Past projects 15
Read to Succeed
Funded Dec 22, 2022Can you imagine what it's like to see 27 faces light up like it's Christmas morning? Well, that's what it felt like when I was able to present our class of first graders with about 100 new books! Students beamed with the thought of reading colorful new and engaging books.
In our classroom we have reading time. Sometimes I meet with small groups and work on reading skills. Meanwhile, students who are not meeting with me for a lesson have time to work on their reading skills independently. They have the option of reading books independently. A perk of having this grant is that my students now have tons of highly engaging books to self select.
We look forward to exploring the non fiction texts as we work on animal research reports. Our future as readers is wide open with all of the great books we now can access. Thank you for supporting our class with this amazing gift.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Martinez
This classroom project was brought to life by Panda Cares.Rocking Read Alouds
Funded May 28, 2020Thank you for your generous donation of books. I am beyond thrilled to be able to use them in my daily lessons. The fun thing about teaching is that it is open ended and I am able to bring in quality literature to teach a variety of standards. The books you purchased are new, high-interest, and specifically chosen.
Each week I have been teaching virtually, and having this library of books has made this trying time so much easier. I plan my week around a pair of books on one topic such as: spiders, dental health, planets, inclusion, social justice, self-love, and more. The books feature a nonfiction story paired with a fiction story. Students are exposed to various types of literature and can learn about content whilst learning about text features and story lines.
My students have responded very well to these books. I can zoom in on the illustrations with my document camera and still share the love of reading. Thank you so much! This gift will keep on giving!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Martinez
This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 2 other donors.Special Seats for Special Needs
Funded Dec 30, 2016Thank you for the donation of the special seats. I am so excited to share that my students are loving their cozy seats. Students with special needs are included at the carpet and they have bright bug cushions to sit upon. My students with autism, down syndrome, and typical development all love the rest cots. They are able to go to the quiet corner I set up and rest on the cots when they need a break. It has helped students self-regulate their needs.
Some students are brought to before-school daycare. They can be very tired. I have invited these early-risers to use the cots to rest for an extra hour of sleep before school starts. This precious rest time is crucial for them to have before they start their day of kindergarten.
I am thankful for the wonderful seating options you have provided for my class.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Martinez
This classroom project was brought to life by School Specialty and 2 other donors.Tons of Toys for Girls and Boys!
Funded Oct 17, 2016I wish you could hear the squeals of delight coming from our classroom when the boxes of toys started arriving this winter! My students started asking me if it was Christmas! :) They were simply shocked when I told them that grown ups loved them so much they wanted to make sure that we had lots of toys to play with in our classroom.
Every day when students come to school they work their minds with all of the rigorous common core demands. At the end of the day I allow good old-fashioned play time. In my kindergarten class I think it is essential to have children play. Students who struggle academically open up with creative dialog in the kitchen center, students interact with each other building structures with the Duplos, and they create fantasy story lines with the toys. Students simply LOVE playing with toys. After years of wear and tear broke down my old toys, I was able to toss our old one-legged barbies and 2 legged horses. The new toys area already into to the hands of children.
Now, when it is winter and the cold wind blows outside - my students happily play inside of our classroom for recess. There are so many options of toys to play with that the creativity is endless. My principal and several parents thanked me for providing such wonderful toys for the children. I tell them each time that they were generously donated after I wrote a request on DonorsChoose. I am very thankful for this donation because it impacts so many students on a daily basis. Thank you for your generous donation!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Martinez
Wiggle Wobble Kinder Seats
Funded Aug 22, 2016My students were thrilled to have their project funded. They knew that they needed different chairs which allow them to move and wiggle while they worked. When they found out that this project was funded they were filled with excitement.
Now, coming to reading group is a fun time. Students are excited to use the wobble stools and everyone sitting at the table is focused. I am excited because students are no longer tipping back in their chairs (being unsafe). Now, they can exert their energy by sitting on the wobble stools. Many parents have seen the stools and were inspired to try them at home. There was a learning curve that came with the stools. Students had to learn that spinning 360* was not allowed. However, after a couple of weeks of training students to properly use the stools, we are all wonderfully satisfied.
My class is full of students of all abilities. I have two students with Down Syndrome who especially love these chairs. Both of these young ladies are developing their core-strength. The wobble stools help them balance and add strength to their cores. Not only do these girls benefit from the wobble stools, but they are exciting enough help these students access their reading group by sitting at the table. I am encouraged that our class is able to move while gaining access to instruction.
Thank you so much for this lovely donation!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Martinez
This classroom project was brought to life by Target and 5 other donors.Little Tots Learning Lots with Hot Dots!
Funded Mar 19, 2016Dear Donors,
Thank you so much for your amazing donation of Hot Dots! My classroom is buzzing with learning thanks to your amazing donation. I have tons of engaging activities for my students to do once they are finished with their daily assignments.
