Ms. Koehler's Classroom Edit display name

Current requests

Past projects 13

• Help Our Classroom Garden Grow!

  Funded Jul 26, 2022

  Thank you so much for your very generous donation of materials to help our classroom garden grow! Our class is overflowing with greenery, which helps immensely with our mental wellbeing and sense of calm in the classroom. For your project, you helped fund our new classroom watering can (which the class botanists use weekly), new planter containers, and new ceramic pots.

  We are currently propagating plants in the classroom, and will very soon be painting the ceramic pots. Ultimately, each student will get to care for and take home their own plants in these individualized pots, helping pay our green thumb forward into each of their homes.

  Thank you so much for helping "pay the green forward", especially in a classroom that is located in a city center that highly values every little bit of green we can get!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Koehler

  This classroom project was brought to life by General Motors and 2 other donors.

• Self Expression & Self Care Through Art

  Funded May 3, 2022

  Thank you so much for the amazing art supplies! My class is so excited to spend the year using them all as we explore different ways to be creative.

  So far, we have used a lot of the high-quality and thick paper for painting, as well as some of the new paints and brushes. We did a creative project tied into our social studies curriculum as well.

  Next week, we will be using a lot of the glitter paints in order to paint a wall-sized backdrop for our upcoming Fall festivities! The kids are so thrilled to use the materials, and I am so grateful that they can paint and create to their hearts' delight without having to worry about running out and not being able to replace them.

  Thank you again so much for your continued support and help. While you can't see it in person, I can guarantee you have brought a smile to each of my student's faces.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Koehler

  This classroom project was brought to life by SONIC Drive-In and one other donor.

• Love That Book!

  Funded May 22, 2022

  Thank you so much for this amazing class set of books! Over many years, I have found myself always wishing for a book just like this in order to help my students deepen their love of and appreciation for poetry. This book, written completely in verse, has been a game changer in students being able to dive into poetry in new and meaningful ways.

  I am planning to use this text with my class during Poetry Month, which will take place next April. So, while I cannot share with you the first hand accounts (yet!) of this year's students, what I can tell you is that this is a class full of eager readers and learners.

  I plan to use this book to teach figurative language such as similes and metaphors, to learn about different styles of poetry, to study different influential poets, and to expose my students to a new form of narrative. In all of these ways, the class set of "Love That Dog" gives me a chance to make poetry come to life in ways that a textbook or worksheet never could. Thank you so much for bringing the joy of reading and verse to my classroom!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Koehler

• Keep It Clean!

  Funded Jan 12, 2022

  From the bottom of my heart, thank you for helping fund this project. As you all know, the Omicron surge has continued to be a challenging time for everyone, with schools trying to do everything that they can to keep our classrooms safe spaces for our kids. Through your generosity, I was able to get enough additional PPE to help make sure that my class could get through the beginning of this year with a plentiful supply of safety materials.

  From the boxes of masks, to the bottles of surface disinfectant and sanitizer, and additional filters for our (many!) classroom air purifiers, you helped to fund a project that has helped my class in countless ways. My students take great comfort in hearing the "hum" of purifiers on throughout the day, and are also "experts" in hand sanitizing, masking, and other safety measures. They greatly appreciate what you have supplied for our class, and are grateful for your generosity at such a challenging time.

  While they won't have the opportunity to meet you in person, please know that you have really touched our class with your generosity and kindness. On behalf of all of us - thank you so much!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Koehler

• Raise Your Hands for Clean, Ventilated Air!

  Funded Aug 12, 2021

  Thank you so much for the Honeywell air purifier. Words in this message cannot express my gratitude for helping provide an additional level of safety for my classroom and students as we navigate this dangerous pandemic. Hearing this purifier hum all through the day provides both me and my students extra comfort, knowing that the air is constantly being cleaned all day. I have already used some of the additional filters in order to make sure that the purifier is always up to date and providing the cleanest possible air - an even bigger benefit during this current variant.

  We hope that you have also been able to navigate this time safely. Thank you again for your concern and care.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Koehler

  This classroom project was brought to life by Bill Gates and one other donor.

• Recess - More than Just Fun and Games

  Funded Aug 22, 2018

  Thank you so much for these exciting materials! The string balls have become a favorite recess and indoor PE activity. My students are learning about fine and gross motor skills, and I am promoting activities that help them develop these important life skills. The string balls have been the ideal addition to this goal! Not only that, they have provided a perfect recess activity for students who want to play, but are intimidated by the "big ball" games like basketball and handball. They are now a very sought after recess equipment! Thank you for helping provide an additional activity that promotes teamwork, gross motor skills, and cooperation for my thrilled class.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Koehler

  This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and one other donor.

• Let's Exercise our Creative Muscles!

  Funded Jul 29, 2018

  Thank you SO much for your generous donation! We have been working on a very special project using the lanyard materials that you helped us purchase. This year, our students will be making regular visits to a community senior center. Our goal is to "fill their buckets" - which means to bring them some happiness and joy, and to help brighten their day. We have been making lanyards in order to bring as a gift to the seniors when we visit them next week. Thank you for helping teach my students about empathy, kindness, and paying it forward - they cannot wait to bring the lanyards that they have worked so hard on! I look forward to seeing their capacity for generosity grow through this project. Thank you for being an integral part of that.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Koehler

• Music - a "Key" Ingredient for Learning!

  Funded Jan 25, 2018

  Thank you so much for your generous gift to our classroom! Having a keyboard in the class has been truly transformative. Many students take piano lessons at home and have started to fill the classroom with lovely songs throughout the day. Every recess, the keyboard is a popular indoor activity that students love to take part in with their friends. It has been a real joy having more music in the class, and I owe it all to you. Thank you again for helping increase the amount of melody and music in my classroom.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Koehler

  This classroom project was brought to life by The First Million Fund and one other donor.

• Checkmate! Chess Sets + Students = Meaningful Recess Time

  Funded Sep 22, 2017

  Chess Club has been a rousing success! When we first opened the boxes, my students clapped with joy and excitement because they knew this meant that Chess Club could officially begin! Every week, any student from 4th or 5th grade is invited to participate in Chess Club at lunch recess. It has been a real joy seeing the many boys and girls who come every week, and who invite their friends to come along. Especially for students who are never sure what to do with recess time, having a safe and engaging place to be, and to invite their friends to, has been such a success.

  A few girls told me that they feel like they are becoming "experts" in chess because of the Chess Teacher sets that help teach as they play. Thank you so much for providing the tools for our club and for helping make this longtime dream of mine a reality.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Koehler