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Ms. Alston's Classroom

  • Broad Rock Elementary School
  • Richmond, VA
  • Nearly all students from low‑income households Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more

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Past projects 66

  • Feel-Good Classroom

    Funded Dec 31, 2022

    It's important to me and my students that this classroom is like a second home to us, especially since we spend so much of our day in here! Thanks to your donations, I was able to restock our plug in air fresheners and wipes, a must for a well-kept classroom. I even snuck in a few books that reinforce social-emotional themes that even fifth graders need to be reminded of. My students thoroughly enjoyed the story about "The Girl That Never Made Mistakes," and related it to their life of not having to always be perfect all the time. I hope to keep implementing things that make my classroom feel good!”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Alston

    This classroom project was brought to life by Center for Disaster Philanthropy and 3 other donors.
  • It's Game Time: A Fun Way to Review

    Funded Nov 29, 2022

    My class loves a good and fun review, so I definitely wanted to up the ante on them by implementing new games. The new materials we received have been very helpful in the process. Review games are for fun, but also for learning purposes, and we love to make learning fun. They love to get competitive while revisiting content and practicing strategies they remember learning. So far we've used the gems, which was a huge hit to play "Pirate's Treasure," and the building blocks for a fun and collaborative community activity. We can't wait to continue using more of our new materials for other fun review games just waiting to be played in this classroom!”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Alston

    This classroom project was brought to life by an Anonymous Classroom Supporter and 2 other donors.
  • 5th Grade SURFers

    Funded Nov 29, 2022

    If there is one thing we love in my classroom, it's new books! My students love to see what my library has new to offer them for independent reading. Needless to say, they were ecstatic to learn that we not only had new graphic novels and picture books, but that there were snacks to go along with them. The snacks have really encouraged and incentivized students to read on their own while waiting for their bus to get called. It's the perfect time of day for silent and uninterrupted reading fun. The snacks have definitely made it fun for them, too! I can definitely say that it's my students' favorite time of day now. Thank you for making a simple idea come to life and become a big thing in my class.”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Alston

    This classroom project was brought to life by an Anonymous Classroom Supporter and 5 other donors.
  • Gloves for 5th Graders

    Funded Nov 28, 2022

    Gloves for 5th graders was a huge success, and I have you to thank for it! It was the perfect gift to lead my students into their winter breaks. I still see students using their gloves regularly since they've received them. The invisible ink pens were a huge hit, as well. Many of them were yearning for one since seeing them at the book fair, but many also couldn't afford to get one. It warmed my heart that they could all have their own invisible ink pen now. Needless to say, they thoroughly enjoyed and were very grateful for their small, yet, thoughtful gifts. Thank you for your kindness and support in helping to make this happen.”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Alston

  • Creating Creatives

    Funded Oct 26, 2022

    Our class loves coloring and drawing and finding ways to make a lot of use out of paper. From sketchbooks to post-it notes, we use it all for all different purposes. My students were in awe when they saw our brand new box of colored pencils that offered an abundance of different colors. It's so much easier for us to use a shared supply than individual boxes, because it means everyone has access anytime they need it. I love being able to provide a worry-free coloring experience for them.

    Although my class was excited for the colored pencils and paints, I was more excited for the whiteboard supply holder. The system I use for Accountable Independent Reading time requires my students to fill out a sticky note with a reading response for something they've read. They then have to turn their sticky note in for me to read later. The whiteboard magnetic holder has made this system much easier and smoother, because there is now a designated spot for them to turn it in. I believe they love this system better than a journal entry. Thank you again, donors!”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Alston

    This classroom project was brought to life by Panda Cares and 8 other donors.
  • Supplies Are a Staple

    Funded Sep 20, 2022

    As the school year gets going, I always find that there is a lack of basic office supplies that I need to get through some everyday tasks. I did not realize I was out of so many of those basics! File folders are a must-have in my classroom so that I can keep track of my student's work to showcase their progress throughout the year and to parents. I was very happy to have received those and get my filing system set up. I love that my students have easy access to the files as well, so they can see their work as the school year progresses. The paper clips and rubber bands will come in handy for some of our future STEM and community activities. My favorite item is the laptop stand, which is used to make handling my teacher computer and presentations easily and efficiently. Thank you for thinking of me and ways that I can be successful for my students. We appreciate you.”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Alston

    This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 2 other donors.
  • A Little Sketch-y

    Funded Sep 6, 2022

    I can't say thank you enough for helping to be able to provide such a special gift to my students. Their faces were priceless when I told them that they were all getting their own sketchbook to keep and use when they see necessary. Their gratefulness and excitement made me realize how it really is the little things that make students feel like I go above and beyond for them. Since giving them the sketchbooks, they have not let them go. I have caught many of my students taking them to lunch, recess, home, or keeping them here in school so that they can easily keep track of them. I love that they love their gift, and I hope they understand that it was made possible by the power of donations from kind hearts and the love from their teacher. Thank you for making this a possibility come true.”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Alston

  • Let's Get It Started!

