Mrs. Westover's Classroom Edit display name

Past projects 6

• Experience a Classic

  Funded Mar 14, 2023

  I am grateful for your gift. Without your help, I wouldn't have been able to do this on my own.

  This gift gives every child in my classroom to hold a physical copy of these books. Holding onto a book, even in this day of technology, is very important for students. Thank you just isn't enough.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Westover

• Green Screen Studio

  Funded May 7, 2019

  All I can say right now is WOW! You all have made our green screen dreams come true. I can't wait to plan and prepare the best ways to use this new system. My students are going to be blown away! Thank you for the green screen, the lights, the microphone, and a tripod. Again, THANK YOU so much for supporting our class!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Westover

  This classroom project was brought to life by Google.org and 2 other donors.

• Autism Tools in the Classroom

  Funded Aug 23, 2018

  Imagine walking into a classroom with a shipping box, the ripping sound of the tape being pulled from the cardboard, and the audible gasp as the newest surprises were delivered. That is exactly what happened each and every time part of our project arrived at our school. My students were beyond excited to get their hands on the new supplies or to be the first to try out the equipment.

  After the initial wow wore off I am happy to report that I am able to see students use all of the supplies as a regular part of their school day. All of the materials purchased for this project are always available for students to select as needed. The noise canceling headphones are often grabbed as students are working independently. The bands are located on two chairs. Students are able to grab one of those unique chairs first thing in the morning. I watch students "bounce" their way throughout the day. No longer do they feel the need to pace but use the bands to get wiggles out. A very similar tool is the wobble stool. Once one gets past the unusual look of the chair one realizes just how comfortable the chair really is. While students are listening or working a lot of movement is able to happen without distracting other students or the teacher. Last, but not least in any way are our "testing tools". These are the fidget tools that students are able to have in their hand while they are working. Students often ask for them during reading or testing time. Being able to fidget with them helps their stress flow out through their fingers instead of onto their test.

  All of these tools have become a core part of my classroom. I can't imagine teaching without them. Thank you for all of your support.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Westover

  This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 7 other donors.

• Student Success on the Soccer Field

  Funded Aug 18, 2018

  When I asked to create a school soccer 3x3 soccer tournament for any students interested I knew I needed supplies and help. With your donations I was able to not only hold the tournament but I created something that students are still talking about.

  When we chose to have a 3x3 tournament I was hoping to have thirty or so students participate a year. Oh how wrong I was! We had ninety-five students sign up to participate. Students were then put into teams of three. Each was given a chance to play a practice game before our single elimination games began. For over a month, soccer games were played during our lunch period. That means that through your donations I was able to play three games a lunch period. We were able to keep score and have the things we needed to run a very successful tournament.

  The soccer tournament affected more than those ninety-five students who were actual playing. Other students came to our games to support their friends and classmates. Other teachers got involved helping as well. This project went far beyond what I thought it would accomplish. Students are already asking about the tournament for next year.

  With your donation I was able to add a positive tradition that will continue for years to come.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Westover

  This classroom project was brought to life by DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation - Sports Matter and 5 other donors.

• Magazines to Enrich Science and Literacy Curriculum

  Funded Jul 1, 2015

  Step into my shoes for a moment. You have a classroom of students who want to and need to learn certain skills. Each of students come with different skills, both strengths and weaknesses, and different interests as well. It can be overwhelming. Now you need reading and science materials that can be used by one and all. As a teacher it can often be hard to find reading material that excites all students. Next to the interest factor it is hard to find articles or information that aren't bogged down with language above their reading levels. Or articles that are appropriate in length for all reading levels. You can imagine my excitement when I found the Super Science Magazines for kids. I knew these would engage all of my students.

  Skip forward a few weeks when I found out that "Magazines to Enrich Science and Literacy Curriculum" project had been funded. I was thrilled. I knew that I was going to have the latest, fun, engaging articles about science for my kids. I didn't have any idea exactly how excited my students would be when these were introduced into our classroom. When we do the introduction video before we begin reading they can't wait to dig into each magazine. They immediately who is going to read them first.

  Though we have had a very short amount of time to use these magazines in class we have used them in multiple ways. We read articles as partners to work on our fluency. We read articles and write summaries. We read articles to create quizzes to give to other reading groups. We read articles to support our science core.

  Thank you doesn't even begin to express our thanks. The excited that comes each month with our new magazines is contagious. My students ask to read - yes ask. They are always hoping that their reading groups are the first to read from their new articles. These magazines will be saved and used for years to come.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Westover

• iPads for Enhanced Learning

  Funded Mar 4, 2015

  You should have heard the cheer when we first received our box and the students realized what it was. They were beyond excited. My students felt so proud to have new iPads. They seem to understand that these were gifts from friends and strangers alike. Gifts that said, "We believe in you. You are worth it!" As soon as I was able to get our iPads out of the box and set up my students were clamoring to be the first to try them out.

  I love having these extra set of tools around our classroom. They have been great during math practice when practicing a skill or becoming more fluent with our multiplication tables. They are fun to use to create stories to share with each other and younger students in our school. I have just begun to scratch the surface when it comes to programs and apps that support our social studies and science core. I look forward to spending large amounts of time finding the best resources that will help enhance our curriculum and the world around them.

  I have a classroom filled with a fantastic bunch of kids that deserve the very best education they can get. Thank you for believing in my students as much as I do.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Westover