Past projects 32
The Only Way to Learn Math Is to Do Math!
Funded Aug 23, 2017First I want to thank you again for each of your generous gifts to help make this project possible. We're coming up to the halfway mark in the year and I can already tell the difference these manipulatives have had for my students. All the materials haven't been used quite yet because of the curriculum, but students are eager to use them. They always ask when do we get to use the clocks or the playing cards, etc. My students are more engaged during math by having access to materials they can manipulate with their hands. They are quicker to grasp new material because they are able to learn it using multiple senses. These materials are especially helpful for my students who struggle in math and need that extra step in modeling the problem in front them before using pencil and paper. Any lesson that I introduce a new manipulative for the students to use, they have extra excitement for the new material. Since we use these materials almost everyday, it has helped my students learn a sense of respect for what should be used for learning and what should be used for a toy. I have noticed the biggest impact during our place value unit. By having the base ten blocks that they can actually build and break apart has increased their understanding of bundling tens and ones when creating a ten or hundred. This understanding has then helped with their addition and subtraction knowledge. Your gift has truly made an impact in helping these students grow to not only understand math, but begin to have a love for it.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Ewing-Murphy
The More You Read, The More You Know!
Funded Nov 30, 2016I want to thank all of you who helped fund this project. It truly means the world to me that you chose my project out of all the projects to help fund. Last year I moved from Pre-K to 2nd grade so majority of the books I had in my personal collection were board books or simple picture books. Moving to 2nd grade means I have students reading at the kindergarten level all the way up to the 3rd grade level. Unfortunately the classroom I moved into did not have a lot of books for the classroom library. I wanted to inspire my students to have a love of reading so I knew I needed to expand the amount of books the students had access to while in my room. Once the books from this project came into my hands, I redid the space for my classroom library. I bought all new bins and labeled them for easy access. The space also includes a new cozy chair, several pillows, and stuffed animals (reading buddies). Now with the all the new books, my students actually want to be in there and read!! With just this small step, I have increased their love of reading! As Dr. Seuss said, "The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go!" It is my goal to give my students access to a world of new information and experiences. With all of your help you have helped me get closer in achieving that goal, so again I thank you.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Ewing-Murphy
Technology Materials
Funded Sep 18, 2015With the help of your donation I was able to be educational technology materials to help improve my students math and alphabet awareness. In this current day and age, students already have so much technological awareness, that it usually surpasses even what I may know. Even children as young as the students as in my class (3-5) they already use technology in their everyday life and by being able to incorporate a more educational aspect it makes the learning more enjoyable and exciting for them. The math Tiggly Apps helped my students improve their counting skills and their knowledge of shapes. It also helped increase their social skills because the students wanted to work together to help one another with the Apps, it helped them learn how to share (because ALL the kids wanted to use the iPad), time management--they knew when the time went off they had to switch with the next person. The bluetooth speaker gave us the opportunity to use the iPad for music and movement breaks including yoga time, which has been show both as a great tool for increasing fine and gross motor skills but also as a way to learn to calm down the body. We also used it to listen to books read aloud, especially all of the Pete the Cat stories, every kid I've ever met LOVES Pete the Cat!!! I just really want to thank you so much for all your help in funding this project!!!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Ewing-Murphy