    Funded Jul 26, 2022

    My favorite part of the beginning of the school year is having a new and improved classroom for my new set of students. I was so excited that the timing of everything arriving was right at the start of the year, so I was prepared. The headphones have been a huge help in my class, especially since many of them did not come to school with any. My students needed them right away, and I'm so grateful that I could give them each a pair of their own earbuds. The candy has been a huge hit, also. We've had a lot of birthdays this month so far, and I was able to make birthday bags for each of them that included the candy. Lastly, the snacks have been great at the end of the day for students that wanted a little something before going home for the day. I love being able to provide for my students and look forward to the many ways I can in the near future thanks to you all.”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Alston

    This classroom project was brought to life by Kleenex® Brand and 6 other donors.
  • Making the Classroom Life Easier

    Funded Feb 9, 2022

    Everything from this project has already been put into full use, and my students are loving it. By far the pencils have been the most requested item from my students, so I'm very happy that I'm able to provide those for them. Along with those, the Swiffer refills have been long awaited to clean up sticky messes easily. However, I believe the real fan favorite is the set of dodgeballs. I was concerned about the size at first, but they have been the perfect replacement for the small ones we were using for our community activities. My kids were so excited to see them, and shared the same sentiment that I felt about them being the perfect size for our games.

    We are continuing to neatly organize our space, as well as take care of our supplies so that they last, and DonorsChoose has been a huge help in that. We are very grateful for what we are able to attain thanks to your help as well.”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Alston

    This classroom project was brought to life by Black History Month Partners and 3 other donors.
  • School Supply Stock

    Funded Feb 9, 2022

    I did not realize how bad we needed a restock of school supplies until these items arrived in my classroom! Highlighters have become a prized possession for our reading block, and the students are loving the assorted colors. I also can tell that they really appreciate me the new headphones, which was the big ticket item in this project. The old ones I had were too small and broke easily. They love the colors and size of the new ones. I'm so appreciative to all of the donors and boosts that helped us get these items so quickly.”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Alston

    This classroom project was brought to life by Black History Month Partners and 3 other donors.
I teach 5th grade science and so that students don’t find it the least bit boring I make every unit as hands on as possible! We start with interactive notebooks, which they enjoy putting together. However a lot of glue is needed for foldables and pictures. Glue sticks would be very helpful in making sure that we never have a shortage and all students are prepared daily. Although many students enjoy putting the notebooks together, some have a hard time feeling motivated to stay seated. Wobble cushions are flexible seating options that can help combat that issue. The seat cushions I have now are being worn out and used frequently between my three blocks. I would like more options for those in seats, as well as those who want to sit on the floor to take notes or do seat work during stations. Lastly, science gets messy in our room! It’s not always easy getting a custodian up to our room in enough time to avoid any accidents or injuries. We would like to tackle them right away (especially when using food and liquids). A Swiffer, along with refills, would be an ideal cleaning tool.

About my class

I teach 5th grade science and so that students don’t find it the least bit boring I make every unit as hands on as possible! We start with interactive notebooks, which they enjoy putting together. However a lot of glue is needed for foldables and pictures. Glue sticks would be very helpful in making sure that we never have a shortage and all students are prepared daily. Although many students enjoy putting the notebooks together, some have a hard time feeling motivated to stay seated. Wobble cushions are flexible seating options that can help combat that issue. The seat cushions I have now are being worn out and used frequently between my three blocks. I would like more options for those in seats, as well as those who want to sit on the floor to take notes or do seat work during stations. Lastly, science gets messy in our room! It’s not always easy getting a custodian up to our room in enough time to avoid any accidents or injuries. We would like to tackle them right away (especially when using food and liquids). A Swiffer, along with refills, would be an ideal cleaning tool.

About my class

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