Past projects 49
Roll Up Those Sleeves: Boy Uniform Shirts
Funded Jul 10, 2019As if learning to multiply for the first time or getting to know new peers isn't hard enough, not having weather appropriate clothing is definitely a challenge some of our students face. At the beginning of the year we had several students who arrived to class in 85+ degree with long sleeve shirts on, sweating and growing tired as the day progressed. Thanks to your generosity several students were blessed with short sleeve shirts. Now as the weather has quickly transitioned from fall temperatures to bitter cold, students now have quick access to long sleeve uniform shirts that will keep them warm. You have eased the burden of our students and now they can focus their attention on subject materials. Thank you.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Ryan
This classroom project was brought to life by Google.org and one other donor.Warm as Toast: Winter Accessories
Funded Jul 24, 2019Thank you, thank you, thank you! While my original design for this project was to support students throughout the school, nearly all of my students needed a winter accessories set. Some are new to the region, hailing from Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic, and were in need of winter accessories. They enjoyed selecting the color of their hat sets and were eager to show off their winter readiness--especially now that we experienced our first snow/wintry mix of the season.
Providing these accessories put students and families at ease. They did not have to wait for a voucher of some sort, but had quick and ready access to what they needed. Having access to these resources enables our students to attend school and be ready for the day. Thank you for giving, for supporting our students.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Ryan
This classroom project was brought to life by Google.org and 5 other donors.Seeing Is Believing: Representative Informational Texts
Funded Feb 3, 2019The most magical experiences I have had thus far has been watching my students find a text that is meaningful to them. This project was especially exciting for them because many of the texts that they received were ones they asked for, ones that truly interest them.
Some of their favorites include the books from the Ordinary People Change the World series and Little Dreamers: Visionary Women Around the World. Both texts are bright, colorful, and biographical graphic novels, which is a new style of text than they are accustomed to. Students will sit together to compare new facts that they've learned. They'll travel to the lunchroom with the new books, protecting them from sticky and saucy fingers. Moments like these are the ones that I will treasure forever and so will my students.
Thank you for your kindness and generosity.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Ryan
This classroom project was brought to life by CRUNCH and 9 other donors.Books and Supplies That Celebrate Us
Funded Jan 19, 2019My heart is full watching my students connect to the art supplies and texts that have been provided, thanks to your generosity. I wish you could watch as they decide which shade of the multicultural markers or paints that would best represent themselves in their artwork.
What's more is their surprise and deep the connections they make as they read. One of my students, who is from Vietnam, was thrilled to find that one of the books had been authored by someone who shared her last name! The students cheered for her and asked me to read a short story from the collection of Vietnamese Children's Favorite Stories. What a special moment that was for her and the class to celebrate cultural diversity and appreciation.
I have the beautiful burden now of having 25 students who run up to me excited about what they're reading. Thank you for your thoughtfulness.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Ryan
This classroom project was brought to life by CRUNCH and 9 other donors.So Fresh and So Clean!
Funded Dec 14, 2018How I wish I could video record our students reactions upon receiving these supplies! There were lots of giggles as they came to terms with my push for better hygiene, but overall the students were excited. One even reflected, "Oh good, because sometimes I forget to brush my teeth," as I opened the boxes of toothpaste and toothbrushes. Immediately, students began to chat amongst themselves about what area in our classroom would be an accessible place for them to store these resources. As they discussed another sniffed under his arms and asked me to pass him a stick of deodorant. He followed up by saying, "I need it" and did not put his arms down until I passed him a brand new stick of deodorant, just for him. Ha! Thank you for bringing joy to my students and providing them some basic necessities as their bodies begin to transform.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Ryan
Snacks Keep Us Focused
Funded Oct 10, 2018"Are we having a party?" My curious students were questioning why we would have received a box of pretzels. Later that afternoon, we received another box, and another until our kidney table was covered in boxes. "Are these for us?" They could not believe how many snacks arrived just for them.
Having lunch at 10am, only an hour and a half after eating breakfast in the classroom, students that did not bring their own snack would sit hungrily until 3pm. That all changed once you contributed to this project. Like clockwork, they know when snack time is approaching and anyone who does not have a snack or could use another can come to our mouse proof bin and select a snack of their choice. After snack they return more focused and are no longer grumpy from hunger. Thank you for providing such essentials.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Ryan
Having a Ball With Robotics
Funded Mar 22, 2018We have truly have a had a ball since incorporating the use of Sphero in the classroom. Our students were in awe at the use of a small spherical robot in a variety of classroom subjects. The Sphero literally and figuratively light up the room and have students begging to use them in the next lesson.
So far, we have used them the most to explore the app and navigating the robots. Once they have gotten the hang of these devices, we started use them during math class by orienting the Sphero to measure geometric shapes and mazes in the classroom. They are inadvertently learning about speed, time, and degrees of angles. Another fun feature we've been using them for is the creation of a culminating art project by coding the Sphero to paint for us!
Using these robots has been a fun and freeing time. Thank you for your generosity and support as it has provided a fun, engaging, and STEAM-based resource.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Ryan
Colorful Connections: Art Supplies for Our Class
Funded Aug 14, 2018These are one of the projects that bring me the most the joy because of its simplicity. My students gasped upon opening our packages of markers (including flesh tones), watercolor pencils, and origami paper among other supplies. A few of our eager ones sweetly offered to help me open the other boxes, a task they did not want to overwhelm me with. I kindly declined and we revealed the remaining resources we now use weekly.
One of my favorite experiences with them was watching them as they basked over the flesh tone markers when deciding which colors best matched their skin color. How sweet it is to see themselves represented down to their art. Thank you for providing what may appear as basic supplies that have transformed their learning with a pop of color.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Ryan
Solid Foundation in Financial Literacy
Funded Jun 14, 2018Our students are developing their love of reading, especially given the nature of the books that were provided thanks to your generosity. Our students are very creative and certainly have an entrepreneurial mindset. Upon receiving the packages from DonorsChoose, my students were thrilled to read different business ideas that they could practice. Moreover, they were interested in some of the entrepreneurial tales of kids their age as well as tips to guide them financially. To add to the joy, they are excited to put their skills to the test as they engage in fun board games that address spending and saving, which target their addition and subtraction skills as well!
Thanks again for your generosity and your contributions.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Ryan
This classroom project was brought to life by Charles Schwab Foundation and 3 other donors.Riding the Waves: Teaching Materials Grades K-5
Funded May 2, 2018I got the phone call during a small group reading lesson last week that the materials arrived. I immediately beckoned two students for two students to take a brisk walk to the office to pick up the assortment of books. Upon their return, my students were curious about the packages and were impressed to hear that their teachers were learning new skills to better support them.
During that lunch period, I cracked open the Reading Strategies book and marked a bunch of pages of strategies with a sticky note. On my bus ride home and as I waited for an appointment, I scoured the books to troubleshoot some of the blockages I encountered in reading with my students. The following day, I created anchor charts to display the strategies I have taught (a suggestion in one of the books) and one of my students overcame some difficult words by referencing the chart!
I look forward to planning for the next year in the coming weeks with the support of these texts. Thank you again for your generosity.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Ryan
This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 6 other donors.