Past projects 9
Butterfly Life Cycle
Funded Oct 11, 2023My students are fascinated by all things in nature especially animals and insects.
Observing the butterfly larvae transform into butterflies will give them a new awareness and appreciation of the natural world around them. They will especially enjoy caring for the butterflies and then releasing them.
They were especially elated when I showed them the butterfly posters and life cycle models. The posters will also help them remember the life cycle stages and understand the amazing diversity of nature. The life cycle models are great visual representations that will help them describe the process.
We will continue to study life cycles and the connection butterflies have with other animals and plants through further research using books, internet, and our Science journals.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Ahrens
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community & an Anonymous Partner and 6 other donors.Butterfly Life Cycle
Funded Jun 10, 2019My students are fascinated by all things in nature especially animals and insects.
Observing the butterfly larvae transform into butterflies will give them a new awareness and appreciation of the natural world around them. They will especially enjoy caring for the butterflies and then releasing them.
They were especially elated when I showed them the butterfly posters. They were amazed at the number of butterflies and the variety of colors. The posters will also help them remember the life cycle stages and understand the amazing diversity of nature.
We will continue to study life cycles and the connection butterflies have with other animals and plants through further research using books, internet, and our Science journals.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Ahrens
This classroom project was brought to life by Google.org and 4 other donors.Headphones Help Phonemic Awareness
Funded Feb 21, 2019Thank you for your generous donations. My students were so excited to use the headphones! I haven't seen them so quiet and focused on their on-line books and videos. They especially enjoy listening to themselves read aloud. They are able to record themselves reading the high frequency word list and stories. Then, we listen together to discuss their progress and help improve their reading fluency.
Recently, during our Centers (small groups), one group used the headphones while the other groups were able to work independently without interruption. All the while another group was able to work with me on reading strategies and comprehension. In the past, it was very difficult to control the noise level. Now, they are more respectful of the other groups knowing their turn will come to use the headphones when we rotate groups.
The headphones have been unexpectedly helpful for those students doing research and are unable to read the information on their own. I didn't anticipate students using the headphones to access the information they need to complete their biographies.
Thank you again for your generosity.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Ahrens
The Great Outdoors!
Funded Feb 27, 2018After visiting the Nature Center, they couldn't stop talking about their wonderful trip. For several of our students, it was their first time in a nature center. They were overjoyed that during the live animal presentation, they had a chance to touch a snake. And, during the hike around the pond, they saw shed snake skin, animal footprints, and some tadpoles in the water.
Our Nature Center guide taught them about different plants and their uses. We visited a few on-site Native American themed areas. There were shelters made from local plants, and a grinding rock. At the end of the hike, students were told to close their eyes and walk while holding a rope. This forced students to just use their ears to enjoy nature. It was a great exercise that made them appreciate the peace and tranquility of the outdoors.
They especially enjoyed the hands-on science experiments including the fossil dig and microscopes. One of the hands-on experiments allowed students to explore different types of beaks. They used syringes of different sizes and a variety of tongs and tweezers to pick up objects. This showed students that bird beaks are specialized to catch or collect the food they eat. Their final activity was that each student made a necklace using plaster and a mold of an animal. They poured it in the mold, it quickly dried, then they painted it. They were proud to bring home their own handmade necklace.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Ahrens
This classroom project was brought to life by Golden State Fund and 8 other donors.Nature Center Field Trip
Funded Oct 6, 2016After visiting the Nature Center, they couldn't stop talking about their wonderful trip. For several of our students, it was their first time in a nature center. They were overjoyed that during the live animal presentation, they had a chance to touch a snake. And, during the hike around the pond, they saw shed snake skin, animal footprints, and some tadpoles in the water. Our Nature Center guide taught them about different plants and their uses. We visited a few on-site Native American themed areas. There were shelters made from local plants, and a grinding rock. Students were exhilarated to see even the most common animals - like lizards and birds. This showed their new awareness and appreciation of the natural world around them. The hike also helped them appreciate the peace and tranquility of the outdoors.
They were fascinated by the live animals on display. Our guide taught students fascinating facts about animals found in our area like skunks, snakes, birds, squirrels, and bobcats. The students and I learned that skunks can spray up to 15 feet. They especially enjoyed the hands-on science experiments including the fossil dig and microscopes. One of the hands-on experiments allowed students to explore different types of beaks. They used syringes of different sizes and a variety of tongs and tweezers to pick up objects. This showed students that bird beaks are specialized to catch or collect the food they eat. Their final activity was that each student made a necklace using plaster and a mold of an animal. They poured it in the mold, it quickly dried, then they painted it. They were proud to bring home their own handmade necklace.
When we returned from our field trip, I continued teaching a unit on nature. I read them a book called 'Tracks in the Wild' that identifies animal tracks and then gives information about the animal. We discussed all the tracks we saw on our trip and compared them to the animals found in the book. We were able to incorporate the information from the Nature Center about the ecosystem to discuss predators and prey.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Ahrens
Into the Great Outdoors!
Funded Feb 20, 2016After visiting the Nature Center, they couldn't stop talking about the wonderful trip they took. For several of our students, it was their first time in a nature center. They were overjoyed that during the live animal presentation where they had a chance to touch a snake. And, during the hike around the pond, they saw shed snake skin, animal footprints, and a jumping spider in the water. Our Nature Center guide taught them about different plants and their uses. We visited a few on-site Native American themed areas. There were shelters made from local plants, and a grinding rock. At the end of the hike, students were told to close their eyes and walk while holding a rope. This forced students to just use their ears to enjoy nature. It was a great exercise that made them appreciate the peace and tranquility of the outdoors.
