Mr. Stern's Classroom Edit display name

Past projects 105

• Making the SmartBoard REALLY Smart

  Funded Mar 5, 2009

  Thank you so much for funding my project.

  With my diverse group of students, I'm always looking for ways to engage them and keep them interested in lessons. It's a challenge to differentiate lessons across all the ability levels my students represent. They've already shown a great deal of interest in lessons using the SmartBoard, and begged me to use it more often. With the Bluetooth retrofit kit you funded, that will now be possible.

  Of course, a student who is paying attention is much more likely to succeed. Accordingly, this equipment will be perfect for addressing their needs.

  Once again, I thank you, both on my behalf and for my students as well.”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Stern

  This classroom project was brought to life by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and 2 other donors.

• Recharge My Batteries

  Funded Mar 24, 2009

  Thank you so much for funding my project.

  In today's high school mathematics classes, graphing calculators have become ubiquitous. My students use my classroom set of calculators almost every day. As a result, we go through a lot of batteries. But while I try to teach them to be responsible citizens of the planet, they see me cycling through alkaline battery after alkaline battery.

  With your gift, I'll now be able to show them the example of green living that I've been telling them about. I can bring my actions in line with my words.

  Once again, I thank you, both on my behalf, my students behalf, and the planet's behalf as well.”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Stern

  This classroom project was brought to life by Wells Fargo and 3 other donors.

• Weathering the Data

  Funded Feb 24, 2009

  Thank you so much for funding my project.

  With my diverse group of students, I'm always looking for ways to engage them and keep them interested in lessons. It's a challenge to differentiate lessons across all the ability levels my students represent. I think the meteorological instruments you've provided will go a long way towards helping. By asking my students to work with real data from the world around them, I think I'll be better able to hold their attention.

  Of course, a student who is paying attention is much more likely to succeed. Accordingly, this equipment will be perfect for addressing their needs.

  Once again, I thank you, both on my behalf and for my students as well.”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Stern

  This classroom project was brought to life by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and 4 other donors.

• You Gots To Move -- Mobility Assistance

  Funded Feb 24, 2009

  Thank you so much for your donation.

  As I explained in my proposal, I'm working to reach all the students in my class, from the advanced learner all the way to the struggling pupil. The buzzword in educational circles for this is "differentiation." My task is to differentiate and leave nobody behind.

  In order to differentiate, I'm finding I need to employ multiple strategies. The components that you helped fund all work towards the ultimate goal of reaching all students. The binding machine is letting me create lesson packets, organized by study unit. The chair is creating an inviting place for students who volunteer to come to present their work. The laptop shelf has made my AV cart more useful in the classroom.

  My students appreciate the fact that you, complete strangers, would donate to our classroom. You truly exemplify the meaning of the word generosity. My students have to deal with so much in their lives. I'm trying to make a difference for them, to prepare them for life ahead (hopefully including college). Your contribution will make my task measurably easier.”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Stern

  This classroom project was brought to life by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and 3 other donors.

• Print It Out In Black And White

  Funded Jan 24, 2009

  Dear Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Eric, Thank you so much for your donation. The printer arrived a few weeks ago, and it has already had a positive impact on my classroom. Duplication services have traditionally been a bottleneck at my school. We frequently run out of toner or ink or our departmental copy machines, and the lead time involved in ordering copies from the school copy center is often prohibitive. In addition, the degree of detail required in mathematics documents often renders bulk duplication services unsuitable. (for example, if the index on a radical is smudged, the student may not know whether to solve for a square or a cube root) This printer has made the situation much easier in my class. I can give my students laser-quality documents. There's no ambiguity in what the documents say. Type is clear and crisp. Worksheets say exactly what I intend, and tests are perfectly legible.

  While I don't know if my students appreciate the subtle difference between 300 and 1200 dots per inch, I notice improved responses, and fewer requests for clarification. Thank you again for the donation.

  ”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Stern

  This classroom project was brought to life by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and 2 other donors.

• Reaching All Students Via Video

  Funded Jan 5, 2009

  Thank you so much for funding my project.

  With my diverse group of students, I'm always looking for ways to engage them and keep them interested in lessons. It's a challenge to differentiate lessons across all the ability levels my students represent.

  Many of my less-able students are visual learners, and a video lesson is more likely to reach them. Accordingly, this equipment will be perfect for addressing their needs.

  Once again, I thank you, both on my behalf and for my students as well”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Stern

  This classroom project was brought to life by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and 3 other donors.

• Rolling Into Math Class

  Funded Dec 27, 2008

  Thank you so much for contributing to my project. As I work to help my students reach their potential, it is good to know that I have partners like you in the community who are willing to help.

  The project you funded will help me make more efficient use of precious classroom time. The nomadic life, moving from room to room, is one of the difficulties that many NYC teachers face. The AV cart you've funded will make it much easier for me to roll right into class, and get things moving quickly in the crucial first few minutes after the bell.

  Thank you again for your contribution”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Stern

  This classroom project was brought to life by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and one other donor.

• Do You Get the Picture? Yes, We See!

  Funded Dec 10, 2008

  Thank you very much for helping to fund this resource.

  When I received word that my proposal was funded, I shared the information with my classes. They are universally excited about this new equipment which will help us leverage and more effectively use our classroom time.

  For example, they are already looking forward to sharing homework solutions via the document camera -- a task which currently takes 10-15 minutes out of instructional time, because it requires the students to go up to the blackboard after class has already started.

  I'm really happy and appreciative that you've helped out my classes. Thank you once again”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Stern

  This classroom project was brought to life by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and 5 other donors.

• I've Got More Hands Than Handheld Calculators!

  Funded Nov 11, 2008

  Thank you so much for funding my project.

  My students have been so cooperative (sharing calculators, etc) up to now. But this will make things so much easier, with each student working on his own handheld.

  I'm a firm believer in the role appropriate technology can play in enhancing student understanding in areas such as mathematics. I've been working with graphing calculators for five years now, and can personally attest to their value in student learning. By helping me provide a graphing handheld for each student, you're helping me to ensure my students achieve to their potential.

  Thank you again for your generosity”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Stern

  This classroom project was brought to life by Wells Fargo and 5 other donors.

• Handheld Technology for Students (part 2 of 3)

  Funded May 18, 2006

  Thank you so much for your thoughtful gift. I look forward to being able to plan activities using the handheld technology represented by your gift. Once the students have had a chance to see use the calculators, I'll have them write you to express their gratitude. In the meantime, thank you again from the bottom of my heart”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Stern