Past projects 15
Tech-Savvy Kinders
Funded Jul 29, 2015Thank you so much for donating the funds for our new iPad and Touchtronic letters. The students and I love having this new technology in our room to use. They are so excited to have the opportunity to use our new iPad each day. It is wonderful to see them using this technology and working with other students to learn.
We use the iPad almost every day. They are very easy for the students to use due to their small size. I keep them easily accessible so that students can go get one whenever they are finished with their work. They love using the iPad with the Touchtronic letters too. We are all in agreement that they are seriously some of the coolest things ever. They work perfectly with the Touchtronic apps that allow them to work on important Kindergarten skills. The iPad allows them to practice sounds, make CVC words, practice their numbers, and more. They love getting on the different apps that I've downloaded to the iPad and choosing the appropriate activity for them. The games are so fun, they don't even realize they are learning!
Another wonderful thing about the iPads is how it fosters independence. I keep the iPads and the Touchtronic letters and numbers in an accessible place, and my students know they are allowed to go get one whenever they complete their work. They know exactly where to go and how to get the iPad and the letters out. They know where and how to put them back, and they are careful about making sure everything is put back correctly. They are so careful with the iPads and the Touchtronic letters because they know how special they are!
It is amazing to see how they learn not only academic skills with the iPads, but social skills as well. Often, two students will be found sharing an iPad. And I mean they actually share it- very rarely do I hear squabbles over the iPad! They will take turns putting down a letter or doing an activity on the iPad. It is so important that they be able to get along in life, and the iPad actually helps them learn how to do that. Some of the students in my class do not have access to a computer or have Internet access at home, so they are thrilled when they can get on them. They are having so much fun, they don't realize they are learning! And the iPads grow with us throughout the year- as their needs change, I can add more apps that help with the skills they are working on. What a wonderful resource that keeps on giving!
If it were not for generous donors like you, schools would be without the resources that students need to learn. My students wouldn't have the opportunity to use iPads and the Touchtronic letters and numbers in their learning. I am appreciative of your thoughtfulness, and I know my students are too. Thank you so much for taking the time to donate to this project. You have impacted not only the group of students I have this year, but students for many years to come!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Butler
Focusing On Technology
Funded Jan 11, 2013Thank you so much for your generous donation. Without thoughtful people like you, my students would go without the basic learning tools they need to be successful.
We love having these headphones to use in our classroom. Before your donations, we had some earbuds that the students had a hard time keeping in their ears. They love having these very nice headphones to use instead. We use the headphones when we are on the computers to block out the sounds of other students working around the room. Sometimes those extra noises would distract the students and keep them from getting their work done, but now they can concentrate on what they are doing! They stay focused and they learn a lot more! We also use the headphones when we listen to stories on the iPods. Instead of worrying about whether the earbuds fit in their ears or constantly having to fix them when they would inevitably fall out, the students can now put on these headphones and concentrate on the story they are listening to instead.
It is because of the generosity of people like you that this world is a better place. Our school is not able to purchase the basic necessities that the students need to succeed, and it is because of people like you that I can ensure that my students get the tools they need to get the education they deserve.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Butler
This classroom project was brought to life by Community Foundation of Louisville and 3 other donors.Chromebooks
Funded Jan 3, 2013Thank you so much for donating the funds for our new Chromebooks. The students and I love having these brand new computers that we can use to learn. They were so excited when the new computers came, and they couldn't wait to be able to use them!
We use the Chromebooks almost every day. They are very easy for the students to use. We use them for learning activities in the classroom. Some of their favorite programs are Scootpad, Starfall, and Sumdog, which are all math or literacy activities. A few of the things they can do are practice math facts, work with letter sounds, or read stories online. I can even track their progress to see if they are making gains and meeting their goals. They can't wait to get on the computers to learn. Since we have 6 computers, I can let a lot more students have the opportunity to use the computers. Some of the students in my class do not have access to a computer or have Internet access at home, so they are thrilled when they can get on them. They are having so much fun, they don't realize they are learning! Now that the school year has come to a close, I am already looking for some more great ways we can use the computers next year. What a wonderful resource that keeps on giving!
If it were not for generous donors like you, schools would be without the resources that students need to learn. My students wouldn't have the opportunity to use computers in their learning. I am appreciative of your thoughtfulness, and I know my students are too. Thank you so much for taking the time to donate to this project. You have impacted not only the group of students I had this year, but students for many years to come!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Butler
This classroom project was brought to life by Community Foundation of Louisville and 18 other donors.First Grade Fluency
Funded Sep 8, 2012This letter is to express my gratitude for your generous donations. My students and I are grateful that there are such thoughtful people in the world who are willing to help others. The iPods that you donated are used every single day by my students. They love hearing familiar stories on the iPods and following along. Rereading these familiar books helps these students build fluency. Many of them do not have someone to read with them at home, so using these iPods is like having someone read a story to them. They love being able to follow along with the stories and know what the words say, even if they can't read the books independently yet. And, by doing so, they hear what a fluent reader sounds like and try to copy it.
When the students use the iPods, they are required to put the materials back correctly and take care of them. I have taught my students procedures for using the iPods and returning them to their proper places when they are finished. They check to make sure the iPods have been turned off and the headphones are carefully tucked back into the pocket. By taking care of the materials, they are also building responsibility for something, especially something that isn't theirs. And they are so careful with them! They really enjoy having the iPods to use in our classroom, so they know they must treat them with respect.
Again, I am so grateful that there are thoughtful people in the world who are willing to provide opportunities for my students that they would not have had otherwise. You have truly made an impact on the lives of my students.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Butler
This classroom project was brought to life by Community Foundation of Louisville and 8 other donors.A Gathering Spot
Funded Jul 10, 2012Thank you so much for donating the funds for our new classroom rug. My students and I are thrilled to have this rug in our classroom. It is bright and colorful, absolutely perfect for a first grade classroom.
We begin each day greeting each other on our rug, and continue using it throughout the day when we read together, participate in calendar, and learn new things. We have used math manipulatives, observed worms and bugs, and discovered if apples sink or float while all gathered together on the rug. It is a place for students to come and learn, greet each other, and work together. When my students are reading, they often choose to lay on the rug and curl up with a good book. They lay on the rug to listen to stories on our iPods. When we practice math skills and facts using games, they want to play on the rug. It is in constant use throughout the day. Not only is it soft and comfortable, there is a square for each child, so they truly have their own space while on our rug. With so many uses, it truly is a gathering spot for our classroom.
Without generous donors like you, my students would be without this wonderful resource for our classroom. Our school is without the funds to purchase things that we need to make the most impact on our students. Thanks to you, I have the assistance I need to make sure my students get what they deserve.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Butler