Past projects 3
iPad Minis for Eager 2nd Graders
Funded Oct 21, 2015My students and I thank you for your generosity for our iPad Minis. We are at a public international elementary school, and my students spend half of their day in a Spanish immersion class (for math and science). They are with me for reading, writing, and social studies. So not only does one class benefit from these devices, but a second class does too!
While my most of my students are amply exposed to technology at home, our school doesn't have a big technology budget. I believe it is imperative that all children, even those in grades K-2, need to have sufficient practice using a variety of tech.
With these iPad Minis, I have doubled the number of internet accessible devices in my classroom. We've only been using these in the classroom for about a month, and much of the use has been related to Code.org. But I do plan to have students use these devices for researching too. My students are only a year away from the big test (in Washington, the SBAC), and I want every student to be comfortable with reading and researching on screens such as those of the iPad Minis. It is a very different skill than reading a physical book or magazine.
Thank you again for your kindness. We do appreciate it!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Vandersnick
Stability Cushions For Safe Classroom Wiggling
Funded Sep 12, 2014Thank you for your generous donations that have allowed my students to all use these stability cushions to expel some movement while letting them focus on their reading and writing. Whether at a student desk or as a cushion on the floor, these cushions are well appreciated.
Each and every student has the option to use a cushion each day. Within two weeks, these cushions became a normal part of our classroom. While students very occasionally may mistakenly put their feet on the cushions, 98% of the time, a cushion is either under someone's bottom in a chair or as a nice pillow behind them (between one's back and the seat back).
Thank you again for your support of my classroom and students!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Vandersnick
An Area Rug for Minilessons (for 24 second graders)
Funded Nov 1, 2013The rug that you generously funded this fall arrived the week before Thanksgiving break, just a few days before the students' week off. Our trusty custodian delivered it to my classroom and helped me to open it. My morning class was still there. There was no stopping their help! As soon as the rug began to unfurl, at least 3 bodies attempted to land on it before it was completely rolled out. With cooperation, we laid it out in the correct spot. The excitement and relieved anticipation followed with writing journal entries to the effect of "Today we got our rug. I layed on it." (sic, second grade writing) with a picture of the author with a huge smile on his face while stretched out on the rug.
We use the rug as a meeting area for class meetings and instructional times. It is tremendously easier to have all 24 bodies settled and sets of eyes focused when everyone is no more than 10 feet from me. My mini lessons to begin Readers and Writers workshops start here, and we share work as a whole group here, too.
Both classes of 24 have enjoyed having this rug when it is time to read independently. Even bringing a clipboard to this area nearest the board in order to see more easily is more pleasant than when we had an empty space. The 1/2" of cushion and colorful palate warms up the classroom. This rug clearly delineates a separate space in our boxy classroom.
Thank you again for your support.
From one grateful teacher and 48 second grade boys and girls,”
With gratitude,
Ms. Vandersnick