Past projects 15
Computer Coding in the Library
Funded Jun 21, 2017Our robots have arrived! The Ozobots Bit and Evo (the cute little guys), Sphero SPRK (the robotic ball) as well as the Robot Mouse programming games, are here and getting ready to go! I have spent the past weeks getting myself up to speed on the functions and capabilities of the different robots and am super excited at their potential! The Ozobots are programmed using markers. They follow marker lines of different colors and their color sensors respond accordingly. By drawing the colored lines in particular ways students can program Ozobot to speed up, slow down, turn, jump, spin and more. The Sphero SPRK is controlled via an app, which can be used as a remote control, or as a block-based programming language. Students learn to code it behavior in a fun, interactive way. Robot Mouse is a fun coding game for my younger students where they have to program the mouse to navigate through a maze to the cheese. It is educational and adorable!
My plan is to unveil the robots to all my library students during Computer Science Ed Week, December 4-11. My Friday afternoon coding/robotics group will begin meeting that week as well, and the kids are clamoring to join the group. I have given the students a sneak peek at the robots and they are very excited to get their hands (and minds) on them! I know this will help keep many students excited for library and for computer science in general.
Your generous donations have made these purchases possible and will undoubtedly have an impact on these young lives. I truly appreciate your support!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Goldberg
All Lost in the School Library (Fiction Version)
Funded Oct 11, 2016Our fiction shelf signs arrived this week and my library students and I were delighted! As you can see from my pictures, my bookshelves were labeled with temporary (and ugly) sticky notes. Now that the shelf signs have arrived the shelves are looking much more attractive. Students are finding it easier and more fun to browse and search for picture books.
As in nearly all libraries, my fiction books are arranged alphabetically by author's last name. My younger students struggle to learn and understand this concept, while my older students have difficulty navigating the shelves locating the books they want. Having these appealing, eye-catching signs make it easier for me to teach about the arrangement of the books in the library and how to find the ones they seek. Kids enjoy participating in scavenger hunts and other activities that teach them about the arrangement of the books, and these signs make it that much clearer for them.
Improving my library for my students is an ongoing endeavor. I thank you on behalf of my students for your generous help!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Goldberg
Students Need an iPad and Color Printer in the Library
Funded Aug 14, 2014What a difference the color printer/copier and iPad have made in our library, and it is all due to your generosity!
Thanks to you, I now have the ability to print and/or copy attractive, colorful work to use with my students in the library. Worksheets and illustrations of all types just look better when they are in vivid color. The kids do seem to respond differently to color than to drab black and gray. Colorful bulletin boards displaying student work are now a snap to create, and I can print student work as they intend it to look. Also, my students clamor to use the iPad to access our online library catalog, play educational games and apps, and to access the internet for a variety of purposes.
With our tight school budget there would have been no way for me to acquire these powerful tools for my library without your generous support. My students and I greatly appreciate the help you have given us!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Goldberg
Students Need a Chromebook in the Library
Funded Sep 18, 2014The Chromebook you so generously helped me to purchase for our library has made a wonderfully positive impact on my teaching and student learning. The kids and I are so excited to use the device in the library for many purposes.
First, students use the Chromebook to search our online catalog and find just the right book to satisfy their interests or to support learning they are doing in their classrooms. Now, when a student asks me if I have a particular book or a book on a particular subject, I hand them the Chromebook and let them search our collection for themselves. For younger students, I sit with them and we browse the collection together.
Another powerful use for the Chromebook in the library has been pairing it with a projector and speakers so whole classes of students can view whatever I am doing. This allows us to read texts, explore websites and apps, and view online videos together.
Finally, students who need to access the internet for research and other school projects can come use the Chromebook in the library. With it's quick startup time, touchscreen and long battery life, the Chromebook is an amazingly convenient tool for accessing and surfing the web. I often choose to use it myself, rather than booting up one of the desktop computers.
Thank you again for helping bring this powerful learning tool to my students and me. We are truly grateful!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Goldberg
The Little School Library That Could
Funded Mar 18, 2014Our document camera arrived on a Tuesday and by Thursday it was in full effect, projecting the engaging images and texts from picture books, graphic novels, and magazines in vivid color on the big screen. Students were thrilled to be sharing in these stories together from their seats. Suddenly, each child wanted a chance to read the text on the screen.
What a wonderful enhancement to the library program you have provided these lovely, inquisitive students! While some students had already experienced this technology in their classrooms, others were getting their first taste of the power of a document camera -- and they were absolutely spellbound. My ancient overhead projector is now history!
My students and I are deeply grateful for your generosity. Please know that your contribution has made a significant difference in the literate lives of all our students.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Goldberg
This classroom project was brought to life by 100 Women in Hedge Funds and 7 other donors.