They were fascinated by the live animals on display. Our guide taught students some fascinating facts about animals found in our area like skunks, snakes, birds, squirrels, and bobcats. The students and I learned that skunks can spray up to 15 feet! I noticed that while we were at the nature center, students were exhilarated to see even the most common animals - like lizards and birds. This showed their new awareness and appreciation of the natural world around them. They especially enjoyed the hands-on science experiments including the fossil dig and microscopes. One of the hands-on experiments allowed students to explore different types of beaks. They used syringes of different sizes and a variety of tongs and tweezers to pick up objects. This showed students that bird beaks are specialized to catch or collect the food they eat. Their final activity was that each student made a necklace using plaster and a mold of an animal. They poured it in the mold, it quickly dried, then they painted it. They were proud to bring home their own handmade necklace.
Clearly, we had an amazing time! Thank you, again for expanding my students' world.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Ahrens
Nature Center Class Trip
Funded Feb 13, 2015After visiting the Nature Center, they could not stop talking about the wonderful trip they took. For several of our students, it was their first time in a nature center. They were overjoyed that during the live animal presentation where they had a chance to touch a snake. And, during the hike around the pond, they saw shed snake skin, animal footprints, and some tadpoles in the water. Our Nature Center guide also taught them about different plants and their uses.
They were fascinated by the live animals on display. Our guide taught students some fascinating facts about animals found in our area like skunks, snakes, birds, squirrels, and bobcats. I noticed that while we were at the nature center, students were exhilarated to see even the most common animals - like lizards and birds. This showed their new awareness and appreciation of the natural world around them.
They especially enjoyed the hands-on science experiments including the fossil dig and microscopes. One of the hands-on experiments allowed students to explore different types of beaks. They used syringes of different sizes and a variety of tongs and tweezers to pick up objects. This showed students that bird beaks are specialized to catch or collect the food they eat. Their final activity was that each student made a necklace using plaster and a mold of an animal. They poured it in the mold, it quickly dried, then they painted it. They were proud to bring home their own handmade necklace.
When we returned to the classroom, I began a unit on Life Cycles. I was able to use the information we learned at the Nature Center to continue their exploration of the natural world. Thank you again for your generous donations. We all enjoyed our wonderful field trip.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Ahrens
Nature Center Class Trip
Funded Jan 19, 2014After visiting the Nature Center, they couldn't stop talking about the wonderful trip they took. For several of our students, it was their first time in a nature center. They were overjoyed that during the live animal presentation, they had a chance to touch a snake. And, during the hike around the pond, they saw shed snake skin, animal footprints, and some tadpoles in the water. Our Nature Center guide taught them about different plants and their uses. We visited a few on-site Native American themed areas. There were shelters made from local plants, and a grinding rock. At the end of the hike, students were told to close their eyes and walk while holding a rope. This forced students to just use their ears to enjoy nature. It was a great exercise that made them appreciate the peace and tranquility of the outdoors.
When the hike was over, we were able to explore the Nature Center. They were fascinated by the live animals on display. Our guide taught students some fascinating facts about animals found in our area like skunks, snakes, birds, squirrels, and bobcats. The students and I learned that skunks can spray up to 15 feet. I noticed that while we were at the nature center, students were exhilarated to see even the most common animals - like lizards and birds. This showed their new awareness and appreciation of the natural world around them. They especially enjoyed the hands-on science experiments including the fossil dig and microscopes. One of the hands-on experiments allowed students to explore different types of beaks. They used syringes of different sizes and a variety of tongs and tweezers to pick up objects. This showed students that bird beaks are specialized to catch or collect the food they eat. Their final activity was that each student made a necklace using plaster and a mold of an animal. They poured it in the mold, it quickly dried, then they painted it. They were proud to bring home their own handmade necklace.
When we returned from our field trip, I began teaching a unit on nature. I read them a book called 'Tracks in the Wild' that identifies animal tracks and then gives information about the animal. We discussed all the tracks we saw on our trip and compared them to the animals found in the book. Additionally, the Nature Center had stick insects with a hatching of babies. We then studied the stick insects that we have in our classroom and noticed our stick insects' eggs had hatched too! We then completed a life cycle graphic organizer and summary writing. We were able to incorporate the information from the Nature Center about the ecosystem to discuss predators and prey. We watched videos of a cheetah and discussed what makes it such an effective predator of the gazelle. We then researched the predators and prey from the surrounding area including coyotes, owls, bobcats, skunks, squirrels, rabbits, lizards, and birds. Then we made a large poster with all the different animals in the area, what it eats, and what eats it. They were really amazed to see the connection of all the animals and plant life in nature. It was a fantastic experience for my students!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Ahrens
This classroom project was brought to life by Rich Stallcup Memorial Fund and 12 other donors.Sensory Center for Autistic Student
Funded Apr 21, 2011Thank you for your generous donation to the sensory activities for our special needs students. The fidgets and vibrating pencils have helped to refocus students who were otherwise overwhelmed with their assignments. The items (including the tactile ball and special seat cushions) provide relief from their over-active senses. Students have improved attention and awareness, and have an outlet to reduce overall anxiety and arousal.
There are several students at our school who benefit from the variety of special classroom aids. One of our students in particular enjoys painting now with the painting glove. Prior to the glove, she was very sensitive to getting her hands dirty and finger painting. Now, with the painting glove she is more calm during art.
As you may already know, funding for specific aids is difficult and sometimes impossible to get through the normal school district bureaucracy. Your commitment to help our students made it possible to give assistance to those who truly need it the most. Thank you.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Ahrens