Past projects 6
A Little Spot of Big Feelings!
Funded May 10, 2024Since receiving the materials for this project my students interest in social emotional learning has skyrocketed! They absolutely love being introduced to a new spot of emotion every afternoon. The breathing techniques at end of each book are helping my students learn to regulate their emotions independently.
We also love the stories that teach responsibility, respect, diversity, and patience! These materials have been so helpful in teaching these concepts in a way that my kiddos can easily demonstrate their understanding.
Once again, thank you so much for your generosity and kindness!!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Despres
This classroom project was brought to life by An Anonymous Supporter and 9 other donors.A Cozy and Comfortable Place to Learn and Love!
Funded Aug 9, 2022My students were absolutely THRILLED when we received our new classroom rug. They could not wait to roll it out and sit on it! My students even went home and told their families about it. Everyone can fit comfortably on the rug, and no one has to sit in a chair or feel squished. So far, we have done countless partner games on the rug, turn and talks, and yoga breaks. We can all sit together as a classroom community to do restorative circles, and I can't describe how amazing it is! Thank you again for your generous donations and kind hearts!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Despres
This classroom project was brought to life by Bill Gates and 10 other donors.Ready, Set, Literacy!
Funded Nov 7, 2019Once again, words cannot express how grateful I am to have this project funded because of your kindness and generosity. My kindergarten students love all of the literacy center materials we've received. They had the biggest smiles on their faces when we opened up the package! I've noticed that they are more excited for literacy centers, and it's showing in their progress. My students are starting to master certain skills that they were struggling with at the beginning of the year.
These activities benefit all of the special learners in my classroom. My special learners include students who need more support, students who need to be challenged, English Language Learners, and those on IEPs. Everything is so easily differentiated, hands-on, and visual.
One of their favorite activities is the Sight-Word Steps. It's such a way to help them learn their sight words, and an alternative to using flash cards! They have all made great progress in sight-word recognition. Not only do we use it as a game, but my students will pick a Sight-Word Step, and look for their chosen word in a book! My students also love the Sight-Word Sentence Center. It's another great way to help my students learn their sight words, and it's differentiated! My students who need to be challenged are able to practice reading fluency, and my students who need more support are practicing sight-word fluency. We have just started using the CVC Words Activity Dice to make and read real words/nonsense words. I don't think I've seen my students so engaged in an activity! Literacy centers have now become their most favorite part of the day.
Thank you so much for helping to give my students a new love for literacy and reading!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Despres
Back to Kindergarten Basics!
Funded Sep 7, 2018Words cannot express how grateful we are for your generous donations that helped to get Back to Kindergarten Basics! funded. The beginning of a new school year is always tough on families financially, especially at a school where many of them live below the poverty line. Having to purchases materials year after year for multiple children can take a toll. We are so lucky that there are people in this world that want to help!
My students were thrilled to see they each had their own literacy, science, and writing folders. These folders have really helped them to keep track of their work and learn organization skills. The table caddies have helped my students to foster independence skills, in knowing where all their materials are. All of the brand new markers, crayons, and colored pencils have allowed my students to express their creativity during our drawing and writing time. The glue sticks, markers, and crayons really came in handy while my students had their very first in school project! They used those materials to create shoe box dioramas of their favorite type of weather to wrap up our weather unit.
The chart paper has also gone to good use! During our weather unit, and currently in our transportation unit, we've created lots of KWL charts. On our KWL charts, we've discussed what they know about a topic, what they want to learn, and at the end, we add new information we've learned. We constantly refer to these charts throughout our units! The chart paper is also used for anchor chart we create as a class for new concepts we're learning.
Once again, thank you for helping start off the school year on such a positive note! Each time we use these items, we will always think of you and your generosity.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Despres
This classroom project was brought to life by Neukom Family Foundation and 9 other donors.Marvelous Kindergarten Math!
Funded May 9, 2018I am once again so humbled and grateful to have my second project funded. This project, Marvelous Kindergarten Math!, was created so that my students could have math manipulatives to use during math centers and to help them become more excited about the subject. Using hands-on math materials help students who are struggling to understand certain concepts. As we know, not all children learn the same, but they all have the right to learn. I wanted to give all my students an opportunity to learn math concepts at their pace, and in their own way.
Once I started to implement the materials we received, I could see improvements with my student's math skills immediately, especially with my English Language Learners! The Number Line Slider Boards are essential during math whole group lesson, math centers, and my guided math groups. They are so easy for my kiddos to use and they're fun! We've used them for all kinds of concepts, such as addition, subtraction, counting, counting on, and number formation. I can use them no matter what level my students are. We also enjoy using the Foam Number Dice for various activities. For my students that need support with numeral recognition, they use the dice with dots. My students that can be challenged, use the dice with the numerals, and can use two at the time for adding and subtracting! We no longer have to worry about not having enough dice for each child to use more than one.
The Magna-Tiles, Geo-Sticks, 3D Geometric Shapes, and Geoboards, have helped my instruction and student understanding when we focus on 2D and 3D shapes. My students always have so much fun using the Magna-Tiles, Geo-Sticks, and Geoboards to create various shapes and objects while working on their critical thinking skills!
One of the activities that my students really loved doing, was using the Unifix cubes as a form of non-standard measurement. They used the Unifix cubes to measure their feet and several other objects throughout the classroom. Another activity my students love, are games that involve the Count to 120! Magnetic Number Chart. We use this to look at number patterns, counting by 1s, 5s, 10s, and playing Guess My Number. I've also used the Number Chart as a center for students to use independently.
Once again, my students and I thank you all so much from the bottom of our hearts for your generosity.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Despres
This classroom project was brought to life by General Motors and 5 other donors.Breathe, Stretch, Shake, Let It Go
Funded Mar 14, 2018Once again, I would like to thank each of you for donating to Breath, Stretch, Shake, Let it Go. I cannot describe how grateful I am for your kindness and generosity. My students absolutely love each of the social/emotional books, and always request that we read one or two every day! They look forward to our social/emotional learning time because of our new resources.
I've seen such a change in some of my students who have previously struggled with their social/emotional skills. Through games like Angry Dragon and I Heard Your Feelings, I've noticed that those students are able to express their feelings and emotions in appropriate ways. My students love the story Moody Cow Meditates by Kerry Lee MacLean, we even made our own Moody Cow Mind Jar to keep at our break table! The Mindful Kids cards have been such a great way to start our day or when we take a mindfulness break. Our favorite card is one called Sharp Eyes, where we practice our observation skills.
I've also noticed an increase in my students showing kindness in and out of the classroom. After reading the stories Pass it On by Sophy Henn, and Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller, they have shown awareness of how and why to pass on kindness. They came up with idea to keep passing on kindness so that it spreads through all of Malden and maybe even the whole world! One of my students that sees an ELL tutor everyday, noticed one child in the group was not being to kind to someone. My student spoke up and told that child he needed to be kind to everyone. When the ELL tutor told me that, I have almost had tears in my eyes! I do not think that would have been possible without all of the amazing materials we've received.
I know that all my students will be able to make a difference in the world because of you.
"Maybe I can only do small things. But my small things might join big things other people do. And, together, they could grow into something big."
-Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Despres