Past projects 12
Wiggle Solutions
Funded Nov 28, 2023These wiggle seats have made our classroom extremely comfortable. So many of the kids use the wiggle seats to focus throughout the day. We also got bands for the bottoms of the chairs. It's amazing to see the focus when the kids are working on a project and their feet are bouncing on the bands! It's a lot to ask 9 and 10 year olds to sit and work for long periods of time, but these tools help make it easier.
We've been loving the donated seats and bands. The kids really appreciate your kindness by donating to our classroom!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. FitzGerald
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 3 other donors.Games for Math and Language Arts Workshop
Funded Dec 10, 2022Thank you so much again for supporting my classroom. There are so many ways to learn but this age group (9-10) just love learning by playing games!
Adding in learning by playing at this time of the year is crucial. It's hard to be inside learning about fractions when the sun is shining outside. But playing a simple "I have who has" game makes it fun!
The last two years our children learned technology quickly, but lacked the skills to genuinely communicate, problem solve, and lose gracefully. These games have been filling that void.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. FitzGerald
STEAM Bin Creativity
Funded Aug 9, 2022We have been using our STEAM bin resources for a couple months now. The kids absolutely love them. It is such a creative outlet for them. We use them at the beginning of the day for a slow start to learning and at the end of the day to destress from any tough times we had learning. We also have been having some colder days so indoor recess is spent creating so many things (including snowflakes that hopefully bring us lots of snow!)
It really allows students to build with no limitations and I cannot thank you for spending your money on my classroom!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. FitzGerald
This classroom project was brought to life by Bill Gates and 3 other donors.Exploring the World of Ozobots
Funded Jun 2, 2021Thank you so much for donating to my project. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get an ozobot due to them being sold out twice!
The great news was that I was able to spend the money on a Sphero SPRK. I only recently got the robot so I am learning from other teachers at my school how it can be incorporated into my lessons.
I know the kids are excited to use them and have already told me they know how to code them!
I truly appreciate your donations and will add this robot into my daily instruction to infuse their learning with computer programming!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. FitzGerald
Robotics with Spunk and Spike!
Funded Mar 16, 2021We are in full swing using our Spike robots. We have two teams using the robots and they have already built them up, then changed them, then built them another way! They are loving all of the challenges this year's FLL game is giving them. They have coded 2 missions and are working on the next ones!
We are so thankful to have multiple robots so we can test out programs with one and build different arms and attachments with the other.
Robotics is a gateway for kids who may not see sports as their 'thing'. It gives them a place to learn about teamwork, strategy, and friendship. We are so appreciative to have the Spike primes!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. FitzGerald
For the Love of Reading
Funded Oct 28, 2019The books that you have donated to our classroom have been wonderful!
There is one particular series that I cannot keep on the shelf. The Heidi Heckelbeck books are so popular that the students are trading them in and out after each one has read them. One parent even messaged me saying their child asked for more as her Christmas present. I've had many requests to get more as there are over 50 of them!
Just having new books on the shelf creates excitement for reading and that's exactly what the books you donated did.
Thank you so much for choosing my classroom to donate to.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. FitzGerald
STEM Bundle of Fun
Funded Nov 30, 2016Thank you so much again for donating to my class. We have had so much fun using the materials from the STEM bundles! We received so many fun hands on applications of the science topics we are learning about.
It is really important to connect everything we do to something that can stick in the kids' memory. Have you ever thought back to a grade to think about what you learned? You always remember that one project, or that one field trip. These STEM bundles have provided a memory to connect to in 4th grade!
In addition to 4th graders using them, the 3rd grade science teacher is looking forward to borrowing them. This means that 120+ students are able to have those same memories.
Thank you so much!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. FitzGerald
This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 7 other donors.High Interest Books for 4th Graders
Funded Aug 14, 2016Dear Donors,
The books that came in this project have been perfect for the last couple months of school. One of the packs had books by Eve Bunting. She teaches really important lessons about life and the impact of large events, and small events in our world. We read The Wall and talked about the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. On Veterans Day, we planted two plants in our habitat to honor veterans. Also, there was a pack with books on alternative energy. We are doing an electricity science unit and learning about different circuits. The alternative energy books helped describe how we use energy in our world. These books have been a great resource for my students, and never stay on the shelves. We are forever grateful for your donation!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. FitzGerald
Mechanical Pencils are the Key
Funded Nov 19, 2014Thank you again for donating to our classroom. The students feel more successful having materials that work well. Many students come from families who rely on school materials. These are the regular pencils given to every student. Although these are great, they feel pressure to purchase the cool, colorful, mechanical pencils that more affluent families can afford. It is so nice to have pencils in the room that they can use that are readily sharpened and make them feel as though they fit in.
Think about a time when you bought a new pen or pencil. The feeling of new materials makes you more willing to complete that long assignment, or finish crossing off your to do list. This is how my students feel every day.
Confidence matters and your donation gave many of my students confidence with just a single pencil!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. FitzGerald
Reading is Essential!
Funded Oct 16, 2013Thank you so much for the donation to my classroom. I'd like to tell you a little bit about how they will have an immediate impact on mu current students and also how it will impact future students.
My current students who have been selected to review a book have chosen one of the books donated by you. The students have been reading the books and will begin a review of the book shortly. The review will allow them to analyze the book more deeply and give future readers of the book a peer-review. The peer-review will not only entice future readers to read the book, but also encourage them to read higher level text.
Already, I have had students come up to me clutching the book they are reading and say, "Ms. Fischer, I LOVE this book!" I truly believe they are more excited about the book because they know caring people donated it to them personally to read.
Thank you again for your generous donation to my classroom. Your kindness will continue to encourage and inspire 5th graders for years to come!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. FitzGerald