Past projects 11
Born a Crime, Night; Masterpieces that Urban Teens will Love!
Funded Aug 23, 2019Your donation of funds brings high-interest books into the hands of students in a high-need community. These students, mostly immigrants and the first generation to attend college, need to build college readiness and academic stamina. Reading high interest books enables this.
In addition, students understand global issues through the stories of Trevor Noah and Eli Wiesel. One memoir, full of comedy, depicts a mixed-race man born in South Africa when his parents' relationship was illegal. The other narrative details the horror of the Holocaust. Windows into other's lives and mirrors of their own experiences, that is what great literature provides.
Your generosity forwards the lessons of these men and their novels and enriches today's young people. Truly, thank you so much.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Giesser
Help Us Build Social Skills through Phone-Free, Classic Board Games!
Funded May 7, 2024Thank you dearly for your funding of classroom board games! Students were speechless when they saw the quantity and variety of games you provided. After pairing students up to teach each other how to play checkers, they were off and talking!!
If you walked into the classroom, you would see high energy, personal interaction, and talking. With. No. Phones. For this earned game time, students were off technology and building social skills and a community. Their attention was on the games and on one another. They pack up for their next class smiling and energized. No more silent classrooms with kids hunched over small screens.
Launching from these experiences playing games, students build relationships and develop interpersonal skills. Then, when returning to our curriculum and lessons, we can go further because of the enhanced vibes of the group. Truly, these games are a valuable part of our community building and YOU provided the materials and magic to make this happen. Truly, thank you.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Giesser
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 7 other donors.Big Energy Classroom Supplies Needed to Start the Year Right!
Funded Aug 17, 2024What a jump start you have given to me and my students through your generosity! Truly, your contributions have launched our year with such strength! Because of you, students will have food, water, and tissues for basic needs as well as learning tools. Please know how deeply appreciative we all are. Really, this is amazing. A million thank yous are sent your way!!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Giesser
This classroom project was brought to life by The Gates Foundation and 10 other donors.A Page Turner About Identity and Recovery
Funded Apr 1, 2023Thank you, truly, for your generous donations. Your funding was super powerful in two ways.
First, your donation to this project put beautiful, new books right into the hands of my 12th-grade ELA students. In reading this graphic novel, Come Home, Indio, students were able to build academic stamina and reading fluency. On another level, they learned of the cost of addiction and the power of recovery. Reading novels builds compassion and empathy. You made that happen.
Additionally, your donation showed that strangers from around the country believe in the teens in my class. Your generosity demonstrates to my students that people care about them and their learning. And that is a hugely profound message for my students.
So thank you, a million times, for your financial support and your paying it forward to today's teens. We are all grateful.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Giesser
American Dirt - An Immigrant's Story but it's Complicated
Funded Sep 2, 2022Thank you SO MUCH for your generous donation of funds to purchase the novel American Dirt. This novel was riveting for my students. Because of you, each student was given a copy of the book to use, rather than excerpts that they read on a computer.
This novel is a page-turner; it depicts the journey of a mother and son who are fleeing from the violence of Mexico's drug cartels. They ride on La Bestia and then travel with a coyote they pay to bring them into the United States. This novel inspired students to research many issues; the cartel violence and dangers of journalists, immigration and detention centers, and also who has the right to tell one's story.
You brought a love of reading to these students. You gave them a forum to explore the experiences of loved ones in a new way. You inspired them to become activists on issues of human rights. Your generosity made a HUGE difference. Thank you dearly.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Giesser
Unplug and Focus for Strong Mental Health!
Funded Aug 22, 2022Truly, thank you for your generous donation which allowed me to purchase enough phone chargers for every student to charge their phone during class. Currently, the average US teenager spends seven hours and twenty-two minutes a day on their phone. As their teacher, it is challenging to get them away from these devices.
Students' experience in English class is greatly enhanced when they can focus without distraction. They can read and write in a sustained way without the temptation of checking their notifications. Students seem happier; they talk with one another in a way that is profound and affirming. They are grateful for this break. This time away from their devices shows them the power of learning and communicating and also the clear benefit from putting phones down and being present. The bonus for them is getting their phones charged.
