Past projects 32
Peep, Peep, Peep...Chick Hatching Experience!
Funded Aug 19, 2019Thank you for your donation to our project to bring the life cycle of a chicken to our classroom and future classrooms. This unit was such a fun and engaging unit for all of us. When the boxes arrived with the items to hatch chicken eggs, my students were so excited! During this unit, we read so many books about the life cycle of a chicken and prepared ourselves for the hatching experience.
I had prearranged with a former school nurse to have our chicks taken to her family farm where they will grow and enjoy their life. Everything was all set to go, and we chose the day to set the eggs in the incubator. My students were very diligent about recording the temperature, watching the humidity, and keeping an eye on the rotation of the eggs. When it was time, my husband and I came at night to candle the eggs to see the progress they were making. I took photos and videos to share that magical experience with my students.
We patiently kept checking and observing the eggs, until one day we could hear the peeping sounds coming from the tiny hole they baby chicks had made. When the first chick finally emerged from the egg, all of my students were in awe and they sang happy birthday to it in a sweet quiet voice. The next few days we saw more chicks hatch and finally after they had all fluffed out, we moved them to our chick nursery where the brooder was. They loved watching them and reading books to them. Their little peeping sounds made our room full of joy. We took care of the chicks for a week an half, and then it was time to move them to the farm. My students were sad, but also excited for their adventure and new life at this beautiful family farm. The farmer sends us photos of our chicks and how they are changing and growing. They are great egg layers and doing well.
Thank you again for your donation to this life cycle project. It was such a wonderful learning experience and one that I will continue to do with future students as well.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Finch
This classroom project was brought to life by San Diego Gas & Electric and 2 other donors.The Joy of a Classroom Pet!
Funded Aug 23, 2019When the boxes arrived with the items to have a classroom pet, my students were so excited! We set everything up and spent a few days talking about the expectations for having a pet in our classroom. I read a few books about Guinea Pigs and they researched facts about how to care for them.
During the Labor Day weekend, I went to the pet store to see if the one little guy was still there. My husband and I saw him on another day and thought his quirky hair and personality was adorable. He was there when we went back and I bought him!
My students came in the next morning and were thrilled and immediately read the sign from Gus. It was an instant connection. They love him and think he is the cutest creature in the world. They help refill his dry food and change out the water. All of them take turns reading to Gus and will often just sit and stare watching his every move. We have spent the last few weeks letting Gus get to know us, listening to our quiet voices, and reading to him. He is getting used to us and our classroom, often pop corning and weeking with joy. My students love seeing him first thing in the morning and he makes all of us happy.
Thank you so much for your donation to our project and for the joy that Gus brings to our classroom.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Finch
This classroom project was brought to life by San Diego Gas & Electric and 5 other donors.Love to Read!
Funded Mar 1, 2019We were very excited when we received the box of books to add to our classroom library. My 2nd graders handed them all out on their tables and began reading them right away. We spent some time looking through all of the titles. They shared with groups at their tables what they noticed and liked about the picture books. My 2nd graders wanted me to read them all that day. It was perfect timing when we received the books, because we were learning about kindness and how our acts of kindness ripple out into the world for others to experience. One of the books was called "The Big Umbrella." We just finished an art project where the students painted a watercolor puddle. Then they designed themselves in a rain jacket with rain boots and painted a large umbrella. This book complimented our art project and was also a story about kindness. They loved this book!
I am always looking for and researching new picture books that will tie into our curriculum and the content we are learning. It is important for students to have characters that represent them and that they can relate with these characters. Picture books are wonderful resources for inspiring a student to develop a love of reading, because they have beautiful and interesting pictures. The vocabulary and reading level in some picture books are really high, so they can challenge students as readers as well. These books are great for beginning readers too because reading pictures is a form of reading.
