science games, there is never a dull moment. We rotate the games around. We have truly enjoyed the bingo and computer games because not only can we play them as a whole class, the students can also play them independently on their own. Whenever I announce in class that we are playing a science game today, you hear a big "Yes!" from the students. Your contribution has made our science classes fun and we couldn't have done it without you. Thank you!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Chi

  This classroom project was brought to life by Kia Motors America and 6 other donors.

• Super Science News!

  Funded Aug 14, 2012

  How can I thank you enough for the contribution you have made for our classroom magazines? My students look forward to SuperScience and Scholastic News every day. Not only are the big, colorful pictures very enticing, but the articles are also very interesting. The topics are aligned with our curriculum so everything "ties in" for my students. There are digital editions on-line as well as videos clips that are associated with the article. Some of the articles also have supplementary websites for the students to visit.

  SuperScience and Scholastic News magazines have really made an impact on my students' learning by bringing things to life. It's not the same as reading a textbook and then taking a test on it. They really get immersed with the topic and want to investigate it further. Your magazines have become an integral part of our classroom learning. With generous donors like you, our students have an opportunity to learn more of what's going on outside of the classroom. Thank you again for your contribution.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Chi

  This classroom project was brought to life by Wells Fargo and 5 other donors.

• What a Colorful Library!

  Funded Jan 1, 2012

  Thank you again for the beautiful storage bins for my classroom library. The colorful baskets added warmth to my classroom and created a welcoming and comfortable place for my students to settle down and read.

  The baskets are so big and strong; they can hold so much more books than our previous book bins. Their durability and strength allow us to carry the bins easily to a table during center time. Because the newer bins are also bigger, it is easier for my students to go through the bin and decide which book they want.

  Our school is currently facing a budget shortfall, so without your help, my students would never have these vital resources. Thank you again for giving me the opportunity to create a modern and welcoming learning environment for my students by supplying these colorful and durable bins for my classroom library.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Chi

• Current Events for My 3rd Graders

  Funded Dec 3, 2011

  How can I thank you enough for the contribution you have made for our class? My students look forward to Weekly Reader every week. Not only are the big, colorful pictures very enticing, but the articles are also very interesting. The topics are aligned with our curriculum so everything "ties in" for my students. After reading and studying each issue, we would visit the digital edition on-line (via the classroom projector also provided by generous donors like you) and we would look at the slideshows and videos clips that are associated with the article. During center time, the students have the option to listen to the article by using the audio feature in the digital edition. The articles also have supplementary websites for the students to visit; for example, if the article is about a scientist, the students can visit the scientist's website to learn more about his/her work.

  The Weekly Reader has really made an impact on my students' learning by bringing things to life. It's not the same as reading a textbook and then taking a test on it. They really get immersed with the topic and want to investigate it further. Your Weekly Reader magazines have become an integral part of our classroom learning. With generous donors like you, our students have an opportunity to learn more of what's going on outside of the classroom. Thank you again for your contribution. ”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Chi

• Wow! A Working Computer!

  Funded Aug 31, 2011

  I can't thank you enough for the difference you have made in my class. Students are not only excited by the colorful presentations in my lessons but the work they can do after the lessons. They can look for further information by using the Internet or look for the assignments on my website. Just a few weeks ago, my proposal for Weekly Reader was funded so now I can integrate the technology that comes with the periodical into the students' work with the laptops.

  The students look forward to the laptops every day. Even when I forget to take them out of the locked closet, they would remind me to take them out and place them in the computer center. Their eyes would sparkle with excitement as they carefully take the laptops and begin their work.

  The best part of it is that all of my students have the opportunity to work on the computer. My old classroom computers have completely "died" a few weeks ago. They cannot even turn on when you press the power button. Prior to that, we would wait for about five minutes for each of the computers to boot up only to crash less than five minutes later. Now it just takes us seconds and the laptops are ready to go. No time is wasted and everyone gets their turn. In addition, my website is no longer only accessible to the few parents who have computer access at home but to everyone in my class. I can display student work on my website so that all students can view them as well as post links and assignments for use in class. I also started purchasing educational games so that there are a variety of things to do on the laptops and not just for Internet access.

  Again, thank you for giving my students an opportunity to explore what is beyond our classroom walls and to make learning so much more fun. More importantly, thank you for allowing my students to prepare and utilize the technological advances in the world.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Chi