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Ms. Scherff's Classroom

  • Paul L Dunbar Elementary School
  • Philadelphia, PA
  • Nearly all students from low‑income households Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more

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show projects from all time

Past projects 15

  • Cooking with Kindness

    Funded Nov 15, 2024

    We built the kitchen outside of the classroom and paraded it into the space. The look on their faces was priceless! Cheers of joy, clapping, smiles, giggles, and zoomies! They dove right in to explore all of the pieces. It quickly became a bake-off! All of a sudden they were all working together to get the kitchen ready, bake some cupcakes, and serve them to all of the adults in the room.

    The play kitchen provides that chance for our friends to engage in pretend play which helps develop social imagination and empathy. It also fosters communication as they role-play. Our students jumped right into the role of taking orders from each other - even our friends who are non-verbal became involved as others would present choices for that student. Heart-warming.

    With your generosity you have not simply put a toy in a classroom - you have opened up new experiences and chances to grow.”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Scherff

  • SMART Sharing

    Funded Apr 4, 2024

    Our smart board has inspired creativity in our class! The students were able to create flow-charts, showcase their projects, and complete assignments in a collaborative setting. One student in particular loves the 'adaptive drawing' since he has fine motor skill deficiencies. He loves that his drawings are now able to be understood by others without attempting to explain what each one depicts.

    The board has also been a wonderful addition to our IEP meetings. We are able to project the documents on screen so all participants are on the same page. We are able to show student progress so that the parents have a better handle on how their child is doing in class.

    In an office that does not have the capacity to set up a SmartBoard, this fits the need perfectly!”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Scherff

  • Exploring Cultures Through Fairy Tales

    Funded Jan 24, 2022

    Our students devoured the books, loving every nuance of each story. They loved finding the threads that continued through each culture. The ability to see the same story through the eyes of another culture promoted great discussions. Their curiosity was peaked as they asked, "I wonder why...".

    Even the most reluctant readers jumped on board with the activities designed around these stories. We were able to compare the stories and then something even better happened....the class wanted to write their own versions!! Imagine Alice falling down a manhole because she was too busy on her phone, or Cinderella being whisked from the Rave in her orange Uber!

    Thank you for investing in our student's learning!!”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Scherff

  • Namaste Space for Emotional Growth

    Funded Jan 23, 2023

    The ability to transform an empty classroom into a room dedicated to mindfullness and mental well being has done wonders for our school. We have created a 'Namaste Room' in which students can practice yoga and meditation.

    The best reaction has been when the older students have led some yoga instruction to the younger grades - how impactful for those young ones! They ask to come back often to the point that we have created a weekly schedule to accommodate all of the students!

    Older students have come to realize the importance of taking time for themselves. They are so overwhelmed with school work and the factors at home and their communities, that they need to realize they need to take care of themselves first. Some were very hesitant to even attempt the yoga but with time they have come to enjoy it. Some have even become leaders. They have even gone as far as to decorate the room with calming colors!”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Scherff

  • Rocking the Stage

    Funded Feb 8, 2020

    We cannot express how thankful we are for your generosity. You have given our actors the tools they need to perform to their highest potential. Our ensemble will shine in their costumes bringing smiles to every member in the audience.

    We are certain that they will bring smiles Years to come as well.”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Scherff

  • Shining on Stage

    Funded Jan 23, 2020

    Your generosity has blown us away! What a wonderful community we have that supports the Arts for an elementary school. Our program allows any child the chance to spred their wings in the theater and boost their self confidence.

    You have given our actors, from the tiniest pig to the Big Bad Wolf, a chance to shine even brighter on stage!

    Bravo!!”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Scherff

    This classroom project was brought to life by Anonymous Arts Supporter and 10 other donors.
  • Zen in a 5th Grade Classroom

    Funded Jan 29, 2019

    Thank you for your generous donations to make our room more organized and cozy. The reaction after I put the blue light covers in place was priceless. One student said that he felt like he was floating in an aquarium. The harsh light that once gave us headaches is now gone and in its place is a soothing hue.

    The bins have become home to loved books and deep writing. Gone are the days of sharing a space with another student, not having enough room for books, and lost items. Each of our 40+ students now has their own space. This means the world to them - it is a place that is all their own.

    Your donation has given my classroom so much more that just items. For this I thank you.”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Scherff

  • BES Needs to be Heard from the Balcony!

    Funded Aug 3, 2018

    Our Drama Club at Barkley Elementary has grown substantially in the past few years. Our old microphones have suffered more than the typical wear and tear. At our last year's performance some audience members were not able to hear the angelic voices of their children.

    Our new microphones have already brought smiles to our actors faces. We tested them out and could not believe our ears! The sound was crisp and we could catch every sweet note. What an amazing opportunity for children of the elementary age to be heard on stage. It builds their confidence in performing, public speaking and social situations.

    Your contribution has brought the thrill of a Broadway show to an elementary stage!”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Scherff

  • The WONDER of 5th grade

    Funded Jul 28, 2017

    "Wonder" is doing wonders in our classroom! We have finished the first section and the discussion have been impressive for 10 and 11 year old children. They have been discussing what fairness looks and feels like as well as perception being 100% reality for an individual.

    The students anxiously watch the clock for our reading time and come to our circle, book in hand, with so much they wish to discuss. They have created their own self-portraits 'Wonder-style', and are creating essays discussing what makes them extra-ordinary. This novel is encouraging them to open up to others and to look to others with empathy.”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Scherff

  • Mind-full of Math

    Funded Sep 12, 2017

    All ready our class is excited about Mathological Liar!! I introduced it the day we received it and they want more! It is wonderful to see them talk about the math behind each case. I have created Detective Notebooks for each group to write about their case. They have created their own stories behind solving each crime - and with zero complaints about writing about math!

    The white boards have been used within small groups and the whole class. Its been wonderful not to waste paper! Trying to go green! Students are able to share their thinking across the room instead of just with the person sitting next to them. Its great for them to see how others think - it may spark something in their own math thinking.

    I anxious to see what the rest of the year brings with their new enthusiasm for math!”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Scherff

Our Title One school is located in Phoenixville, PA. Some of our students' families have difficulty affording books for their students, let alone donations for new school supplies. My students not only seek out academic support, but emotional support as well. We are not only their teachers, but we also play the role of parent, mentor, counselor, and nurse, as our students sometimes have no one else to turn to. Although their lives outside of our four walls asks of them to carry too much weight on their shoulders, within our walls they are still kids. They do not have the resources that many other schools have and it is difficult to keep simple supplies available (pencils, paper, markers, etc). Fund raising efforts go towards field trips to allow our students to experience places outside of the classroom. Not much is left for classroom materials.

About my class

Our Title One school is located in Phoenixville, PA. Some of our students' families have difficulty affording books for their students, let alone donations for new school supplies. My students not only seek out academic support, but emotional support as well. We are not only their teachers, but we also play the role of parent, mentor, counselor, and nurse, as our students sometimes have no one else to turn to. Although their lives outside of our four walls asks of them to carry too much weight on their shoulders, within our walls they are still kids. They do not have the resources that many other schools have and it is difficult to keep simple supplies available (pencils, paper, markers, etc). Fund raising efforts go towards field trips to allow our students to experience places outside of the classroom. Not much is left for classroom materials.

About my class

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