Having these new books in our classroom has been a refreshing addition to the subject areas we are studying. I appreciate everyone who donated and supported our project to inspire a love of reading in my 2nd graders. As Nancie Atwell states, "Literacy blooms wherever children have access to books they want to read, permission to choose their own, and time to get lost in them." This is the environment I want for my 2nd graders and future students. You have helped me create this environment, and I am so grateful for your generosity.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Finch
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose.org Community and 5 other donors.Be the Magic!
Funded Apr 28, 2018Attending the "Get Your Teach On" National Conference was the most amazing professional learning experience I have ever had. I live in El Cajon, CA so I was able to drive to the conference location in San Diego each day. The first day was the pre-game, and that is where I heard a fabulous Keynote speech from Dave Burgess, the author of many inspiring teaching books. His speech was captivating. The entire GYTO team created the first day to be magical, and over 2,500 teachers were thrilled and excited to be there.
The next morning was day 2, and I was there early to buy a t-shirt and some more educational books. Hope and Wade King, the main creators of GYTO, say "How you start your day, is how you should end your day." They had a band playing as soon as teachers were arriving for the Keynote. Hope and Wade's Keynote speech was inspiring and motivational. I learned that my creativity is something to be proud of, and to not listen to the "Joker" (a term from their brilliant book, called "The Wild Card") when negative comments come into my life. I read their book before the GYTO conference; I brought it with me to see if I could get it signed. That 2nd day, I was excited to have both of them sign it and I also got a picture with the two of them. Then, I went to many amazing break out sessions, and even attended the ones during lunch so I wouldn't miss a thing. All of the sessions and presenters were great! I now have more tools for creating STEM activities, reading strategies, and the one that I am most passionate about, incorporating more relevant social studies topics and celebrating the variety of cultures we have in our classroom. Day 2 ended on an even more exciting and positive note than when it began. I am looking forward to bringing more energy into my classroom and start our day on such a high note, and then end it the same way, full of joy, passion, and creativity.
Day 3 was my favorite day, because the Keynote speaker Michael Bonner was amazing. Again, all of the break out sessions were filled with activities that I am already planning to use in my classroom for next year. These activities are engaging, rigorous, and fun. My students are going to have a blast! I have always believed that relationships matter the most, and I work really hard on getting to know each and every one of my kids and families. However, this next school year I have some other ideas from this conference that I am going to incorporate. One is to eat lunch with my students and even other kids that are not in my class. I want to be more of a "school teacher" than just a "2nd grade teacher," like Hope King says. I also want to keep connecting with my students' families and get them more involved in our classroom. I will create some engaging experiences for my students and families. When Day 3 ended, I was full of energy. Every night after the conference I would come home and tell my husband about all of the strategies and ideas I learned. My Twitter and Instagram feed are full of the experience I was having. The next day after the conference had ended, I was sort of sad because it was such a positive and uplifting experience, that I wanted more. I wanted to be around these passionate and like minded educators. I made a lot of wonderful connections with other teachers from around the country, and I am excited to have them as resources and friends. The rest of my summer vacation will be focused on fanning this fire and passion for education by planning, creating, reading, and designing lessons that will help my 2nd graders thrive academically, emotionally, and socially.
Without your support and donation, I would not have been able to experience this life and career changing conference. I am moved to tears and extremely grateful that you supported me and that I was able to attend. Get Your Teach On was so engaging and full of content, that I will relive it and remember different aspects of it as I implement the ideas into my classroom. This experience will touch the hearts of next years 2nd graders, and future students. I want to share it with everyone I meet! Thank you so much for your generosity and your uplifting comments on my project.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Finch
This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 8 other donors.Books To Better Ourselves
Funded Oct 20, 2017When the books arrived, my 2nd graders were so thrilled and excited to open the boxes! We took out each of the books, read the titles, and guessed what the topic of each book would be. Every week, I set out some of the books for a small group to explore, read, and look through the pictures during our Reading groups. I hear great comments and conversations from the small groups as they share with their buddy their favorite part of the book or picture.
