Past projects 20
A Cool Room for May and June!
Funded Mar 29, 2016Thank you Donors Choose and all our donors for this 'cool' addition to our classroom environment. Some days have been extremely hot, but my class has survived well because we now have a temperature controlled setting. My students have different challenges, but now are able to concentrate better minus the heat. No longer do they have to act up because it is hot. No longer do they have to be distracting one another as they use every tool at their disposal to fan themselves. As a teacher I strive daily to encourage my students to give of their best. It is not always easy for them or me as the teaching/learning process can be wrought with difficulties at times. However, It is wonderful to know that there are many, many people out there who are invested in promoting education in a meaningful and dynamic way. Words alone cannot express to you the appreciation I feel for this great gift which my classroom has received. Everyday, as I walk through the door and turn the air conditioner on, I smile, because I know that during our time there for that day, both my students and me can feel comfortable and relaxed. Many other teachers have said, 'Where did you get that?' referring to our unit. I simply smile and respond, 'the best charitable organization for teachers in the world - Donors Choose'. Much appreciation to you for all you do to enhance the learning experiences of inner city students.”
With gratitude,
Ms. G.
This classroom project was brought to life by #BestSchoolDay and 21 other donors.Light Up Our World with a Projector!
Funded Mar 29, 2016The projector has been a wonderful tool in our classroom. It allows us access to great information that we could not have otherwise attain. Truly it lights up the world of our students with new knowledge. With the projector students can enhance their learning in many ways. For example, it is linked up to the smart board and this allows students to participate in interactive learning. Additionally, students are able to view many educational videos, especially those that relate to the current IB unit that we are studying. Students get the great opportunity to view Brain Pop, that wonderful resource on many topics including social studies, math, and especially science. Students can then choose to engage in review quizzes or games, which enhance their learning even further.
With the use of the projector, this new age technology, the classroom learning and teaching are transformed. As an educator, I am more than thrilled to have been awarded this exceptional device via Donors Choose. Thank you Donors Choose for making the teaching and learning process more engaging and interactive. Thank you for allowing me the use of a device that allows parents, when they visit, to get a clear view of what is being taught and learned. Thank you for being so clear in your desire to promote the learning and interests of our students, but especially those of The inner city. I accept this gift with great humility, but especially because I know you care.”
With gratitude,
Ms. G.
This classroom project was brought to life by #BestSchoolDay and 19 other donors.Preserve Our Special Moments With Digital Cameras
Funded Mar 9, 2016We are absolutely thrilled to have received such great gifts. The digital cameras, along with the memory cards and cases lit up the students' day when they arrived. Everyone who has seen the cameras has noted that they are of a high quality. Now we can have great pictures for our every endeavor. We will begin taking pictures as early as tomorrow to add to our classroom collection. It is my hope that each student will have a small photo album, a treasure trove of pictures to take home with him/her at the end of the school year. Through this means, they will have pictures that they can look back on a year from now, ten years from now even; pictures for posterity.
We will be going on several trips soon, and the students will be delighted to have the cameras with them where they will get the opportunity to take great pictures themselves. My goal is for each student to take his/her own pictures. Perhaps the greatest photographer who has ever lived will be a product of this class, thanks to your donation. My students will also take pictures as they are engaged in their daily activities, both inside and outside of the classroom. They will take pictures of their best work and even their worst and will use the latter as a guide to help them do better next time.
Thank you for the wonderful gifts you have given my students. Thank you for sharing. Thank you for caring about the needs of inner city students, many of whom just need that one opportunity that would impact their lives for the better. I appreciate you so much. You are the best!”
With gratitude,
Ms. G.
Learning Math Forever With Technology
Funded Mar 9, 2016Words cannot express my gratitude for the magnificent chrome books and mini I-pads my class received this week. My students were absolutely enthralled because they could not believe that these items were actually for their usage. They know now that there will be less crowding at the computers during our special computer time of the day. They do not have to wait as long as they previously did to gain access to a computer. They are more ready than ever to complete their Internet searches and their reflex math activities in a timely fashion. They can type their research papers with not as much hindrance as they had before. I have already downloaded several apps for math and reading for my two students who require more intensive and individualized instruction. To see them eagerly involved in every activity they are given is a pleasure to behold! These are really special donations. They allow my students to have access to technology in a way that they have not had before. They allow for greater class participation in activities. Thank you so much for understanding my students' needs and caring about them enough to donate to this worthwhile project. Thank you for making the needs of inner city students a priority in your list of things to do. I truly appreciate you and Donors Choose for making this all happen. You are the best of the best!”
With gratitude,
Ms. G.
This classroom project was brought to life by Disney and 6 other donors."Empowering Students Through Art" - STEAM For Us As Well!
Funded Jan 27, 2016Words can't express adequately the gratitude I feel towards all of you. Art is an essential element of our IB curriculum. Our students are constantly involved in creating projects and various other art pieces. The materials that we received are fabulous. They will enable the students to decorate and beautify their work. My students absolutely love art and know that it can be interwoven in any other aspect of the curriculum. They enjoy painting, drawing or simply creating things with the simplest of tools. These materials that we received will go a long way in bringing out the artist in many of them. Deepest thanks to all of you for thinking about their needs. We are thrilled by your interest and care.”
With gratitude,
Ms. G.
This classroom project was brought to life by an anonymous donor and 12 other donors.Toner, Paper, Markers - Classroom Essentials!
Funded Dec 22, 2015What a great feeling it is to have some of the classroom essentials that we so dearly need! Thanks to all of you , my students have access to quality paper which they can use to print their essays or projects and create art work. They now have really good markers to beautify all their work, or write up their own experience charts. They have toner, which will be readily available so that students do not have to go to another room or the office to print. All these items are necessary for the students to be able to showcase their work with pride.