As a teacher, I am much more able to get students to dock their phones when they can charge them. Your generosity sends students a message that you care about them both in their mental health and their academic success.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Giesser
Books that Urban Teens will Beg to Read!
Funded Jul 28, 2017Thank you, thank you for your generosity! Your donation to this Donors Choose project brought over sixty copies of the high interest book The Hate You Give into our classroom. Students were thrilled to read such a contemporary book. We supplemented the reading of this novel with a unit on Black Lives Matter and a research projects on gun violence. Students also made a playlist of songs related to this novel; you may see them dancing in one of the photos!
Just as important as the books is the message that these urban teenagers receive that strangers from all over the country support them in the classroom and in life. Students were in awe when told that the books in their hands were donated from anonymous people who care about their education. Your generosity demonstrates the clear power of good will and believe me, it travels far for these kids.
Students went on to read other novels and poems by authors Angie Thomas and Sherman Alexie. They are inspired by the texts and by your grace. Your generosity is so greatly appreciated.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Giesser
Urban Teens Deserve Yoga!
Funded Sep 17, 2014Thank you, thank you for your generosity! Your donation to this Donors Choose project has allowed urban teens the fabulous opportunity to try yoga.
After just one session, a student commented, "I feel relaxed and pumped at the same time!" Another student said, "I will sign a petition to get yoga classes at our school!" Your financial gift has permitted these teens who face stress brought on by poverty and immigration issues an introduction to the benefits of exercise. Despite the incessant distractions of screens that this generation faces, the value of mindfulness has been promoted.
Students were thrilled that individuals and organizations thought enough of their well being that they would donate. With laughter and enthusiasm, students tried their poses. A closer relationship has been fostered between the students and myself. We do some yoga and then engage in the day's curriculum energized. (Macbeth, yoga, urban teenagers? I do have the best job ever!) Your generosity has expanded our students' social capital; they know that they, too, can do yoga. In addition, your gift has brought more attention to how students treat their own bodies. You've connected these kids to the world and empowered them to make good choices.
Thank you, Google Cambridge and Megan Corrigan. Namaste.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Giesser
Please Help Educate About Teen Social Issues
Funded Aug 16, 2013Thank you, thank you, thank you for what you did for our school and for our students' lives! Students COULD NOT believe that strangers cared enough about them to donate money which went towards purchasing a class set of books. Your money made a HUGE impact in several ways.
Our two 10th grade English classes loved this novel, Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. Some students took the book home and read it in a weekend. Other classes of tenth graders were jealous that our students were able to read such a high interest piece which deals with serious life lessons on date rape and depression. Students connected with reading in a way that they aren't usually able. They could relate to the teen issues regarding cliques, academic pressure and home/life struggles. Students kept a journal of their responses to the novel. We had moving class discussions on harassment and gender issues.
In addition to a synthesis essay, students completed a final project which was a Public Service Announcement, either in poster form or as a 30-60 second video. Their goal was to educate others in the school community on problems with depression and sexual harassment. These PSA's were displayed on our school video system and in a front showcase in our high school's entry way.
Through your kindness, students learned about the impact of helping others, developed their literacy and writing skills and have a greater understanding of the reality of depression. Thank you for your profound gift.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Giesser
Help Urban Kids Navigate the SAT on their Journey to College
Funded Feb 15, 2012Thank you, thank you, thank you for your kindness and generosity. Your contribution our classroom supplies is totally helping my students prepare for taking the SATâÂÂs. Because of you, students are able to make flash cards to learn the vast array of SAT vocabulary words. In addition, the highlighter pens facilitate my students in being active readers. They scan their complex SAT reading passages with marker in hand, highlighting the most important details in order to answer the multiple choice questions. Students also use the Post It notes in their study, marking the areas that need most attention and review.
Virtually all of these students are the first in their family to attend college. Not having been exposed to the study skills needed to succeed in taking this test, your generosity has eased their journey.
Just as important as the actual school supplies you helped provide, our students received the message from you that you care about them and their academic success. For these young people, knowing that strangers across the nation are rooting for them is a HUGE benefit.
Truly, thank you for what you have done.
”
With gratitude,
Ms. Giesser