I love that there is a constant hum of noise from the self-correcting pens. My students get instant feedback when the get correct or incorrect answers. Students are eager to "play" with the pens and flash cards which is a huge motivator for students to cruise through their work.
I am thrilled that I have Hot Dots as resources in my classroom. They help me differentiate the learning needs of my students and are fun! Thank you for the great donation!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Martinez
This classroom project was brought to life by #BestSchoolDay and 3 other donors.Marvelous Magnetic Mazes & More!
Funded Oct 13, 2015I want to thank you for the magnetic maze puzzles. My students are using them during free choice play time on a daily basis. They love playing with the mazes, building words and sorting shapes. I love that the cleanup for them is super easy and no parts ever go missing.
I have had a few new students join our class this year and they have been very nervous to come inside the class. I have been successful at breaking the ice with them by offering them the chance to play with a fun puzzle. I love that the puzzles are kindergarten friendly and developmentally appropriate.
In this day and age when kindergarten is highly academic, these puzzles offer a break from the pressures of school. They allow my students to just be kids and have fun.
I love that the magnetic mazes are durable and will last for many years. Along with the durability, they are great for putting out at parent teacher conferences for families with younger children. They are easy to use and are very interactive. This year, I was able to avoid of taking out tons of toys and making a big mess during conferences. Instead I was able to pull out these puzzles and engage siblings from school-aged children to toddlers. Parents loved that I had materials ready for the siblings during conferences.
I greatly appreciate the materials that were provided to my classroom with this donor's choose grant. My heart is full and my students and I are very blessed.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Martinez
Planning to Play!
Funded May 19, 2015Dear donors,
I would like to thank you for your generosity with this project. My students LOVE these colorful magnetic tiles. Every day they play and build wonderful creations. My students have created skyscrapers that are at least 3 feet tall! I'm always wondering what shape the tiles will become. Students run to me to show off their geometric creations such as cubes and pyramids. Each day I look forward to watching how the magnetic tiles will be transformed into a new creation.
I love that my students get to settle into their day by using toys that inspire creativity and imagination. These toys are very durable and will last for many years. Thank you again!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Martinez
Pockets Full of Learning
Funded Mar 13, 2014My students and I were absolutely thrilled when we found out that our project had been funded. I told my class that there was a wonderful group of people who worked together to buy us a big present. They literally cheered with happiness! My students were so excited to find out that we were getting a new easel.
I put up our new easel and took down out one that was taped together. The students marveled at its shiny red beauty and everyone wanted to write on it with the dry erase pens. It instantly made our learning times more fun! I was so happy that I didn't have to worry about the easel falling down on anyone!
Now that the easel is in the classroom we use it on a daily basis. We solve math problems on it, write words on it, practice our English language skills on it, and so much more! On the back of the easel I hung a pocket chart. My students are able to do graphing and sorting activities in the pockets. We do shared writing and put our sentences in the pockets.
My students are safer thanks to this high quality easel. It is structurally sound and is a beautiful addition to the classroom. All of my students can see the board because it is so wide. The wheels on it allow me to easily turn it around so that we can work with magnetic letters on the front or practice handwriting using the back. There are so many educational uses to this board.
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Additionally, the storage boxes are helpful for storing our writing journals, pens, markers, and privacy folders. Students know exactly where to find their materials. I am very thankful for your donations to help our classroom become a well-organized place to learn!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Martinez
Magical Moments in Kindergarten
Funded Oct 15, 2013Thank you for funding this awesome project. My students have been SO engaged in meaningful learning experiences. I have filled the sand and water table with lots of sensory items. We have used water, dried corn, and soft pom-poms. My students have enjoyed digging though different materials in search of letters, numbers, or word cards. They love having access to such an interesting learning center. This has been quite the motivator for my class too. I have been able to open a the sensory table as a "bonus" play center for students during indoor recess time. What a gift for both the students and I - they will work extra hard just so they will get picked to play at this table on rainy days.
My students use the math manipulatives daily. They use clear tokens for game pieces. They use the dice for roll and read centers, and so much more. I have created tons of interesting counting games using the little animal objects you have provided. It might sound like I'm running a zoo as students count the little animals and put them on ten frames. However, to me the little animal noises coming from my students tell me that they are having fun and are engaged to the max.
My students are interested in finishing their three mandatory work-stations so that they can move on to the open-ended centers using materials you provided. Once they complete their required work they have free choice with how to extend their learning. Many students love the lacing station where they build three-letter words with the letter beads. Other students get super excited to use the crayon rubbing station. The first time I showed them how to do one the whole class cheered with "oohs and ahhhs!"
I am delighted to see magical moments in kindergarten. I have been able to skip many worksheets this year and replace them with hands-on learning centers. I love that you have provided this gift to my class!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Martinez