Past projects 4
Wiggle While We Work
Funded Mar 14, 2022My students absolutely love their new chairs. They were thrilled helping me remove them from the box. So happy it didn't require set-up and was ready to go right away. They can't wait until I order more and in new colors. As a teacher in an upper grade, flexible seating has it's ups and downs, but these chairs have been amazing for my students with kinesthetic needs.
We use these chairs in a variety of ways but the most frequent use is for a reward. Students are trying to be on their best behavior and working hard to get work finished so they can earn stars. The more stars they earn, the closer they are to getting the chair for the day or for the allotted time period.
This gift to my classroom has transformed how we work, what incentives we set, and how we utilize our body intelligence. I use them during meetings, my children use them after school whilst doing their homework, and we've even used then during a science lesson to show force/motion/and friction! Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Burrell
This classroom project was brought to life by Arizona Department of Education.Stand and Deliver
Funded Nov 6, 2019My students and I were so surprised and excited when we received our materials. I have an extremely energetic and fun class that loves to move around and collaborate with one another. They were happy to be able to experience the upside of Kinesthetic learning without fear of re-direction or admonishing. Being allowed to consistently collaborate has brought learning to a new stage and pace and really elevated their learning participation.
We first started using the desks during our Jackie Robinson/Civil Rights unit. Students created groups and researched notable black Americans throughout history and did a technology enhanced Keynote to show their learning. They also made music with a spiritual as a guide and developed their current version or more updated version of it. Having the desks allowed them to be standing with support for their devices and notebooks.
Next we hope to have debates on high caliber events during the Civil Rights Era and will definitely be using these desks to help film our PSA for natural disasters. The goal is to emulate a news broadcast and these will work out perfectly!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Burrell
This classroom project was brought to life by Chevron Fuel Your School.Writing a Way for the Future
Funded Oct 24, 2018My students were ECSTATIC when they found out they would finally be getting the write on desk and volume cubes. Since there are so many of us (41) we have limited space and having centers and small groups has been an issue. Now, not only do they have a PBL and Volume center, but they can work together in small groups to do math and work on projects together. We used the tables for math when we were spiraling for our CBAS #2 mid-year test. The three tables allowed me to have simultaneous groups going on, while students were completing different tasks at their desks.
I cannot tell you how good it feels to see and feel like we're not all on top of each other any longer. It's great to see students leading their own group without fighting over who can see the paper and who is supposed to go next. The most reserved students have even led groups because they all want to get a chance to be the 'sage' during Kagan's Sage and Scribe. I knew having these items would alleviate a space issue but I had no idea it would help to repair a confidence issue.
We are so gracious for the gift you've given to us and we cannot thank you enough!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Burrell
This classroom project was brought to life by Chevron Fuel Your School.Write or Wrong, We'll Write Away!
Funded Oct 17, 2016My students are learning various forms of writing, and were unsure how to format or even where to begin. When using the 'Make Your Point' opinion writing center, students were finally able to see just how to structure their writing and how they were already experts at having opinions, they just needed help getting it out. The phonics station has been a Godsend to my ELLs who are now able to recognize not only letters, but letter sounds, and sound correspondence blends. They've been able to piece together words and small sentences, helping them in group work and independent practice.
When my students found out that our wish list was fulfilled, they were so excited to get going. It did take a lot to get the centers up and going, but that's only because each box/center contained so many different meaningful reading and writing activities. My students, from here, will now be writing an essay of their choice (explanatory, opinion, and personal narrative) to introduce themselves to their teacher (for 3rd grade). I'm excited to see how they choose to express themselves and am eternally grateful for the opportunity you've given to us!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Burrell