Ms. Mandy's Classroom Edit display name

Past projects 7

• Collaborative Classroom Materials

  Funded Aug 14, 2024

  Thank you so much for helping us start the year off right! This was the first year I had a "integrated co-teaching" classroom. This means there are two teachers and children in the room who are in need of a little bit more support.

  The addition of the circular table thanks to you donations is a game changer. It allows us to have two really wonderful places to meet with our students in small groups. Each teacher can now comfortably work with small groups, providing them with individualized support. The table top easel is the perfect size to have on that table, we can write notes, extra instruction or do an extra review/teach on it. This project has had a major impact on our classroom. Thank you so much for your donation and generosity.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Mandy

  This classroom project was brought to life by The Gates Foundation and 4 other donors.

• Help us Build Curiosity and Creativity

  Funded Aug 25, 2024

  Thank you so much for your generous donation! Thanks to you we were able to start the year off with new open ended STEM tools. These are our students' favorite materials in the classroom, they live in a spot called the "creation corner."

  Every single morning students are able to choose a tub to work in that is filled with an open ended STEM tool. They are able to build and play every morning with brand new materials. They work collaboratively to create buildings, jewelry and even do experiments. Thank you again for your donation, each day is better thanks to you.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Mandy

• Self Regulating Students!

  Funded Apr 10, 2024

  Thank you so much for your generosity! Your donation has allowed every single child in our school access to tools that promote self regulation. Your donation went towards many different shapes and sizes of weighted stuffed animals. These have gone into baskets that each teacher gets. The baskets contain various tools to help support children as they navigate through big emotions.

  Weighted stuffed animals are a treasure in the classroom. They are cute, cuddly, comfortable and provide relief for anxiety and stress. We've used them as centerpieces for restorative circles, placed them at our cozy corners for students to hug while they do some breathing and even invited them to subjects like math and reading. Students are able to use and share this tool as needed while they learn to self regulate. Thank you again for making an impact on our entire school community!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Mandy

• Building Engagement, Learning & Fun with Blocks!

  Funded Apr 4, 2024

  Thank you so much for your generosity. Thanks to you we were able to completely re-vamp our block center, turning it into a place every child is eager to play in! Students were so excited to unbox the blocks and set the space up into their ideal center. This allowed them to take ownership and come up with ideas of how and where we store all the materials! It was such a fun experience.

  The amazing shelf that was included in this gave our block accessories a place to live in our classroom. As you can see in the photos, including more than just blocks allows students the opportunity to do more than just build. They incorporate literacy, geometry and social studies in their building. The shelves allowed for empty spaces where students can create and safely store their own accessories for the center. They've made more animals, people and furniture out of various art supplies and recycled material.

  This enriching experience is all thanks to your generosity! Thank you again.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Mandy

• Chromebooks for the Future

  Funded Aug 13, 2019

  Thank you so much to everyone who donated and allowed my students access to technology. These laptops have helped foster independence, creativity and enrich the learning experience in my classroom.

  They are used during math time, reading time and choice time! These laptops allow students to engage in self directed learning, we use a program that provides lessons catered specifically to the students' areas of need. It provides a fun way to get some extra help to learners who are struggling as well as enrichment.

  Thank you everyone because you have provided many of my students with their favorite choice time activity. Whether it is a game or a lesson they are always excited to get on the laptops. Students have even expressed interest in becoming coders now! Your donation has opened up a world of possibilities in my classroom.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Mandy

  This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 5 other donors.

• Tables for Teamwork!

  Funded Dec 15, 2017

  I wanted to start off by thanking each and every one of you for your generosity. My original layout of 30 individual desks grouped together was bulky and space consuming; students could not go from one end of the room to the other without bumping into each other. The ability to switch from desks to tables has not only given my student more room to physically move but enabled me to create a more welcoming classroom environment. The entire feeling in the room transformed thanks to these tables.

  The second they saw their "new classroom", the excitement was clear. My students couldn't wait to come in and use their new tables. The whole classroom became open to them. The tables were not mine, they were ours. As a class we problem solved and figured out the best spaces to put materials. Doing this together allowed my students to take ownership and pride over the furniture and room itself.

  Students are able to choose their seat after each lesson, they can't wait to go off and work independently or in groups. Each new lesson is an opportunity for them to sit somewhere new or work with a different person. This has allowed them to make choices every day that benefit their own learning. They are able to choose people they work well with and form new friendships in the process.

  Thank you so much for helping make my classroom a more comfortable, collaborative space to learn!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Mandy

• Learning Centers

  Funded Dec 19, 2017

  Thank you so much for your generosity! Thanks to you my classroom was able to transform. My room is not small but with 30 students it often felt cramped. I had 30 desks, a meeting area, a library area and 30 students eager to learn. Your generosity has allowed my students to use the whole classroom at all times and have flexible seating.

  The classroom is set up with flexible seating for flexible learners. Sitting at a desk and chair all day is not the best way for all students to learn. In my classroom we do a lot of movement throughout the day from whole class, group work to independent work. No student is sitting in one place all day. My goal is to give students opportunities for choice throughout the day so they can take ownership over their learning. This choice combined with different seating options allowed each student to figure out for themselves the best spot where they feel comfortable and ready to learn.

  I varied the table heights so students have the opportunity to sit on a cushion on the floor and lean on the table (a quick favorite among many). They can choose to sit in the rug areas, a table, a low table or the bench. The clipboards you donated allowed them to utilize rug areas during independent work time.

  Thanks to they low shelves the entire room opened up, it has become brighter and more welcoming. They can see from one end of the room to the other while still having defined areas (such as a writing center, art center etc...). This allows them to access the materials they might need and be self-sufficient.

  Thanks again for giving my students a classroom they are excited to walk into every day.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Mandy