Ms. Jess Hinds' Classroom Edit display name

Past projects 134

• Caribbean Poetry Extravaganza Ii

  Funded Jul 7, 2024

  When students meet working poets, they are inspired, invigorated and awakened to all the possibilities of the written word.

  Samantha Thornhill is a fascinating poet and author who performed spoken word poetry in a dramatic and exciting way to our elementary and middle school students. The theme of her poetry is "Self and Community Love" and she shared stories and poems about learning to love herself when she felt like an outsider as a new immigrant from Trinidad and Tobago. When she moved to the Bronx in New York City, kids made fun of her accent, but she learned to embrace her individuality and culture through poetry and stories.

  It was a pleasure and honor to share one of my favorite poets with my students! I hope to do it again very soon.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Jess Hinds

• Help Me Be a Better Reading Teacher

  Funded Jan 24, 2024

  Thank you for understanding the power of professional development to help support and revitalize educators working in a challenging, rigorous and always rewarding environment. The science of reading has swept over our schools as the new standard method of teaching reading, and in a short time we have completely changed our understanding of the importance of phonics. It was meaningful and helpful to me to educate myself on this new research.

  I purchased materials and embarked on professional learning that helped me broaden my understanding of what ELA teachers were doing, so that I could be the best librarian I can be.

  Thank you for helping me grow and thrive as a lifelong learner and educator.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Jess Hinds

• Virtual Poetry Visit: Self-Love Poetry

  Funded Apr 11, 2024

  It was beyond inspiring to hear poet Samantha Thornhill speak about her accomplishments and read poetry aloud to our students.

  Ms. Thornhill was just as powerful a speaker with the 1st grade students as she was with our 7th and 8th grade. Whether she was reading aloud from a visceral poem about being bitten in the face by a German Shepard as a child, or she was reading from a story about a children's talent show for a young audience, she was embraced by everyone. Students and teachers alike were inspired by her visit and she helped us transform the space into more of an active library this year! Thanks for celebrating literacy with us.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Jess Hinds

  This classroom project was brought to life by Center for Disaster Philanthropy and 6 other donors.

• Story Time, Hot Chocolate & Fairy Lights

  Funded Jan 18, 2024

  Thank you for valuing reading and embracing the power of communities to create a warm, welcoming library space in Harlem.

  We are grateful for your help getting through the winter months and keeping students' spirits high. We had hot chocolate and fairy lights in our cozy reading corner, and by spring students left their "hibernation" ready to read even more! Now as we approach the summer months, I believe students will carry this love of reading with them and continue building their literacy skill. When the days were darker, you gave us a bright and cheerful library!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Jess Hinds

  This classroom project was brought to life by Someone who cares about New York City and 2 other donors.

• Thirsty for the Magic of Eric Carle!

  Funded Jan 18, 2024

  We have loved celebrating spring in Harlem, and our Eric Carle books and seed packets have allowed us to start growing beautiful gardens and literary blooms! Students' love of words and language is blossoming.

  My co-teacher, Hawker encourages students to become strong readers and learners through plant care. "So...do you want a plant? To take care of? It will be your responsibility."

  The question piques students' interest and makes them smile. Some students answer, "Yes, I do want a plant!" right away while others hesitate, caught off-guard. "What? A plant? For me?"

  I've witnessed this interaction dozens of times. I love how Ms. Hawker focuses on the individual with a laser-like intensity. This nurturing has helped countless individuals to build their confidence to read, research, pursue goals and live their dreams.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Jess Hinds

  This classroom project was brought to life by Someone who cares about New York City and 6 other donors.

• Cozy Reading Rocking Chair #3

  Funded Jan 21, 2024

  Thank you so much for helping us make our library in Harlem bright, vibrant, gorgeous and welcoming -- and helping create the next generation of readers!

  We used the blue rocker for so many things this year! When students needed a calm-down corner and moment to read and regroup, the rocking chair was a welcome haven for them.

  When we did storytelling for 3 year-olds, we also found the rocker the perfect focal point for teachers doing songs and books.

  Guest authors also enjoyed speaking and signing books from the stylish perch of the rocking chair.

  Whenever people come in, they see that our library is colorful and alive! Thanks for keeping libraries healthy and vital.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Jess Hinds

  This classroom project was brought to life by Someone who cares about New York City and 2 other donors.

• Sparkly Story Time Magic on the Rug

  Funded Jan 9, 2024

  Thank you SO much for your generous donations!

  We want to welcome children into the magic of the library with a colorful rug and twinkling fairy lights! The rug we chose has a rainbow paint set and bilingual English-Spanish numbers to help our new migrant students from Mexico and South America feel welcomed into our space.

  Our library is now much more colorful, vibrant and beautiful -- thank you for helping us creating a space where magic can happen. My goal is for all children to fall in love with books here.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Jess Hinds

  This classroom project was brought to life by Someone who cares about New York City and 10 other donors.

• A Manga Library to Nourish the Love of Reading

  Funded Jan 11, 2024

  Thank you for funding our manga project! Manga to the rescue! When you open a book of manga, the vocabulary is quite advanced and the adventurous, action-packed pages hold students' interest. I love seeing my students fall in love with books!

  When my students pick up manga, their eyes light up. Manga is a big part of our community and students' identities. Our new library is growing and flourishing. I love seeing it come together.

  As students build confidence and discover the joy of reading through manga, they can move on to more and more varied texts and see themselves as readers.

  Thank you for your support and for caring about public schools!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Jess Hinds

  This classroom project was brought to life by Someone who cares about New York City and 2 other donors.

• Diverse and Captivating Early Readers

  Funded Jan 15, 2024

  Today our blue beanbag chair arrived and it's beautiful! A student curled up right away and read a longer book than she'd ever read before. She felt safe and comfortable in the library -- more at home! I try to show that I care for students through an artistic, creative and loving environment, as it is many students' home away from home.

  Thank you for believing in our mission for literacy and support for all students.

  I chose collection of early chapter books that kids won't be able to put down, from mysteries to slice of life to adventure and humor. The language might be simple enough for a 1st grader, but the stories are rich enough for all ages. Students are building their love of books right here in Harlem!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Jess Hinds

  This classroom project was brought to life by Someone who cares about New York City and 3 other donors.

• Sparkly Fairy Light Reading Corner Promoting Empathy

  Funded Dec 29, 2023

  My students love the collection of books about empathy--such beautiful picture books! We've used them in read-aloud, restoration circles and in a 2nd grade social-emotional health unit. Already the books have been in demand!

  The reading cushion has also been an important theraputic tool to soothe and steady students who are struggling with trauma and have trouble focusing on books in the library. In my past experience, I've found it beneficial to provide various kinds of seating to meet the needs of all students. The meditation corner with sequin walls that provides soothing tactile stimulation and the fairy lights warm up our winter and create a soft shimmering turquoise glow in our library.

  Thank you thank you!!!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Jess Hinds

  This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 6 other donors.