I am truly grateful that you took the time to read my project, but more importantly, that you shared a vision I have for my students. My students with special needs now know that there are others beyond their teachers who really take the time out to listen to them or read about their needs. They are truly fortunate to have people like you who care about them in ways even they could not have imagined. I feel very happy and extend to you my deepest appreciation for caring about precious inner city students.
Once again, a million thanks and have a Happy New Year!”
With gratitude,
Ms. G.
This classroom project was brought to life by Disney and 2 other donors.It's A Rock World After All!
Funded Jan 12, 2016It is with deep gratitude that I accept the donations you provided to enable my class to have these wonderful products. The materials that we received are so amazing. What is truly special about the rocks is that we have them to refer to, time and time again, as we engage in the unit of study: Earth Systems. When I opened the model of the earth and passed it around, the students went "Wow", as they had a good glimpse of what the world looked like from the inside. They were able to compare the sizes of the different layers of the earth. We looked at the rocks and carefully examined them with the magnifying glasses. Students were able to discuss their properties fully. Additionally, students got a much clearer look at the rock cycle as they studied the chart that we received. The rock cycle book provided a great deal of useful information as well as the rock cards which helped to adorn our bulletin board.
These products are truly remarkable. Thanks to donors like you, my students got many opportunities to engage in hands on activities. They could now more readily describe the characteristics of igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. Thank you for giving inner city students new and real experiences that they can share with one another and family at home.”
With gratitude,
Ms. G.
This classroom project was brought to life by Disney and 4 other donors.Healthy Snacks Promote Healthy Minds
Funded Dec 11, 2015my students were overjoyed when they saw the array of snacks. One student exclaimed: "for us?" I am eternally grateful to all of you for making this happen for my students. Sometimes the break between breakfast and lunch seems interminably long and now we have a choice of healthy snacks from which the students can choose. I have begun to incorporate the snacks into our rewards system. The students' overall willingness to work and exhibition of appropriate classroom behaviors, already very high, seem to have soared with the expectation of healthy snacks as rewards. They are more alert and nicer towards each other. Additionally, I have seen some of them encouraging others to be more attentive to tasks. I saw one student looking at the label on the Kind Bar to see what ingredients were inside.
There are absolutely some moments that are cherished for a lifetime. One such occurred when all the students at one table picked up their juices, reached towards one another and said, "cheers". Their pleasure was so evident. It was amazing! The interest in learning was always there among my students but now there is even greater motivation for them to learn. Now, for a time, I don't have to worry about my students saying 'I'm hungry'.
I believe that productivity in my classroom will increase because of having healthy snacks available to my students. On behalf of my students, I express sincerest thanks for your generosity towards inner city students, who now know that they are many people outside of their world, besides their teachers, who care about them. My class and I wish for all of you a wondrous New Year!”
With gratitude,
Ms. G.
This classroom project was brought to life by Google.org and 6 other donors.Illuminate My Work with a Laminator and Book Binder!
Funded Dec 31, 2015I accept these gifts that you have so graciously donated to my classroom with great humility. I am happy to know that my project: "Illuminate my work with a Laminator and a Book Binder" has captured your worthwhile attention. My students were thrilled to receive both items and could not wait to open them. As a recently formed IB school, we are immersed in a curriculum that is inquiry and project based. My students are constantly doing research and creating special projects for the various themes. These items will help them to showcase their work in a meaningful and dynamic way. It is important for my students to have a way of preserving their work that should last them for a very long time. These items will allow them to do just that. Students' work will be beautified in a unique fashion. As part of group effort, I am always preparing task cards, which I will now get the opportunity to retain through the use of these wonderful gifts. You and Donors Choose have made what we will be able to accomplish in school so much easier. My sincerest thanks to you for caring about inner city students and being partners in my vision in making school life for my students the best that it can be.”
With gratitude,
Ms. G.
This classroom project was brought to life by Disney and 4 other donors.Creating a Relaxing and Inviting Classroom Environment
Funded Dec 3, 2015Words cannot adequately describe how your donations have positively impacted my classroom and my students. From the time I started to unpack the boxes, the students were amazed at the color, the brightness, the beauty of the items. The rug has definitely improved the ambiance of the room. But more importantly, with its vivid picture clues, it has provided the students with greater insight into some of the skills we have been studying. The bean bag chairs have created comfortable seating for the students when we are engaged in independent reading activities. Additionally I have used them as part of the rewards system in the classroom. Students get to utilize the bean bag chairs for other activities if they have built up enough points. They are of great quality and very soft. The students love them! Another interesting set of items that we received were the magazine/book holders. Student have their own where they are allowed to keep their prized books or magazines that they are using for independent reading. The colors are outstanding and each student got to choose the color he/she wanted. Before and after an activity or during independent reading, students are able to collect their book holders and engage in an exercise contained therein. These items add a touch of glamor to the classroom. Our final item received was the Deluxe Calendar. This is truly awesome and is loved by both the students and me. Students were vying with one another as to who should set it up. We have already identified the birthdays for January and students got to put the birthday cards behind their dates. The other cards that highlight important birthdays and other memorable occasions were perused by all the students. This is a really great addition to the decor of the classroom. Your donations to my students/classroom are truly appreciated by all of us. We feel that teaching and learning have been positively impacted by them. We feel that our room is much more beautiful because of them and we wallow in the praise that we receive from others about the rug and chairs in particular. We feel really special and are delighted to know that you care.”
With gratitude,
Ms. G.
This classroom project was brought to life by Google.org and 7 other donors.