Past projects 5
Mrs. Cooper-Castro's ASTROS Are Ready to BLAST OFF Into Learning!
Funded Oct 10, 2018My Astros are grateful for the amazing resources. They have particularly enjoyed the ASTROMAN, Fujifilm instant cameras, and the galaxy photography backdrop. The space rug has been a great area for them to play games on FUN Friday. The inflatable solar system, inflatable globe, and inflatable microphones have truly brought our classroom to life. I can't wait to slowly introduce our other new materials. I know they will especially enjoy the tent!
This project has given my Astros the resources to truly enjoy our space themed classroom. The resources have helped create a highly effective learning environment where they love to learn. I am beyond thankful for your support of our classroom. My Astros and I are forever grateful!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Cooper-Castro
This classroom project was brought to life by Chevron Fuel Your School.Help Us Learn and Play Our Way
Funded Oct 2, 2017My Troopers are loving our new materials. They look forward to recess everyday now that we have the recess package with sports equipment, jump ropes, and much more! We have incorporated FUN Friday after our weekly testing and that's such a big hit! We pull out all the puzzles, iPads, games, and cushions and spread around the room. It makes my heart flutter to see them stay so focused on their assignments in order to participate in FUN Friday! It was so difficult capturing moments of them using the materials because I always get in on the fun, too! It's been a great incentive to do the right thing in our classroom.
When they first saw the materials they were speechless! I wanted to leave the goodies a surprise so I didn't mention anything to them beforehand. I remember the very first day we got the recess package, we played a game of kickball and had a relay race with the class next door. They really enjoyed that! I also enjoyed teaching them the rules of the games and "coaching" an organized sport during recess. They love the balance of recess being free time and/or participating in an organized sport. Thanks to the recess package, we're able to implement more choices during that time!
As far as next steps for a future project, I'm thinking Polaroid cameras may be a big hit. I brought my personal one in for a class project and many had never seen one before. They were in awe watching the photo develop before their eyes! It'd be a great addition to our creative classroom where we like to show our work off in many avenues. I guess I took for granted that my Troopers had access to something as simple as a camera. I think photography, specifically using a Polaroid, will give my Troopers so much joy because they enjoy seeing the images immediately after developing. "Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever... it remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything." -Aaron Siskind”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Cooper-Castro
We'd APPreciate iPads!
Funded Oct 7, 2016I can't thank you enough for the amazing gifts you have given us. The iPads are helping my Troopers learn in a more fun, engaging way. They look forward to small groups because they enjoy exploring various apps on the iPads. It is a pleasure being able to see their faces light up when they have the opportunity to use the iPads.
The iPads are most exciting to my Troopers because they do not have such luxuries at home. With only four class computers, these iPads have also been serving as such. They have given my Troopers the opportunity to further their learning through technology and we are loving every moment of it!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Cooper-Castro
Ms. Cooper's Troopers APPreciate iPads!
Funded Oct 21, 2015My Troopers are loving the iPads! They have been adventurous in exploring various apps. "Spelling City" has been one of our most used apps because we love the convenience of practicing our weekly word study words on the app. Spelling and vocabulary make up a large portion of the first grade curriculum and I have seen improvements in their weekly assessments since the use of the iPads. Besides using the iPads for academics, we use them to listen to music as we complete our assignments. We have also been able to video our reader's theater scripts and capture many other moments.
The iPads are most exciting to my Troopers because they do not have such luxuries at home. With only four class computers, these iPads have also been serving as computers. They have given my Troopers the opportunity to further their learning through technology and we are loving every moment of it!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Cooper-Castro
Ms. Cooper's Troopers Need a Comfy Library!
Funded Aug 10, 2015My Troopers and I are loving our new comfy library! We now have a place (our wonderful green rug) to have our morning meetings. Morning meetings are important because they set the tone for respectful learning. They also establish a climate of trust and support social, emotional, and academic learning.
When the bean bags and world rug arrived for our library area, my Troopers were beyond excited! We had to establish rules for the correct ways to use the bean bags and how we would treat our new classroom equipment. Once the logistics were out of the way, they were on their way to reading for fun! I have witnessed them really delving more deeply into reading books because our classroom library is comfy and welcoming, thanks to you all!
I placed a poster that reads, "The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go" by Dr. Seuss on our classroom bookshelf. As far as next steps, I want to continue to instill a love for reading and learning in my Troopers. Thanks again for your love and support for our classroom.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Cooper-Castro