Past projects 5
High Interest Low Level Readers
Funded Mar 7, 2014I want to start off by saying thank you to all of you who helped make reading an interest again. In a classroom where my students struggle with reading, having these resources where they can listen to stories, and follow along make all the difference. When the materials arrived, my students were very excited. They couldn't wait to start using the headphones and books on tape.
We had recently gotten computers through another grant, and the children wanted to use them. With the headphones, they are able to not only listen to audio books, but also when using the computer's text to speech function to listen to information on websites and other research sources.
When using the computers the special headphones with the microphone as well are helpful for the students who have difficulty writing and typing. This increases their final product in writing. With such story tellers in the classroom, I've seen a boost in confidence when they see their writing outputs now. It's amazing!
I'm so excited to see what next school year brings with these materials from day one, as this group of children got to benefit so much. Their reading and writing skills await! Thank you again!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Soto
Creating Deep Thinkers and Learners
Funded Dec 31, 2013I want to say thank you so much for the resources you have helped to provide for my class. The children were so excited about not only the materials, but also the fact that others care about their learning.
Within the class the students are listening to the read aloud books: Miss Smith's Underwater Adventure, and Miss Smith's Haunted Library. They are also reading these books independently. When reading these books, the children are engaged in their own learning and pay greater attention to the lessons when reading these books in particular. This helps the students focus on a skill or strategy such as prediction or finding evidence since they enjoy the story and have read and re-read the stories.
The reading strips have helped those who need it focus line by line on their reading. Most of the class has begun reading chapter books, and when they read without these guiders, they often read words from different lines. The guiders have kept them on track, which in turn improves their comprehension of the independent book they are each reading.
The vocabulary books have helped improve their vocabulary because the students enjoy using the comic type cartoons to learn new words. They have begun to use some of the new words in their own writing and speaking, which is a vast task for them to achieve.
Lastly, and most used are the sensory toys in which the students use regularly and for much of the day while in group lessons on the rug. The toys help to keep them focused on the lesson and less distracted by others while teaching is going on. This is a huge accomplishment for the students as a whole. Some are still overcoming the feat of allowing others to distract them, but for the most part using the squeezey toys are enough.
Again, I want to say thank you for helping us become better learners. I am so grateful for all of you who value the education of all students and will help them be successful in their endeavors.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Soto
Getting Movement in Our Day
Funded Dec 31, 2012Since receiving these materials, students have had more activities to choose from during their active times at school. As a teacher, I, along with the other out of classroom teachers, do lunch duty and gym time activities. The balls have helped to provide more structured game times for the kids where they can learn teamwork and sportsmanship skills.
Many of the other materials I received are helpful during indoor times, including after school clubs. I run a girls sports club, which is geared towards improving confidence and learning new sports in a comfortable environment. The girls have used all pieces of equipment, especially enjoying times where they participate in circuits to use all materials for short periods of time.
Although all students in the school benefit from these materials, the girls sports club and sports club have expressed their gratitude and don't know w hat they would be doing during the long winter months if it wasn't for your generous donation to our school and their healthy, fit, futures.
Thank you again.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Soto
Studying the Past to Become the Future of Change
Funded Dec 4, 2009I cannot express how I feel about the new
classroom supplies you have helped donate! I have seen sparks of hope in my students' eyes. First, you have shown them that people
do care about their lives and education.
I see how this mere fact has set them up for the future. Others care, and now so do they. Second, they are learning with greater
ease which allows them to enjoy the story rather than solely experiencing the
decoding (reading the actual word) aspect of reading each book. Now they understand the Social Studies
topic and are interested in new and exciting books.
These students have been reading more
Social Studies books in the past month than they have all school year. They are enticed by the struggles of
people who came before them. They
are motivated to help make change in our society as well. They ask more inquisitive questions stemming
from facts they learned inside these history books. Not only are these students who didn't want to learn about
the past interested in what these books are telling them, but they are now
using these books to ask more questions and research the past themselves.
Several students have been asking what this
means for them today, besides getting them to where they are. They wonder if learning about these
events of the Civil Right Movement will help them in the future. They realize what a struggle it was for
their families who might have lived in the time of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,
but they are also beginning to see what it means for them as United States
citizens and the future of our country.
They are beginning to see that they can make a different, just as Ruby
Bridges did at age 6. They are
beginning to think about what they want to ask Congress to start changing.
These Civil Rights books have inspired my
students to think outside the box and to take learning into their own
hands. They read about the
movement at every free moment they get.
They share books together, just so they can all learn! I am truly touched by the ideas and
changes that my students want to raise.
But you should too, because without you donations, my students would not
be this engaged in Social Studies.
I cannot express my gratitude enough on behalf of my students. I continue to expect great things from
each and every one of my students, and I think with your help, they are
beginning to see what great things they can accomplish with the right tools and
support. ”
With gratitude,
Ms. Soto
Creating Readers
Funded Dec 23, 2008I'm so excited, my students will be speechless that we received this grant for our much needed reading materials. My students have been looking forward to getting help with their frustrations in reading. They tend to think that others don't believe in them and give up, but they will see that others hope they succeed as well. I hope that this will inspire them to find ways to enjoy reading instead of giving up all together.
Thank you for your generosity in donating supplies to my classroom. This is my first grant and I can't wait to see my students when they get to open the box and use new reading materials that help their reading get easier. You will help to guide their future reading endeavors!
Thank you again”
With gratitude,
Ms. Soto