Past projects 158
Starring Mrs. Rivera's Distance Teaching Easel
Funded May 18, 2020I thank you. My family thanks you! With the teaching easel you have provided for me to use at home for distance learning, I have been able to free up the refrigerator which I had dubbed my "Whiteboard" and so my family had to be very careful when opening it so as not to touch and accidentally erase what I had written and still needed to be on there for the next session. Additionally, my kitchen table is now free! Free of books, papers, math manipulatives, notebooks, and such seeing as the teaching easel has storage: one side of the easel has the magnetic whiteboard and chart paper rings, while on the other side there are three shelves with storage bins! I am able to record myself teaching a lesson from the easel or go live on Zoom while the students follow along and then tuck the easel away in its designated location, out of the way from my family. The anchor charts hanging safely on the rings and the writing on the whiteboard away from greasy fingers, and the materials back in the storage bins brings me such peace of mind, not to mention it gives my family their spaces back. Thank you, dear donor, for making distance learning a bit easier for my family and me. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Rivera
This classroom project was brought to life by Ravenswood Education Foundation and one other donor.A Document Camera for Live Teaching
Funded May 11, 2020Having a document camera to be able to show what is on my desk, such as the math workbook, the math manipulatives, the map with the location where the delegates met when writing the US constitution with me being able to trace out important land marks and such, has been amazing for distance learning. This document camera has, indeed, been a game changer. Anything I want to use to show to teach is easy to do with the document camera which pairs seamlessly with my computer. I, along with downloaded computer software, am able to showcase what I am teaching and also have my face in the corner, being able to show my face while also able to project the materials I am using to teach with that are on my desk, is as close to being in the classroom as it can be, given the current circumstances. I DEFINITELY would not have been able to have gotten this teaching resource without your help. Your generosity has made it possible for me to use state-of-the-art-technology from home to teach from a distance. Thank you for partnering with me in serving the children of my classroom. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Rivera
This classroom project was brought to life by Ravenswood Education Foundation and 2 other donors.Making Math Graspable
Funded Jan 5, 2020Learning math through hands on materials is the way to go indeed! My students were able to manipulate pieces to make sense of adding and subtracting decimals. They were able to compare on the number lines and able to shade decimal and fractional equivalencies on the write-on, wipe-off hundreds charts. They were able to use the place value write-on write-off strips and much more, in order to develop the concrete mathematical concepts and be able to progress to the more abstract math concepts. Without a concrete mathematical understanding, a student will have a shaky understanding of math itself. Thank you, dear donor, for making math "graspable." Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Rivera
5th Grade Leadership Copy Machine
Funded Dec 29, 2019The big smile I saw on my designated "copy machine handlers" as they were handed material to copy was priceless. They felt so responsible and needed. The students designed posters and handouts and were able hand over to the designated copy machine users to immediately make several copies ready for instant distribution. I was able to sit back and watch the "machine" of students work, all brought together on a mission through this copy machine. Thank you, dear donor, for partnering with me in making it possible for me to provide a copy machine for my students. They no longer had to wait for me to make the copies, after school, but were empowered to make, create, copy, and distribute all on their own. I see quite a few entrepreneurs and advertising specialists in the future. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Rivera
This classroom project was brought to life by An anonymous classroom supporter and 3 other donors.The Portable Classroom
Funded Dec 29, 2019We got our portable classroom thanks to you! We were able to go outside as an entire class on such beautiful spring days to work under the shady trees. With a yoga mat below us and the surf lap table providing the desktop to place our computers, notebooks, books, or paper, we were ready to learn. Additionally, students could also use the surf lap desks in class, in any nook or cranny, they chose to work in. Some students thrive on working independently away from others so this was a great option for them. Some even chose to use their portable "desk" under a table or counter-whatever worked for them as long as they worked and work they did! Thank you, dear donor, for allowing me to provide such flexible seating options for the students I serve. Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Rivera
This classroom project was brought to life by An anonymous classroom supporter and 10 other donors.A Table for Guided Small Group Work
