Past projects 40
Storyworks to Teach Us How Stories Work!
Funded Sep 6, 2020Thank you so much for funding this incredibly important project for my 5th grade classroom. We are a workshop model school, and a large part of our philosophy toward developing a love of reading is to provide students with choice. Distance learning has greatly hindered my ability to connect students with books from our classroom library. It has impacted my ability to confer with students about the texts they are reading and to have opportunities for spontaneous, meaningful conferences.
Storyworks is a very valuable resource for us. It provides students with opportunities to engage with high-quality texts across content areas and genres. It then sets them up to have small groups conversations about a shared text. In addition, I am able to see students thinking and provide targeted instruction.
During a time when so much has been unpredictable for so long for my learners, this resource allows them to engage with high-interest texts and to share their ideas when traditional books are no longer available to them. So far we have explored a large number of fiction texts as well as non-fiction texts about science and history. We look forward to continuing to use these resources throughout the school year.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Minas
Establishing Empathy and Social Awareness Through Read Alouds
Funded Oct 3, 2020Thank you so much for your generous contributions in support of our classroom! Distance learning presents numerous challenges, one of which is connecting students to high-interest books from our classroom. This project gave us great books to read aloud together using our class document camera.
In addition, each child received a physical copy of The One and Only Ivan to follow along as we read this story together. Having access to the book at home, allows the students to form strong ideas about the characters and identify lessons from the story. This is a powerful story about compassion and the treatment of animals. It ties direction to social issue projects that the students have been working on.
During a time of uncertainty, read alouds have become crucial to establishing community as a class. These resources have been so helpful in these efforts.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Minas
This classroom project was brought to life by Chevron and 4 other donors.Dissecting Owl Pellets During Distance Learning
Funded Sep 7, 2020Thank you so much for your generosity in support of this project. I am so excited to give students the resources from this project so that they can have the opportunity to dissect an owl pellet. I remember conducting this same experiment in middle school and how it solidified my understanding of the relationship between predator and prey. This project will help connect all of my students with hands-on scientific learning from their homes.
The opportunity to dissect owl pellets will allow students to pose their own questions and engage in collaborative problem solving. It is my hope this experience will foster a true appreciation for science.
Dissecting owl pellets will be an unforgettable experience for my fifth graders. It is my hope that when they have all the materials in front of them, families will work together to talk about and explore science together! This will encourage them to reimagine their relationships with science and as scientists.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Minas
This classroom project was brought to life by IF/THEN, an initiative of Lyda Hill Philanthropies and 2 other donors.Fostering Gratitude and Positive Thinking During a Pandemic
Funded Aug 17, 2020Thank you for your immense generosity in support of my 5th grade class. Students have picked up their school materials including their Gratitude Journals and they are so excited to begin using them.
With all that is going on in the world and our country, having a place to focus our thinking on the positive helps improve our individual mindsets and shift our thinking. The practice of writing in a Gratitude Journal greatly improved my own mood and disposition during COVID and I am delighted to bring this practice to my students.
Thank you for contributions in support of social and emotional learning for our young learners!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Minas
This classroom project was brought to life by Kleenex® Brand and 3 other donors.An Incredible Trip to a Truly Gentle Barn
Funded Dec 4, 2019Last spring my students were preparing to attend a field trip to the Gentle Barn before COVID hit. With lots of rapid changes and so much uncertainty, we cancelled our trip not knowing if/when we would be able to reschedule it for. Luckily, the Gentle Barn responded quickly and accommodated us for a Virtual Field Trip. This was an incredible experience for all of us while we followed strict stay at home orders. Students and their families were able to connect with animals that have been rescued and are now living at this beautiful animal sanctuary. The founders of the Gentle Barn led us around their facilities and told us the stories of strength and trust that represented the life of each animal.
