Past projects 4
A Digital Upgrade for Humanities
Funded Jun 8, 2021Thank you SO much for helping enhance our Digital Identity! My students have loved using our iPad Pro and Magic Keyboard in our classroom. They were so surprised and delighted that so many people were willing to contribute and help their journey of learning.
We have been using the iPad Pro and Magic Keyboard around the classroom during our lessons. Students use it to present their work, and I use it to showcase different literacy strategies. For example, it is especially helpful for annotations and student work creations. We can scan documents on it, take photos and videos, the possibilities are endless! Some of my emergent bilingual students use it to translate documents and some of my students with disabilities use it to play audiobook versions of our class text. It has really enhanced our instruction and ensure more access and accessibility for all students.
In such a challenging school year, it can be easy to overlook the gratitude and compassion that comes with the profession. Thank you for reminding me of what is important. We are so grateful!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Kivell
Help Us Expand And Explore Our Learning Environment!
Funded Dec 1, 2016Thank you so much for believing in my kids and the learning that goes on in our classroom. My students were so excited for the bean bag chairs and pads to arrive! They could not believe that so many people believed in them enough to donate money towards their education.
Students have been able to use the bean bag chairs on our rug during our independent reading and work time. The bean bag chairs have been especially helpful in encouraging struggling students. Many students want to use the bean bag chairs and then are more motivated to read or do their work so they can gain that opportunity. Multiple students use the bean bag chairs at one time so it also encourages teamwork and collaboration.
The pads have positively transformed our learning experience! When we engage in station work, students are able to engage with the pads and use the technology at their fingertips. In addition, many of the students have been using the pads for research. Our final Humanities project allowed students to pick a topic of their choice from our units this year and conduct their own research until finally compiling an original writing piece. The pads and their Bluetooth keyboard cases have been instrumental in the execution of this project.
My kids are the best part of my profession and they continue to surprise me consistently. Thank you again for believing in their beautiful minds and hearts. I truly appreciate each of you!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Kivell
This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 19 other donors.Malala, Our Hero: Help Us Discover Her Story!
Funded Oct 8, 2015Thank you SO much for allowing our fantastic students the opportunity to go see "He Named Me Malala" ! This field trip was the highlight of the fall semester and I know that the students absolutely loved it. Before we saw the movie, we used our Community lessons to enrich our minds and learn all about Malala. The students saw the news videos, heard her speeches, and read excerpts from her book before seeing the documentary. Most importantly, all students learned about Pakistan, and the current educational system in place in Pakistan. Our students understood the depth of these complex issues and wanted to advocate on behalf of female Pakistani students. By the time it came for the field trip, they could not wait to see Malala's voice come alive!
During the documentary, I have never seen our students so engaged by a video before. They were seeing a young person who was just a little older than them, who was evoking real change. Malala is a completely accessible role model that they can relate to. By watching her story, our students got to know her. At the end of the documentary, every single student was clapping and even gave a standing ovation. As an educator, it is a really magical moment to see current events and learning come alive for our students. Our students found their voice in advocacy. They now want to know about more issues that they can take a stand on. We all understand that real change can occur when someone decides to speak up.
As a result of the tremendous success of this field trip and corresponding curricular materials, the learning has not stopped. We now have the DVD version of the documentary and multiple copies of Malala's book, "I Am Malala." Starting next year, sixth graders will read Malala's book during the narrative unit and they will also watch her documentary as the culminating task of the unit. I am personally so excited to continue Malala's story and keep her incredible journey alive in my classroom.
None of this would have been possible without your help! You helped us become advocates, and change-makers.
Thank you again, for hearing our voices and allowing us to #StandWithMalala!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Kivell
Wanted: This Literacy Class Needs a Document Camera and Rug!
Funded Jul 6, 2015I am so thankful every day that this project was able to successfully happen. You each have positively transformed my classroom environment. My students feel safe, comfortable and eager to learn, thanks to your kind efforts.
The document camera has drastically changed my lessons. I can show student work, excerpts from our class novels, anything I want! I can project it onto my SMARTboard, zoom in and out, take pictures, and it even automatically focuses. My students no longer complain about not being able to see something on the board. Eyesight is huge, and many of my students do not have the proper glasses to help them see. In my classroom, however, they can see from every seat. My students love being able to showcase and display their work to their peers and colleagues. It really is a game-changer. I love using it, and I think it helps my instruction become more interactive, accessible, and exciting. I am so grateful to have it and to include my students in the technology in my classroom.
We love this rug! We use it daily, usually multiple times a day. My students read on it every day during the independent reading portion of our Community class. In addition, we also use it for class discussions, meetings, and when we need to take some space. The rug makes our classroom feel cozy and safe. My students love it and they are motivated to read on the rug. It has brought our classroom community together and every students loves using it. It has become the star corner of the classroom!
There are so many kind humans that have helped make our classroom a kind, secure, and compassionate place. My students feel respected and invigorated and I love teaching in a room that exudes warmth and passion. Thank you for becoming a part of our classroom community. I have the privilege every day of teaching absolutely incredible young people. Thank you for believing in them and their futures.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Kivell