Past projects 8
Geometry with Quilts
Funded Mar 27, 2018Students enjoyed this learning experience. We researched ways that quilts were used and how they were created throughout the past. Students were intrigued to discover that quilts were used during the underground railroad as a way to signal safely for enslaved people running for freedom. The math teacher worked with the students providing lessons on measurement, geometry and tessellation. Students also used the chromebooks provided with you donation to find patterns to create. Each student selected a pattern and measured off a 9 x 9 square. They used shapes to help them create their design. Our last step was for the students to combine their squares into a quilt. The art teacher assisted them during this step teaching them how colors and design play off each other. Students laid out their "friendship" quilt in an aesthetically pleasing way. Finally it was shared to our class site. It is with immense gratitude that I write to you to let you know how much the students enjoyed this project.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Maloney
This classroom project was brought to life by Ripple.Interactive Learning with a Whiteboard
Funded Jan 22, 2018The interactive whiteboard is a game changer in our classroom. Small groups of students meet in the back of the classroom to use it. The work is projected and one student acts as instructor and calls on other students for responses. The instructor's role gets rotated because all of the students most enjoy the role and it gives them opportunity to teach what they know. The old adage is true, the best way to learn something is to teach it. So, the interactive whiteboard serves as a place where student "instructors" lead the groups.
This format is used for peer editing, test review and close reading. Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness and willingness to support our classroom.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Maloney
Active Learning Classroom Makeover
Funded Aug 24, 2017Greetings from Room 413. Thank you so much for your donation to our classroom. The students are thrilled to have a comfortable place to group. We work on several collaborative projects and the material that you donated help students to find a spot to meet and put their heads together.
The blue stools are versatile so that students can pick up and move them to a quiet corner in the room to discuss a book or develop a project. The table is adjustable so that students can stand or sit at the table.
Students will next be using these spaces to plan and create an interactive slide show about their chosen explorers. Working in teams, students will create a slide show that is interactive for viewers. The slides will allow viewers to make choices. For example, given the fact that the Santa Maria sinks, does Columbus (Choice 1, establish a settlement; Choice 2, crowd all the sailors onto the Pinta; choice 3, join the natives and never return to homeland). Students then create hyperlinks in the slides and viewers branch off in a different direction. These are the types of projects that students are able to create and our new furniture is ideal. Thank you!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Maloney
This classroom project was brought to life by Sergey Brin Family Foundation and 2 other donors.Book Clubs Go Digital
Funded Aug 9, 2016Dear Donors, Like all teachers, my goal is to get students to want to read not "pretend to read." Students became excited on the day the first shipment of new books arrived in our classroom. Students formed groups and selected their books. They decided on how many pages each member of the "book club" should read each night. When the group finished the book and completed a related project, they were allowed to choose a new book. My first clue that the students liked this set up was that most students finished their books before deadline date. They wanted to choose their next book. The online discussion was my next indication that these fifth graders were excited about their books. During the online discussion, students recommended their selected book and told a bit about it, giving it a rating. Next, a designated student interviewed a member of each book club group and ranked it using the "readmoji" rating system (all books ranked "really loved it" and "loved it." (A class blog about the reviews is in the works). My final indication that the students were excited about reading was when I learned that they were talking about the books on the playground. The hard evidence is that all of the students read 5 books in the first ten weeks of school. We owe this surge in reading to the generosity of our donors. Many thanks from us.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Maloney
The Unleaded
Funded Mar 11, 2016Dear Donor,
Students cheered when I announced that our package arrived. We anticipated the delivery because our classroom pencil sharpener was on the fritz. It took too long to make a pencil sharp. This may seem like a small thing but it made a huge difference in our routine and time management. Students now can prepare for their day with announcements in nice colors on the white board and have their pencils ready. Another item that came in the package was an anchor chart that helps students with word choice. Students complete a lot of projects throughout the year and they frequently reference anchor charts displayed on the walls as they work. I included pictures of students working on a few of the projects that they completed this year. Thanks to your generosity, our year was more productive. My students and I appreciate your donation to our class.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Maloney
This classroom project was brought to life by #BestSchoolDay and one other donor.Where We Are From
Funded Aug 21, 2015I am a teacher who has worked with technology for the past 20 years. I have seen first hand the thrill and excitement that students feel using various apps and devices. I wish to thank you for giving my class an ipad to use for our project. The project turned out great. In addition, the ipad is now available to use for other projects and student special needs. For example, one child is very articulate but cannot put his thoughts to paper. He uses an app to dictate his thinking into the device and his response can be played back to me so that I know he understands the topic. Thank you kindly for your donation.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Maloney
Game Show
Funded Aug 15, 2012The first time that we played Classroom Jeopardy, it was obvious to all of the students that their weakest subject was geography. This subject is no longer taught as a separate subject but integrated across the curriculum. For example, students watch CNN Student News and discuss the subject matter and talk about the region. Little time is spent during class for students to focus on identifying all of the countries and U. S. states on a map. Most students are not familiar with names of rivers, mountain ranges or oceans. In fact, some students did not know if Ohio was a city, state or country! Playing Jeopardy brought this to their attention and consequently, they wanted to improve their knowledge of Geography.
Together we hatched a plan. Our plan involves using the Classroom Jeopardy game in an school-wide Geo Bee competition. The school principal is providing trophies and prizes. He ordered a plaque to engrave the name of the Geo Bee winner of this year and names of winners of subsequent years. This plaque will be displayed on the school's trophy wall. Students are doing their part by preparing for the competition during the winter intercession. Students took home maps, worksheets and flash cards to use during their break. The first round takes place as soon as the students return from break. Three winners from round one will compete in the second round held in the school auditorium. The winner of round 3 will be entered into the state competition. Students are pumped up.
Thanks to your generosity students are excited and eager to learn!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Maloney
The Unleaded
Funded Nov 1, 2011The Unleaded Project made is possible for students to plan projects on paper before starting them on the computer. (We did not have a pencil sharpener or pencils to use in the computer lab). This resulted in better projects. For example, fifth graders made a cartoon about a famous explorer using free online 2.0 software. Due to your generosity, my students had a pencil sharpener and pencils to use to write notes and complete graphic organizers and were better able to transfer their ideas. They wrote what their cartoon characters might say before they used the program. This step resulted in better projects. Thank you so much for giving!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Maloney