Past projects 5
TI-Nspire Mathematics College Ready
Funded Sep 2, 2015It has taken me some time to actually have a group of students that were ready for these wonderful TNspire Calculators. Students are really taken with the sophistication of the computer algebra system. Now that I am teaching Advanced Placement Calculus we are getting the chance to explore mathematical concepts and develop deeper understanding of mathematics.
I have students in all of my classes, from statistics to Geometry to Calculus, yes I am that busy in this small community school, explore the uses of technology and familiarize themselves with all of the applications it contains.
Students are always thinking that just getting the answer is how you solve math problems. I am able to turn that around by having them quickly find their answer then showing me the math that is involved in getting that answer. (They are suddenly thrown with this scenario since now they have to show the work). The work, and not the answer, is important to their learning thanks to the calculators you have provided.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Cruz-Farooqi
Graphing Calculators Make Learning Engaging
Funded Mar 27, 2018As you can see my students were so in love with their colorful graphing calculators. They were amazed at how much fun solving all types of systems were with their new calculators. It is funny that they depend on it for everything. They leave nothing to chance or guessing but rather say, "Let me double check" as they use the new calculators.
They really are a pleasure from my perspective. They allow for no confusion as each graph, with these sleek calculators, is color coded. This makes understanding easier for students that need that sort of differentiation. They are also a pleasure because my out of pocket expense for batteries is alleviated. The calculators are rechargeable only and have a charging station! So cool!
In any event, I have to limit their use to my smaller groups because I didn't want any students in my larger class groups to feel left out. I don't want it to seem as if I have favorites nor have the students fight over them. I have to make more donor requests until I have a full class set. They are so worth the effort with the enjoyment the students have.
Once again, thank you for helping make learning engaging, accessible, and fun.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Farooqi”
With gratitude,
Ms. Cruz-Farooqi
This classroom project was brought to life by Ripple.Trailblazing Teens Service for Community
Funded Feb 2, 2015Many of my students like doing things that help others. They tutor each other. They volunteer time to help others raise funds for things like trips or simply paying senior dues. However, with your help and the help of the staff at Frost Valley YMCA, my students were able to give future camp-goers a way to step into a shaded area and observe nature.
The bus transportation you helped cover the expenses for, allowed these students to learn how to clear hiking trails and why it is important. They worked in two teams which switched places midday so that everyone had an opportunity to build a bird-blind and clear trails. Both services were greatly appreciated by the staff at Frost Valley who made our stay enjoyable.
The kids kept thanking me for providing them the opportunity and experience. They really are thanking you. Teachers had to be willing to hike miles, brave bugs and insects and spend days in the sun doing community service; not to mention staying up evenings because excited children never seem to require much sleep. Thank you for remembering how important it is to do positive things for others and gave my students the opportunity to learn the very same value. Thank you for allowing my students the opportunity to have positive memories to associate with what it means to be young.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Cruz-Farooqi
Trailblazers in Robotics
Funded Oct 5, 2011The books you were so kind to help provide our beginner team in robotics was a tremendous help. Students used them for ideas in construction as well as programming.
The robot, which has been named Beamo, has one through and continues to go through various transformations. These students marvel at all that can be accomplished with some know-how and a little ingenuity. The task you see students currently undertaking is attaching a tray to Beamo so that it may collect the bacteria from the robotics game.
We are currently working on handling all aspects of the Food Factor competition, which is the theme to this year's Lego NXT competition. Yet that is not all the team hopes to accomplish before the school year is up. With the robotics books you've helped us receive, students are eager to build many suggested constructions along with programming ideas.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Cruz-Farooqi
7th Grader's Guide To The Galaxy
Funded Jan 10, 2011Your donation of a digital camera and the digital scrapbooking software has made our weekly advisory class a fun experience. Every year advisory class is where students discuss goals, do activities that enrich and conduct helpful and informative discussions. This year is without a doubt one of the most memorable for our students. To begin with, with your help, we have been able to give them a voice and a platform to explore their lives and set some goals. Our scrapbook has made it possible to discuss, define and learn about matters such as bullying. We have shared our good classroom experiences and bad ones. We've documented trips and designed pages so that they are full of happy memories.
The most important aspect of all is the fact that the students cooperated together to help compile memories filled with laughter and good times. Advisory is usually problematic because students and teachers don't always agree with what is relevant. However, your donation made it possible for Advisory in our 7th grade class to have a theme whereby we talked about what is relevant to our students and they went out and documented it with pictures.
Without donors like you, city classrooms in the United States would not be able to design their own form of cultural expression.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Cruz-Farooqi
This classroom project was brought to life by American Express Members Project and one other donor.