Past projects 5
Diverse Books for All Students
Funded Aug 12, 2020Thank you so much for supporting my project! Getting a big box of books just made me think of all the wonderful conversations and lessons to come. I specifically chose these books to represent the diversity in my classroom. I have students from a multitude of backgrounds that are not always represented in literature in a meaningful way. We read It's Ok to be Different by Sharon Purtill as a jumping off point for a conversation about what makes us unique, what makes us stand out, and why it is important to recognize differences as well as respect them. My students are entirely remote learners this year. It is a challenge for them to feel seen and heard in this setting. Because of the books I've been gifted, I can connect with students' cultures and families. Thank you so much for giving me the tools to help my students feel connected even though we are all learning from home.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Westfall
This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 2 other donors.Erasable Work, Permanent Knowledge
Funded Mar 13, 2018Thank you for supporting my students! They have been having so much fun practicing their math facts on white boards. My students get so excited every time I ask them to take their boards out of their desks. They have been amazing tools for engagement! We also use them for phonics practice. They time themselves to practice their vowels, digraphs, and other letter. We use the reading pockets along with our curriculum. They can slide the curriculum books into the pockets and write on them to express their understanding. This is a huge tool! Thank you for helping my students engage with their learning. We appreciate you!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Westfall
This classroom project was brought to life by SONIC Drive-In and 2 other donors.Gather Round!
Funded Sep 21, 2017Thank you for your incredibly generous gift to my students! It is amazing how much of a difference that has made in our morning meeting and instruction time. The structured space is not only useful but beautiful. When the custodian delivered the big package to my room all the students were overjoyed. They were literally jumping out of their chairs! The next day, they walked in to see their beautiful, new carpet.
We use it every single day, multiple times a day. Every morning we have morning meeting where we sit around the carpet to discuss what we are doing for the day. We have daily writing lessons and small group sessions on the carpet. One of the kid's favorite things to do is lay on the carpet to read! The carpet has created a happy space for learning that my students love! Thank you so much for allowing my students this opportunity.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Westfall
Hands on Supplies!
Funded Sep 21, 2017Thank you for your generous donation! The many tools that you provided are so helpful in my students' learning. The day we got the big box of goodies the kids couldn't wait to open it! We made a big deal about opening the box and oooing and awing over each item. They love to use the place value stamps to practice their addition and subtraction. They love using the letter stamps to work on their spelling and practice phonics and rhymes. They especially love the vocabulary games because it doesn't feel like work to them! Little do they know they are learning so much!
These tools have been so useful and helpful. I have been able to implement more engaging learning opportunities with these. The kids beg to use them, even when it is recess time! It is so hard to tell them they have to stop learning! Thank you again for your donation. I am so appreciative!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Westfall
Wiggle and Wobble All Day
Funded Dec 4, 2016Thank you for supporting my students! Their focus has increased greatly as a result of gaining access to the wiggle stools. We have been using the stools every day as a form of alternative seating. Each student has gotten a chance to try out the stools and now the students who benefit most are using them daily. When I excitedly told them about the new seating, they couldn't wait to try them out! In the words of one of my students, "I didn't know I needed to move so much to focus." This sentiment was echoed by other students as well. I am looking at adding more forms of alternative seating in the future based on this success. The students love to work in unconventional places and are most successful when their work space works for them. Thank you for supporting my students. They are growing and learning because of you!
If the seats had Amazon reviews, this is what some of my students would write:
HS: It's really awesome because when you start wiggling around it feels really weird. Because sometimes it just helps you focus. You need a little bit of weird to kick your day off with a lot of focus.
ES: I really like the stools because you can wiggle around in them. They're also fun because sometimes when you're wiggling you can use a rhythm. You can have a little fun while you're doing your work. I give it a 5 star rating.
CZ: I think that it kind of gives you a feel like a boat. And I focus when I'm on a boat. 5 star rating.
NG: They're really fun because in the old chairs I really want to lean back but it's hard to move like that. But with the wiggle seat you can move your upper body and it will just move you around.
HF: I like them because you get to find different ways to move.
BM: The wiggle seats are so amazing! Sometimes you just need to wiggle and there it is! It helps me to focus.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Westfall