Past projects 8
Wiggle, Wiggle, Wiggle
Funded Aug 20, 2018Thank you so much for your help in getting wiggle seats for my classroom! I am very excited to introduce this seating option for all of my students this school year. I believe that it is incredibly important that all students, especially those in middle school, are given the opportunity to move during the day. These wiggle seats will be a fantastic option for students who need to move, but want to remain more inconspicuous during class.
I am looking forward to allowing students more freedom in their seat choices, and these wiggle seats will be another great option. My goal of providing flexible seating is becoming more of a reality. These wiggle seats will join the standing tables and exercise balls that I have accumulated recently. Thank you again for providing this opportunity for my students!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Graser
Laptops for Robotics
Funded Aug 22, 2018Thank you so much for all of your incredibly generous donations to help fund new laptops for our 8th grade robotics teams. The students are so excited to finally have a robotics class dedicated to 8th graders, and the addition of new laptops to the program was over the top! I already have students working to set up the computers for the use throughout the school year with little adult support. Allowing students access to this technology further spurs their independence within robotics.
The students that you have helped have little to no access to such technology and extracurricular activities outside of this class. Thank you again for helping me reach this goal to help some of our most deserving students.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Graser
This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 10 other donors.Help Our Super Robotics Teams Compete in First Lego League!
Funded May 28, 2018Thank you so much for helping us reach our goal of supporting two robotics teams for the upcoming season! My students are incredibly excited to be given this opportunity, and they are working hard to be prepared to compete in the fall. They are busy building robot bases, using gears to make creative attachments, and learning about the future of space travel.
The First Lego League program is an incredible opportunity for my students to take part in a robotics competition, while also getting a look at life outside of their community. I love giving my students a chance to see career possibilities outside of what their family may be able to provide. And this year, you have helped these students reach new heights. Thank you again for your help!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Graser
Classroom Robot!
Funded May 8, 2018Thank you so much for your generous donation that allowed us to purchase a classroom robot. Not only does this robot allow students to practice programming, we have found that it also instills compassion as the students are in charge of taking care of their robot. Students are clamoring to play with Cozmo, as well as take care of him on a daily basis.
Cozmo has become a draw for students in the classroom, with students interacting with the robot before school and after school in addition to class time. I cannot imagine a better classroom tool to inspire children to continue to learn to program and code.
I'm inspired by the students reaction to Cozmo, and students who have had behavior issues all year are enjoying this "play time." We are all so excited to continue to interact with this incredible robot and learn more about coding and interacting with the new addition to our classroom!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Graser
This classroom project was brought to life by General Motors and one other donor.Interconnectedness Makes the Classroom Go Round
Funded Oct 10, 2016Thank you so much for your very generous donation to my math class! Having the availability of an iPad in the classroom every day is incredibly useful. Students have the ability to research math and engineering topics, as well as practice math concepts on fun apps. My favorite use of the iPad and Apple TV is being able to show student work on Google Docs to the entire class. I can easily access and project exemplary student work to discuss with the class. As we continue to implement Common Core standards, the use of technology is becoming more and more important on a daily basis.
All of my students are incredibly excited to be able to use the iPad during class. They love being able to play on apps and conduct research on equipment that is quick and easy to use. Many of the students have become more involved in math class as a result of easy access to information. As a class, we love researching current events that relate to math and discussing the implications as a class. Being able to project student work on the Apple TV is also an engaging aspect. Students are more motivated to complete their work with the hopes that their assignment will be used as an exemplar.
It is difficult to pinpoint certain students as most impacted by the new technology because all of my students enjoy using the equipment. However, I have seen vast improvements in the engagement of lower ability students. Before, these students lacked access points to the curriculum, but the ability to integrate technology into daily lessons has helped to engage these students to a greater degree. As I become more familiar with the technology, I hope to motivate students with more innovative and interesting lessons.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Graser
Help Us Win the Constant "Storage War!"
Funded Jul 30, 2014My students all love the shelves that we received this year! This new furniture has really cleared up a lot of space for students in the classroom. They also love being able to store supplies here without carrying it back and forth from home. The ease of use is astounding!
Currently, these shelves are being used for a number of purposes. I am housing a classroom library, robotics supplies, and class sets of mathematics workbooks. Students now have access to free reading books and workbooks whenever they are needed.
The most important aspect of these shelves is the storage of important materials. No longer are students leaving their workbooks at home or losing homework in the depths of their backpack. These supplies are now housed in the classroom within easy reach.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Graser
If You Give a Child a Book...
Funded Aug 25, 2014My students were ecstatic to receive a diverse set of books to begin a classroom library! Not only are they allowed easy access to many age appropriate books, but many of these choices are new releases that they are excited to read. The excitement still has not worn off, as students continue to check out books at a quick pace.
As a classroom teacher, the biggest reward of having a classroom library has been the effect on classroom management. Now when students finish an assignment, they have a clear set of choices including reading a book. There are no more questions of: "What do I do now?" or "I have nothing to do." These students simply go to the back of the classroom to check out a book.
With the implementation of Reading Counts as our school site, easy access to books has helped these students succeed with this program. We already have a handful of Million Word readers this year, and hopefully libraries like mine will continue to raise this number.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Graser
This classroom project was brought to life by Gates Foundation Back To School and 3 other donors.Help Our Robotics Team!
Funded Dec 10, 2012Thank you so much for your generous donation to help us buy storage shelves for our robotics supplies. The shelves have provided my students with the ability to store all of the robotics parts, as well as supplementary project materials. Previously, these students were at a disadvantage because of the lack of storage space and room to work. Our storage area is now neat and tidy, which allows my students to stay organized and keep track of all of the robot parts and manipulators. The robotics students are able to work quickly and efficiently in their new space because they know exactly where all of the parts are stored.
The students and I greatly appreciate your donations and the support that you have shown. We are also very excited to be expanding our robotics program in the next school year, and the storage shelves will be incredibly important as we add even more supplies.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Graser