Mrs. Banks' Classroom Edit display name

Current requests

Past projects 8

• Classroom Uplift

  Funded Dec 20, 2024

  Honestly I had given this project no hope. I was thinking that I needed to get into the mindset that my “classroom uplift” wouldn’t be happening. Until today…. Thank you so much for making this come true for me! I am so excited to start the second half of the year with a new and improved look!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Banks

  This classroom project was brought to life by CFP Foundation and ESPN.

• Meet With Teacher Pager System

  Funded Jan 10, 2023

  Projects in the classroom can be, well, stressful. For this particular project, Influential Hoosiers, my students needed to be able to complete several different tasks to be able to be successful. From writing biographies, to planning their project, then executing the projects, and finally the creation project, can make meeting the needs of students hard. When a student gets stuck on a certain task they are waiting for me to be available to help them. But with so many different needs, I am very rarely available.

  The pager system was helpful because I was able to organize how I met with students. The students would come and get a pager, then place the number on the board. I would page the numbers as they were written on the board for those that needed to meet with me. This also helped, because the transitions were easy and aimless. Students were able to receive the page, then come and meet with me quickly. I was able to meet with more students because of this. Thank you for helping to make project time less stressful and more productive.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Banks

• Winter and Dry Conditions are Approaching!

  Funded Dec 30, 2022

  According my most recent testing data, in Reading I had 55% reach their set goal. Then in Math, I had 91% reach their goal. Along with this astounding data, I also had roughly 20 out of my 22 students show over growth in both Reading and Math. I give some of the credit to you. You were able to provide me with the basic needs that we have encountered to help them focus on their learning and growth.

  When I was explaining the "care closet" I had so many students show their relief on their face. These are items that are commonly forgotten, or just that they don't have access to at home. Countless times a student has come to me in despair, worried about their hygiene. Having the ability to provide them with what they are needing has such an intrinsic good feeling.

  Not only have I been able to meet the needs of my own students, but now with the approaching warmer weather, there have been more students in other classrooms that have come to me hoping to have access to the care closet. My hopes is to write another proposal requesting items to refill the closet for my future students. When this is done, I hope you will consider donating again.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Banks

  This classroom project was brought to life by an Anonymous Classroom Supporter and 8 other donors.

• BFG Novel Study

  Funded Mar 16, 2021

  We cannot say thank you enough. With this project we were able to fully immerse each student into the BFG Novel study. The students spent time each day, technology free, reading along in their book. Using post-its, they were able to document their journeys through dream country. As a class we discussed the book by comparing the characters, building a plot map, creating our own dream jars, and making predictions. Finally, the students were able to compare and contrast the book to the film. We were able to find many similarities as well as differences between the two. Being able to complete the book study, especially during COVID, was a highlight of our year. Many students left our classrooms wanting more from Ronald Dahl.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Banks

  This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 9 other donors.

• Bring Life to the Book

  Funded Dec 8, 2020

  From the bottom of my heart, thank you. My students truly loved the book. The biggest impact was that each student was able to take owner in their learning because they were able to complete the novel study at their own pace. Reading this book also sparked an interest in this particular author. Students are venturing out to read more books similar to this.

  During this book study the students were able to share their thoughts using post-its. They would respond to certain parts on the post-its, and they would explain their thinking on that part. Students also answered general comprehension questions and different activities to expand their thinking about the book and its theme

  As a final project each student created an Amazon listing for the book. Using technology and Google Sheets/Slides, students were able to write about the book. After creating, then editing, the sections the students used Google slides to create a final project to be proud about. Thank you again for giving us this opportunity.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Banks

• Learning During COVID-19

  Funded Aug 2, 2020

  Thank you from the bottom of all our hearts for your kind donation! Having the Logitech pencil has helped me to better use my ipad when teaching. It has helped because I am able to make my writing more legible while writing on my ipad. Using the digital pencil helps me to keep the students engaged because they are able to better understand what I am teaching, instead of trying to focus on what I am writing.

  The students also really enjoy the doorbell in the classroom. We use the doorbell when we are transitioning. This helps for me to not have to extend my voice over the students along with trying to talk over my mask. There are times when we like to change the tone. Along with the doorbell, the microphone has also helped with amplifying my voice. This helps me to not strain my voice when addressing the students either in the classroom or in the cafeteria.

  Thank you again for helping to support my classroom while we are learning during such a difficult time.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Banks

• Totally Technology

  Funded Jun 25, 2019

  Thank you for your generous donation to help my instructional assistant utilize technology within her lessons and small groups. The ability to easily access Canvas, Pearson and PearDeck allows the group to easily get started and utilize the entire time they have together.

  My assistant has been able to share scores and progress from Star testing with the students in real time. Allowing them to have conversations on how to improve their scores and how the test impacts other aspects of learning. The conversations help to create interest and excitement for upcoming testing windows.

  Using the IPAD during weekly testing allows my Instructional Assistant to monitor the tests as the students are completing them and draw attention to places where the students are making mistakes before the test is submitted allowing the students to get a second chance at the problem and increasing their scores, which increases the students confidence and love of learning.

  We truly appreciate your donations that have helped our teaching and learning to become more impactful and meaningful.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Banks

  This classroom project was brought to life by Google.org and 3 other donors.

• Helping Us Learn With Flexible Seating

  Funded Nov 27, 2018

  What a difference these seating options have made in our classroom. The students really seem to enjoy the flexible seating that we now have available in the classroom. Students are welcomed to move about the room and use the different materials while working on independent work. The students were hesitant at first to use the standing table. After a day of trying out, they seem to have fallen in love with it. Students will gather around it complete their math online assignments.

  I was too excited to wait until the materials came to tell them. As soon as the project was fully funded, we had a small dance party. They didn't fully understand what we were getting until the materials arrived on Friday. The students were able to come in on Monday to all the new seating options ready. They were full of questions about how we would be using them and when were they going to be able to try them out.

  The students love the new seating so much that I am hoping to expand our abilities by obtaining more seating options. Our next steps include a decorative carpet to add some color for the students that prefer to sit and lay on the floor, wobble stools for students who need to move while learning, and stability balls.

  Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for helping to make our dream come true!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Banks