Funded Feb 25, 2020We got our small group table and loved using it every day! I was able set the adjustable legs to the lowest level and place the table in the center of our meeting rug. We sat on the ground for our reading and writing conferences. When I wasn't conferring with students, they loved to use our small group table for group work with their classmates. They grabbed pillows and sat at the table and worked not only comfortably happy but diligently. It became the go-to spot for working with your friends. There is something about sitting on the ground using a low table that just sparks creativity and community when working on projects. Not-to-mention that not only the students, but the staff coming into my room, got a kick out of how me sitting at the table made me blend in so well that when walking into my room, there seemed to be just kids, working, diligently on task, and self-directed without any adult in sight! How awesome! Thank you, dear donor, for purchasing our small group table.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Rivera
Cooking Healthy in the Classroom
Funded Dec 28, 2019Before our classroom doors closed suddenly and unexpectedly because of the not-so-nice virus, my students were able to experience a few successful "cooking shows" while in class. I used the electric skillets to make quick and healthy meals using ingredients available in any pantry such as spaghetti sauce, shredded cheese, and whole grain sliced bread to make "pizza" and mashed-up bananas, oats, and eggs to make pancakes. "This is the best pizza ever!" exclaimed several students, "And with easy ingredients!" yelled another. Often times, the students are alone at home while they wait for their parents and so by me being able to show them a cooking demonstration, "cooking show," and then they do it themselves in class, they not only felt empowered as their cooking confidence, but they also saw how fun it could be to make a healthy snack while they wait for dinner in the evening. I only wish I was able to give them more experiences, but alas, our classroom doors were shut indefinitely. Thank you, dear donor, for allowing me to give my students cooking experiences they will never forget. Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Rivera
The Mics and the Stands for the Recording Tech
Funded Sep 23, 2019My students feel so professional now that they are able to record videos and take pictures with a lot more ease using the mics for better sound and the stands to hold the tech steady. They were able to run a school wide Christmas gift drive for the children at the hospital that didn't get to go home for the holidays. They took pictures and recorded videos to send out to the school to get the word out about the Christmas gift drive. I let them take complete control as they take their media tools out and about to capture their messages. Having the mics and stands really took it to the next level. The fifth grade leadership took on the challenge to create positive school culture to unify the school and the campaigns and service projects they are able to run is possible through the outreach they are doing using their iPad and camera and they are able to do it with much more ease and professionalism using the mics and stands. Thank you for partnering with me and finding my project. Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Rivera
Apple iPad Tech for Student Leadership Team
Funded Aug 14, 2019The students in 5th grade leadership class have been able to use the iPad, so far, to primarily record videos to upload and send to classroom teachers with messages of campaigns and such. The teachers can then show the video to their students to relay the message. The students have made simple recording announcing important events.
They've also recorded rehearsed scenes in order to launch a campaign. For instance, they've launched a Christmas gift drive to collect gifts from the student body for the sick children at the hospital and so, they created a small script and rehearsed their parts, then recorded the video that portrayed the message of their campaign. Teachers then showed the video to their classes. The student leadership has collected quite a few gifts from each classroom and look forward to delivering the toys to the hospital to distribute to the children on Christmas. This has really boosted the students empathy.
The students have also recorded and uploaded videos announcing their mini-fundraisers where they announce the baked goods they will be selling that week to raise money for school recess equipment and such.
The next campaign the students are working and planning out is a kindness campaign to combat bullying. They are excited to promote a healthy, considerate, and kind school culture, where acceptance is key.
Thank you, dear donors, for partnering with me in providing this iPad to my student leadership group so they are able to record and upload videos to share with the rest of the school. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Rivera
This classroom project was brought to life by An Anonymous Funder and 2 other donors.Smile! Snap a Picture - Build School Culture
Funded Aug 14, 2019My students in leadership, walk around campus so professional-like, snapping pictures of students at work or play, showcasing the best of each and everyone of us on the playground, in the lunchroom, in the classroom working hard, and so on. Their goal: to showcase the best we can be and build the school spirit that will drive the most positive school culture.
The simple, yet professional-like camera, is easy for the students to use and be able to upload to a computer in order to print the pictures to place on posters and newsletters. They can also easily snap pictures and send them with ease to be placed on our school website. I foresee a career in photography in their future.
Likewise, the students and staff being pictured love posing for the camera. They love being photographed as they work hard on the task at hand.
Thank you, dear donors, for partnering with me in providing my students with this tech, this camera, in order for them take the lead in building our school culture by capturing and showcasing the best in each us. Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Rivera
This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and one other donor.