Past projects 13
Return to Learn in Safe, Sanitized Spaces!
Funded Aug 13, 2020When we returned to school this fall, we did not know what to expect. With your support, we successfully created safe, sanitized spaces for our students and staff. Our new 6th graders were most excited to be in person and in school with their classmates and teachers.
We installed air purifiers and air diffusers in all shared locations. We equipped all classrooms with extra masks, face shields, cleaning supplies, and sneeze guards. We equipped all students with their own personalized supplies, including, hand sanitizer, earbuds, pens, pencils, and more.
Schools in New York City remained open until November 19th and we were fortunate enough to remain Covid-free for the duration. Our students and teachers followed all health and safety protocols. Your donations helped ensure consistent cleaning, social distancing, and hand sanitizing. We are beyond grateful for the peace of mind you provided.
We do not know when schools will reopen again but we do know that we will be prepared. Thank you for giving us a stronger sense of safety and stability!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Yacenda
On Your Marks, Get Set, Get College Ready, Go!
Funded Dec 20, 2012Thank you so much for your generous donations! You have helped change the way I teach and the way my students learn in an ever-changing, ever-growing world. Our 30 brand new Google Chromebooks have opened up endless teaching and learning opportunities to explore â and enjoy. We have the newest technology in our classroom and it is so cool. Here's why...
1) Edmodo. I have used Edmodo to create a paperless, online classroom community. My students can access handouts, assignments, deadlines, etc. virtually via Edmodo in addition to turning in assignments and even taking quizzes. My students also post to discussion boards to facilitate and extend learning beyond the classroom. My students are learning how to learn online.
2) Google Drive. The notion of cloud computing often astounds my students. The fact that my students can log into their Google accounts whenever, wherever to access their work is so cool and so powerful. We have only just begun to explore the many features and functions of Google Documents, Presentations, and Spreadsheets. My students are learning how to create and collaborate with each other online.
3) Typing Club. After using the Chromebooks for the first time, my students recognized the very real need to be better, faster typers. So I introduced my students to Typing Club in order to improve their skills and increase their speeds. My classes compete against each other to type the fastest and to try to top my average score of 91 words per minute. My students are learning how to be more efficient and effective with their time online.
4) Collaboration. I have collaborated with other teachers to incorporate and expand our use of Chromebooks in other classrooms. In their Economics classes, my students are participating in the Stock Market Game and learning how to maintain diversified stock portfolios. In their English classes, my students are "reading" audio books virtually while annotating their books simultaneously. In their History classes, my students watch and discuss TED Talks to develop necessary note-taking skills. My students are learning how to access multimedia resources online.
Needless to say, your donations have had an indelible impact on my classroom and my students...and for that, I thank you! I initially thought my students would be better prepared for college with better, faster technology â but in fact â my students are now better prepared for life.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Yacenda
If a Tree Falls...
Funded Aug 1, 2009This project and your donations have already had an enormous impact on the way in which I teach and my students learn the Theory of Knowledge (TOK) curriculum. I could go on and on about how our new TOK books have opened up endless teaching and learning possibilities. But instead, I asked my students to help me explain and here is what they had to say...
Corrine shared, "Getting my TOK book meant the world to me. It enabled me to not only read and expand my knowledge on my own time but to share and influence those around me. It enhances the level of intellectual conversations that I have by allowing me to counterclaim and challenge thoughts. I am also able to relate things in the book to my life and subject areas in school. It is my TOK book; there are many like them but this one is mine. Without me, my book is nothing; without my book, I am nothing. I cherish, honor, and read it everyday. There are many like them, but this one is mine."
Toni explained, "When my classmates and I received our TOK books, we were all really excited for many reasons. I think the main reason was because we have already used them to write our Prescribed Title essays. The books have helped us both organize our thoughts and find supporting evidence to support those thoughts. The books have also helped to answer the many follow-up questions and curiosities that we've had about what we learn in class. Thank you very much for the donations and for making our class more productive."
Jolam admitted, "Up until a couple months ago, my comprehension and retention in TOK was weak. Outside of class, I did not think properly at all. Once I obtained my TOK book, it changed my life. I worked harder, I studied harder, and I read as much as I possibly could about the Ways of Knowing and the nature of knowledge. My critical thinking skills have elevated to higher levels. The textbook has also helped with the development of my Prescribed Title and other forms of writing. It makes learning TOK easier and it also allows me to refer back to the textbook for guidance on a regular basis."
Kiyana realized, "Nothing in life is free – is a phrase that I've always heard throughout my life, which explains why I was so shocked when my IB class received a class set of TOK textbooks. I thought my teacher was kidding when she told us. Having these books has changed the way we learn TOK both inside and outside the classroom. Since we can now take the book home with us and wherever we go, we can always refer back to what we learned in class that day. Having these books will expand our minds and we are very grateful for that."
Nicolas said, "Having my own TOK book brought tears of joy to my eyes because I am able to study the Ways of Knowing and Areas of Knowledge more in depth and more often than last year. TOK has opened my mind to the way we use our knowledge in everyday life. The classroom discussions have always made me think critically and creatively...and now the TOK textbook allows me to continue to do so outside the classroom. Thank you for your generous donations."
Needless to say, this project and your donations have had an indelible impact on both my students' hearts and minds...and for that, I thank you! ”
With gratitude,
Ms. Yacenda
This classroom project was brought to life by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and 8 other donors.