Past projects 3
21st Century Classroom Books for 21st Century Students!
Funded Apr 11, 2023Thank you so much for your donation! "Flora and Ulysses" has already become a favorite book to students. I was so happy to have taught this novel during summer academy! This academy is not remedial, but rather of an enrichment nature. These students were eager for Book Club every day! They were fascinated by the plot of the story---a superhero squirrel and a 11 year old "cynic" whose mother is slightly the antagonist?! Only Kate DiCamilo could possibly create a brilliant novel with such an interesting premise.
We studied the elements of a story, we made posters for our predictions, we had rich discussions about character traits (and character changes due to various events), and we practiced our inference skills. I called it "Book Club" but I really was introducing my third grade students to a novel study. Part of the fourth grade curriculum is a novel study...I was able to get them ready for it!
We gathered on the rug each afternoon this summer to read. By the end of the summer, the students were leading the reading and discussions...truly magical moments. Because of this donation, each student was able to hold their own copy of the book in their hand. They treated them so gently and with such appreciation. Flora and Ulysses made summer school especially special this year!
Once again, thank you so much! You helped my 21 summer school friends grow as readers and as lovers of reading!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Flannigan
Tools for Writing
Funded Mar 4, 2018Thank you immensely for helping the fifth grade writers out at our school! We were in such need for a functioning pencil sharpener and highlighters to guide our edits and revisions. We use the pencil sharper daily for sharp pencils! As a student told me, "A dull pencil makes dull writing!" No more dull pencils in Room 110! We needed sharp pencils and the highlighters heavily for our MCAS preparation. We were writing pages of writing each day leading up to the MCAS assessments.
When the fifth grade students saw our new pencil sharpener they were ecstatic! We no longer need to use the pencil sharper that takes "forever" and sometimes breaks pencils entirely. We have only one student designated to sharpen pencils to ensure that this great one lasts for a long time! As for the highlighters, the students are extremely responsible to ensuring that the caps are placed on tightly, so they do not dry out.
We will continue to use these writing tools for all of our writing tasks. We are currently completing two end of the year activities, a Wax Museum biography project and various STEM research projects. The projects require a great deal of writing and organizing information. Our pencils need to be sharp and our highlighters handy to complete our very best work.
The fifth grade students in years to come are very fortunate to be able to start their years with great materials. I know that my current fifth grade students are so incredibly thankful for the donations!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Flannigan
Wanted: Books! Books! Books!
Funded Feb 16, 2018My fifth graders and I cannot thank you enough for this incredible gift of books! Students have been loving each and every title and forming informal book clubs with friends reading the same books. They are so excited to be able to hold new books in their hands! The topic and themes are captivating and the students ask for more independent reading in the day!
The books purchased have created text sets for topics covered in the fifth grade curriculum. Titles on inventions, the Civil Rights Movement and Women in history are contributed greatly to our units. Students are able to get new and exciting content from the recent, up-to-date selections.
Promoting a love for reading is consistently a difficult task. It is even more difficult when books in the classroom "library" are of little interest to the students. As a public school teacher in a low-income community, I must build my own library for my students. It is unfortunate that students do not have the opportunity to fall in love with reading because interesting titles are not readily available to them.
As for using these books for the remainder of the year, students are required to complete a Wax Museum biography project. Many books were donated that highlight one (or 50) powerful individuals in the world, that made a positive impact. The students and myself are so excited for this task!!
Again, thank you for your donations! I know my students appreciate these items so very much!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Flannigan