Past projects 9
Building Vocabulary for English Learners
Funded Aug 2, 2024Thank you so much for supporting my project "Building Vocabulary for English Learners." The card readers came with a large variety of picture cards so that the students can learn new words.
I am fortunate enough to work directly with some of our lowest level English Learners. This time one on one allows us to really problem solve what vocabulary they still need to work on and build vocabulary. The cards and reader have allowed one student who recently came from Venezuela to really expand her vocabulary. She enjoys learning new things and will in turn teach her mom.
Thank you again for your continued support with my English Language Development classroom!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Sprout
Book Vending Machine Author Fill Up
Funded Oct 11, 2023Thank you for supporting Rutherford Elementary through Donors Choose. We are excited to use the books that you helped purchase in our book vending machine when the author comes to visit in the spring. The students will be able to turn their raves (money) that they have earned for good behavior into book tokens to purchase the books from our school book vending machine.
In the meantime, I have been able to use the books for read alouds. The English Learners that I work with were especially excited to read the Llama book series. The story vocabulary words helped to create a fun discussion about words and their meaning.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Sprout
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community & an Anonymous Partner and 3 other donors.Diverse Flags for a Diverse School
Funded Jun 14, 2023I am thankful that you were able to help purchase flags for our cafeteria. The flags will help showcase diversity in our school. The flags arrived at our school over summer break. I met with my principal and discussed the best placement for the flags. Unfortunately, we have been waiting on our buildings and ground crew to hang the flags in our cafeteria since the ceiling is 20-30 feet. As you can see, they are currently in our conference room.
I can't wait for the students to see the flags hung. I really think that they will be surprised to see them hanging. I think that it will also bring pride to the students. Thanks again for your support of our school.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Sprout
Welcoming Kindergarteners
Funded May 3, 2022Everyone enjoys getting new books, however, the kindergarteners were especially excited to each get a their own new book. After reading the book to the group of kindergarteners, we discussed how important it is to welcome each person at school and how we can make them feel like they belong. Though the group is made up of mainly Nepali and Spanish speaking students, we discussed that even though we are different we all below at our school.
After reading, they got a chance to explore their new books. The last page of All Are Welcome pulls out to show all of the students together. They were fascinated with that page and enjoyed the illustrations of the diverse group of students.
Thank you for supporting the English Learners at Rutherford Elementary School!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Sprout
This classroom project was brought to life by SONIC Drive-In and 5 other donors.A Diverse Book to Match Our Diverse School
Funded Aug 11, 2020Thank you for supporting our school! We received the class set of The Day You Begin
over the summer. The books have been used by classroom teachers throughout the school as read alouds during the past three months.
In small groups, we explored the book and discussed some of the issues that were brought up. The students really connected with the concept of being different as our English Learners are unique from their peers often with difficult names and different traditions. The colorful illustrations and the diverse characters interested the students and really drew them into the book.
Your generosity always amazes me. Thank you for supporting my classroom of learners!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Sprout
This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 6 other donors.Feeling Safe Through Books
Funded May 6, 2020Thank you for supporting our classroom! We received our two books, The Name Jar and Save Me A Seat, while our school was still shut down due to COVID. Over the summer before school started, the ELD team and I organized the books and mailed them to our students. We then asked the students to bring them in to read with us during the school day.
In small groups, we explored the books and discussed some of the issues that were brought up. The students really connected with the concept of being different as our English Learners are unique from their peers often with difficult names and different traditions.
Your generosity always amazes me. Thank you for supporting my classroom of learners!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Sprout
This classroom project was brought to life by SONIC Drive-In and 5 other donors.Document Cameras for English Learners' Success!
Funded Feb 13, 2020Thank you so much for funding my Donors Choose document camera project. With the purchase of our new English Language Development curriculum materials, these document cameras will help students fully engage with the student books and help display their work. I am excited to use the cameras in our classroom to help students visually see their peers’ work.
Thank you for supporting our English Language classroom!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Sprout
Creating a Culture of Acceptance
Funded Jun 27, 2019Thank you so much for donating to our project! As you know, Rutherford Elementary contains a diverse group of students. These students are working towards making each other feel welcomed in their new classrooms this school year.
Though the use of the book, Same, Same but Different, the students made connections with their lives and saw that it is important to accept all students in their classrooms. Even though they may not do the same things or look the same way, each person is unique and special. Using the memory game allowed students to compare and contrast characteristics of the students. Lastly, the students created posters sharing information about themselves to help their classmates get to know them better.
Thank you for supporting the students of Rutherford Elementary. We are extremely grateful for your support.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Sprout
This classroom project was brought to life by Craig Newmark Philanthropies and 10 other donors.Exploring An iPad With ELLs
Funded Oct 8, 2013If only you could have seen the faces of my students as I pulled out the iPad the Monday after it arrived. Immediately, they begged me to begin using it. After explaining that we would have to complete our lesson before exploring the iPad, the students were the most attentive they have ever been. That day, word spread fast through their homeroom that they had the opportunity to use an iPad during reading class. The students bragged about how much fun they had using the technology.
The English Language Learners enjoy using the apps to aid in their learning. One app that they like to use reinforces sight words. They use it in pairs and take turns playing the game. I also use the iPad with the kindergartners to introduce the letter that we are learning that lesson. There are different apps that the students can explore that practice letters and sounds. In addition, it has helped my students practice many math skills.
The students enjoy using the iPad so much that I sometimes think that they forget that they are learning while using the technology. The students have learned letters and sounds. This is evident in their Aimsweb scores.
Thank you so much for supporting the education of my English Language Learners!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Sprout