When you made your contribution in support of our classroom's participation on this trip, there is no way we could have anticipated the circumstances we would be faced with. Having had the opportunity to participate in this experience was thanks to your generosity and kindness.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Minas
This classroom project was brought to life by An anonymous classroom supporter and 10 other donors.5th Graders Designing Their Dream Playgrounds
Funded Jan 30, 2020Thank you for your incredibly generous contributions in support of our fifth grade class. Students were ecstatic to have the opportunity to construct their dream playgrounds. They experienced firsthand the struggles engineers and scientists face developing and then building structures. Each student encountered obstacles and gained a deeper appreciation for the role of scientists and engineers. This valuable experience was made possible by your most thoughtful donations.
Building dream playgrounds allowed students to envision a project and see it through to completion. Having this hands-on experience sparked a love of building and curiosity in students as they became immersed in the task. Thank you for this unbelievable opportunity to delve into this fantastic project.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Minas
This classroom project was brought to life by An anonymous classroom supporter and 6 other donors.Spectacular Science Camp Experience
Funded Dec 17, 2019Thank you so much for supporting this project for our 4th and 5th graders to go to camp this year. We just returned from our trip to Running Springs, and the children are having so much fun engaging in hands on learning in nature. Not to mention the new friendships they are forming on this one of a kind trip!
Students have participated in a wide variety of activities, from hiking to archery and even learning how to investigate a crime scene. Our fourth and fifth graders have been given an opportunity to push themselves out of their comfort zones and immerse themselves in these fantastic science learning experiences.
This trip is so important, not only to academic learning, but also to the development of the whole child. We are grateful for your support on this project - it will be remembered for years to come!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Minas
Help Students Find Their Goldilocks "Just-Right" Seating
Funded Nov 22, 2019Thank you so very much for your generous support of our project that provides flexible seating options within our fifth grade classroom. The addition of our area rug and standing desk options have been fantastic seating options for our learners. These choices are integral to fostering inclusion for all learners.
My students are working hard to do their best work, flexible seating empowers them to make choices that work for them! These great items have made a huge impact in our classroom. The rug adds an element of color and comfort beneath our coffee table. The standing desks meet the needs of my kinesthetic learners who prefer to remain standing and moving during independent work.
We are so grateful for your contributions in support of our classroom learning environment and students.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Minas
#ISeeMe Help Connect 5th Graders with High-Quality Non-Fiction Digital Books
Funded Sep 28, 2019We are absolutely delighted and humbled to receive our digital subscription to TrueFlix. Thanks to a phenomenal community of donors, this project went from barely to fully funded in less than 24 hours!
Our fifth grade students are already deeply engaged and immersed in non-fiction reading using this invaluable resource. In addition to reading the texts, they are exploring videos and related activities to further their understanding about a number of different topics.
Thanks to your generosity, they now have access to high-interest history and science non-fiction texts at school and at home. My students have described with great enthusiasm the texts they have read, ranging from the BP Oil Spill to Simple Machines. They are so happy to be able to read texts that directly connect to their own interests and curiosities.
Thank you once again for your contribution in support of this project!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Minas
This classroom project was brought to life by District Partnership Program and 32 other donors.5th Graders Seeking Strong Organizational Skills!
Funded Sep 17, 2019As our fifth graders have embarked on their last year of elementary school they are working on developing fundamental organizational and time management skills. The transition to middle school will be a big shift for many of our learners. Thanks to your generous contributions, access to daily planners will help prepare them with the skills they need to navigate their middle school experience.
Students were elated to receive their planners. They are using them to organize daily schedules and establish long-term goals. Some students are opting to use their planners to track academic and personal events and reminders. There has already been a huge shift in student accountability as they use their daily agendas to build planning and organizational skills.
The label maker has been a great addition to organizing supplies within our classroom. Clear, consistent labels allow us to maintain an organized classroom environment. This also empowers students to find the materials they need and to take initiative when it comes to cleaning up and putting materials away neatly.
With your support we are able to take some great steps toward preparing our learners for middle school and beyond!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Minas