I started reading one of the books from the author, Julia Cook, each week after recess. My students are loving her books the most, because of her detailed text, colorful pictures, and the topics of her books. Each book has a valuable social skill that we discuss as a whole group, and we refer back to that skill we are practicing throughout the week. It makes my teacher heart happy to hear my students talk about a specific character from the book and what that character would do in a certain situation. They are all learning different strategies to help them solve problems and how to be a more flexible and tolerant student. I am proud of the character values they are showing, and very grateful for the books you helped our classroom receive. Thank you for your generosity, and for inspiring my students.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Finch
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose.org Community and 4 other donors.The Strength of Tolerance
Funded Sep 18, 2017My 2nd graders were very excited when the boxes arrived in our classroom. It was fun to see their eyes light up as I opened each box and read the title of the book to them. Of course, they wanted me to read each book to them right then, but I explained how this would be an ongoing unit of study. Teaching Tolerance is important, because most of my students are only exposed to the community that is around them. The books I selected will help them become aware of other kids from different backgrounds, and walks of life.
During the day, my kids have different blended learning rotation areas they go to, and one area is called our "Reading Room." I set up the furniture to feel like a cozy little book nook, and they have enjoyed reading the text and the images in our new books. I am also focusing on one book to showcase each week, and we are seeing similarities in the characters we are reading about. We also discuss the differences we see. Each of us have special qualities and experiences that make us unique. My 2nd graders have also referred back to a character from a specific book in our daily conversations.
Your donation to this project has touched my students' hearts and will continue to make an impact on the future students I teach. I am so grateful for your generosity and helping us get some books that show the diversity and beauty of our world. Thank you again for believing in our project and for valuing the importance of teaching tolerance to these young minds.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Finch
This classroom project was brought to life by An Anonymous Funder and 3 other donors.Influential and Inspiring People
Funded Feb 6, 2017When the boxes arrived, my 2nd graders were so excited! When they saw the styrofoam balls, they wanted to begin making their Biography Doll right away. All of the materials were very helpful in creating some amazing looking replications of their inspirational person. This project was fun from the start to the very end. First, we talked a lot about people who have changed our world and made things better for others. My students chose a person they wanted to research and learn more about. They read some books that I purchased about the person they selected, found articles on the Internet to read, and then took all of their facts and typed them out on a Google Slideshow I created. After taking notes on their research slideshow, they then wrote a final Informative Writing piece and also created a photo collage of their person on their computer.
The final piece to this project was to design a replication of their person. My students brought in empty 2-liter soda bottles. One evening, I cut out a hole in the styrofoam ball so the cap of the bottle could fit inside, and then I hot glued the balls onto the caps. Trouser socks were used to cover the styrofoam, and my students began using glue to create hair, eyebrows, and all the details on the faces of their Biography Doll. Next, they covered the bottle with material to hide it, and then used a specific piece of material for their person's outfit. My students were creative makers for over a week. The last step was the fun part; they added details and props to really make their person come to life. Before they were even finished with their dolls, they kept asking me when they were going to be able to take them home. They love them and they are so proud of all of their hard work.
This project is in its' final phase, my students are recording their voices and reading a short script to make a video in which their doll will talk. We will share their recordings with family and friends. My students are also going to present their dolls and their Informative Writing to other grade levels at our school. I hope to also have them on display in our Library and also at our Spring Arts Festival. When asked about their inspirational person, they are excited to share the facts they learned and to especially share their Biography Doll. Thank you for helping us make this idea and project come to life! I am planning on writing a blog post about the process, because other teachers have asked me about the entire project. It is definitely a project I will do again in the future.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Finch
Reading Adventures!
Funded Sep 10, 2016My 2nd graders were so excited to receive the boxes filled with beautiful, new books in the mail. They wanted to read all of them right away! I explained to my students that we will be using them during our group time, and then taking them home to read at night. Most of my students don't have books at home to read, and but they are enjoying them so much. They love having a book to bring home and then back to school to use the next day.
