Past projects 158
Arts for the Mind and Soul
Funded Feb 8, 2024As I watch my students focus on the blank, clean, crisp, white sheet in the multi-media sketchbook that you so generously purchased, I can see their eyes following the lines they are creating, bringing life, to the sheet, and peace and calmness into their inner being. I can see them relax with every line they sketch. They doodle, write, sketch, paint, color.... whatever they see fit for that moment. As they decompress, a calmness overtakes them. We need that calmness. They are prepping themselves for what academics and life will bring to them next.
Thank you for making it possible for me to be able to provide these multi-media sketchbooks for my students.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Rivera
This classroom project was brought to life by A Northern California Family and 6 other donors.Cubbies for Safe-Keeping
Funded Jan 14, 2024Ahhhhhh.....my students breath a sigh of relief because they now have a space to keep their fragile or very important items, such as their headphones. They no longer will be crushed in their desk or jammed in their book cubbies. Having this dedicated cubby space for their beloved books, markers, pencils, or headphones is a must have, and you made it possible for them. I could not have done it without you. They and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Organization in a classroom of 30 is key. With the added small cubbies for students to place items that would normally get crushed, their organization has been taken to the next level. Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Rivera
Engaging News of the World Around Them
Funded Dec 14, 2023Getting their weekly Time For kids hard copy magazine in their classroom mailboxes is something the students have really come to enjoy. From the engaging covers to the articles inside, the students really enjoy that the news is tailored to their age, giving them information they can take in and digest for themselves. The informations is presented in an unbiased way that gives the students the opportunity to what news to glean from every article that is up for debate.
I am very happy that the students have the opportunity to learn about the world outside their homes and schools and how choices impact those around us like the ripple effect of a pebble tossed into a pool of water. It might start small but it gets bigger as it ripples.
Having this subscription to Time For Kids has really placed the happenings of the world around them at their fingertips.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Rivera
Tidy, Clean Floors and Surfaces
Funded Dec 31, 2023We have tidy and clean floors, counters, and desks! The students eagerly wiped down their desks and counters with our new HUGE containers of wipes that will make it super easy to keep our surfaces nice and clean and as germ-free as possible. The students took turns and excitedly used our new broom and easy-to use dust pan. They were happy to sweep our classroom and leave it as clean as possible, so clean that our custodian might actually be able to take a break.
I am a firm believer that children learn best when taking taking part and taking responsibility of themselves and chores and cleaning and maintaining the spaces they use is absolutely part of that. Thank you so much for providing these materials for us. You are the best!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Rivera
Marking & Celebrating Reading Milestones
Funded Dec 21, 2023It was with such joy that I was able to present my students with the plethora of trinkets you so generously made possible for them to choose from for reaching their forty book challenge. Their little eyes lit up at the choices they had to select from, for meeting their goal. With excitement, they chose their prize and went back to their seat to set another reading goal to be able to go the the reading prize box again. Other students who had not made their minds up to join the forty book challenge eagerly signed up and have begun their book reading journey, seriously. I cannot thank you enough for allowing for such little pleasures to happen in my classroom. The students and I are absolutely thrilled at the outcome. Thank you, thank you!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Rivera
Scissors and Paper for Creative Projects
Funded Nov 28, 2023In the upper grades, sharing limited materials are a real time-waster. We have limited time each group and so students having to wait for the scissors is really not conducive to the work that needs to get done. Having plenty of scissors for each student to have their own is a time saver and game changer. Thank you for making it possible for me to have a pair a scissor for each of my students to have their own and not have to wait for their turn at the scissors.
Additionally, the plenty of paper I was able to receive through this project is wonderful. The students have been able to use to create all sort of crafts from cute origami to super flying airplanes. The students and I super grateful and thank you greatly.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Rivera
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 2 other donors.Snacks for Hungry 5th Graders
Funded Nov 28, 2023It feels great to be able to provide a daily snack to my homeroom bunch! They are so very hungry right in between breakfast and lunch that it would be impossible to get them to work without the snack I am able to provide for them. With a large class of thirty students, it is really hard to keep up the daily snack out of my own pocket, but with your help, it is so much easier. I truly think, believe it or not, that their favorite part of the day is snack time. You should see the anticipation on their faces as the time clicks closer to snack time. They are quick to point out that I am late in giving them their snack even if it's just a few seconds. You might think, "It's just a snack. What's the big deal?" But, oh, it is a big deal, to them. For whatever reason, it is a big deal. I can't explain it. All I know is that it matters to them and the difference a snack makes in keeping their attitudes positive and feeling like they can endure the rest of the day working hard at school, is evidence enough for me to continue providing them with a snack. Thank you for helping me make this possible for my students.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Rivera
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 6 other donors.Ready to Write! Dry Erase Clipboards and Desk Pencil Holders
Funded Nov 27, 2023I have a class shout-out bin where students anonymously write things they noticed that another classmate did that is worthy of a mention. Well, I made it to the shout-out bin. I never intended to have the students give a shout-out to me but they did and it was pretty amazing. Why was I mentioned? Because I worked hard at making sure they had great materials like the pencil holder that is now on each student's desk and the dry-erase "whiteboard" clipboards, all made possible by you. The students said that I dreamt it and Donor's Choose made it happen. Thank you.
The students spend less time looking for their pencil or for a pencil to use seeing that it is safely sitting on their new pencil holders. They also love the dual use of the clipboards that also act as a dry-erase board. My students and I are truly grateful for your generosity in funding this project. They now have very useful materials that are used daily. Thanks again.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Rivera
Calm Classroom Ambience
Funded Nov 14, 2023I have successfully been able to provide a calm ambiance in my classroom. The over head lights, or what we call the "big lights," are no longer triggering any discomfort, especially for my migraine sufferers. I was able to use the starry night light covers to dim the brightness of the fluorescent lights and also added string lights across the ceiling for a warm and inviting glow. The lamp also provides the warm glow but in multiple muted colors. A passerby saw the warmness that illuminated our classroom and couldn't resist checking our classroom out. Using their excact words, they said "It's a miracle" on how it feels, like something awesome and inviting. I would have never thought to call the ambiance of my classroom a "miracle" but that sounds good to me. It brings up all sorts of positive vibes. Thank you, dear donor, for making this possible for my students and me. I am truly grateful.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Rivera
This classroom project was brought to life by A Donor Who Loves Teachers and 4 other donors.Developing Our Writing, One Paragraph at a Time
Funded Sep 9, 2023These paragraph workbooks have been a game changer! Everything I need to guide students into practicing their paragraph writing is all in this book. No prep needed. The students know that every time they practice their paragraph writing, they are getting better and better. Practice makes progress, especially in writing. The prompts and guides in the book make it so it can even be assigned as independent work. When students go on independent study, they simply take their paragraph workbook with them. It's as simple as that. My life is made easier and the student get a fabulous resource that helps them develop their writing, one paragraph at a time. It's a win-win! Thank you!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Rivera
This classroom project was brought to life by The SONIC Foundation and 3 other donors.