This week we started our first Book Clubs using these new books. Each group has begun reading their leveled chapter book and answering specific questions that I have developed about each of the books. The discussions my students have been having is so inspiring! They take their book home to read a chapter at night too. I've heard comments from students saying that they couldn't just read one chapter, so they read more. Your donation to our class has truly inspired a love for reading.
I can also see how these chapter books will help improve students' writing because they are filled with wonderful, vivid characters. During our Book Club meetings, we discuss these characters and the experiences they have and what we can learn from them. Our discussions are fun, engaging, and make us think in different ways.
Thank you again for these amazing chapter books and helping us to develop our Book Clubs. We are a family in Room 9; reading together, talking with each other, and listening to all of the ideas and opinions we have from reading our new books.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Finch
Innovative Spaces
Funded Mar 14, 2016I created this project, because I knew the importance of allowing students to have choices for seating. I bought six Yoga balls for my students to sit on, and they loved them, so I knew I had to try these Wobble Stools. Our project was funded and then our boxes arrived on the last day before spring break. I was attending the CUE 2016 conference in Palm Springs, so I was checking on the status of the packages from time to time. I had told the office workers and my substitute that we were expecting a delivery, and when they arrived, my sub texted me a picture. She told me the kids were so thrilled and excited.
During spring break, I came into my classroom to set them up, and put them at our Writing center area. When spring break was over, and my students returned, it was like a celebration! They were very happy. The kids enjoy having different seating choices. They also use them so responsibly and are always sharing them with their peers. I can tell they are concentrating and focusing more closely on their work. That slight movement helps them not feel so restrained and they are more comfortable and relaxed on these stools.
I am still designing and creating a 21st Century classroom, that is unique and comfortable. Your donation for our Wobble Stools has helped us to move towards a more creative and innovative learning environment. My students love the stools, and I am in awe of the level of concentration from them. They are fearless learners, and ready to experience new things, like our flexible seating. Thank you so much for your generosity and helping us reach this goal. We are excited to reach for our next goal, with our project entitled "Our BHAG" Big, Hairy, Audacious, Goal. It will help us use technology and apps on an iPad, while connecting with other students around the world.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Finch
This classroom project was brought to life by #BestSchoolDay and 7 other donors.Creating Innovative Leaders...
Funded Jun 24, 2015When the boxes arrived, I hid the one with Dash and Dot, so my students wouldn't see them until later. I did open the box with the books, and they were so excited and wanted me to read them all right then. A few weeks later, after reading the amazing books about robotics and technology, I left the box with Dash and Dot out on the counter. It is a bright blue and orange box, and as soon as they saw it, they all asked what was inside. I told them we had a new classroom pet, but that they would need to learn how to care for this special addition to our classroom by learning Blockly and code on our computers. They eagerly started working hard on solving puzzles in Blockly, and creating lines of code though code.org.
Then one day while they were working quietly in groups, I used my tablet to make Dash drive around the perimeter of our room. The kids went wild! Immediately, they fell in love with him! I picked him up so gently and and carried him like a pet to our carpet area. They all sat around the edge of the carpet, and I drove him around. They were giggling and calling him over to them, as if he were a brand new puppy. We talked about how I could use the tablet to program him to move, blink, make sounds, and I even recorded my voice to say, "Time for lunch, boys and girls." They did not want to go to lunch that day! I sat Dash on our table and he watched us line up quietly. He is an excellent helper with classroom behavior.
After that first meeting, Dash was an instant hit and has become a dear part of our classroom family. They love programming him and making him follow paths in small groups. They are all getting better with Blockly, code, and using their imagination. Sometimes I hear them just talking with Dash like a real life creature. It is fun to see them care so deeply for him, and to treat him with such care. He is the easiest classroom pet ever! He only requires a little electricity and TLC. Your donation has helped us learn the language of code, as well as creating an atmosphere of imagination, fun, and creativity in our classroom. Dash and Dot are loved, and will be loved for many years to come. Thank you so much for your donation to my innovative and fearless 2nd graders.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Finch