Ms. Backman's Classroom Edit display name

Past projects 78

• Standing Up Makes Me Think Better!

  Funded Dec 13, 2015

  Thank you so much for your wonderful gift of the standing desk. I was thrilled when it arrived! I actually turned assembly of the desk into an engineering project. My students helped me read the assembly directions and build the desk. They loved using tools to twist in the screws! You could tell how proud they were to help build something.

  The desk is being used by one particular student. I have noticed her focus improve in just a few short days. While she listens or is doing work she stands and swings her foot on the swing bar. She can move without disturbing those around her.

  Thank you so much for your donation! My student is in awe that people wanted to provide her with a tool to help her learn.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Backman

  This classroom project was brought to life by Google.org and 6 other donors.

• PE and Recess are More Fun with Equipment

  Funded Dec 25, 2015

  Thank you so much for your generous donation to my class! My students LOVE the new equipment! You provided several different kinds of balls and three of each kind. Since there are so many balls my students haven't had to fight over anything! They have become so much more active during recess. Instead of wandering around they are kicking, throwing, and running. This helps them to be much more focused during class. I am also able to provide them a well rounded PE education. It is much easier to teach them how to play a game when you actually have the proper equipment.

  Again, thank you so much! I hope that you can see my students' appreciation in the pictures.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Backman

• Artistic Expression in First Grade

  Funded Dec 2, 2015

  Thank you so much for your very generous donation to my class! My students LOVE the new art supplies. As you can see from the pictures, we have already done the sun catchers. The kids loved making them! They keep begging to take them home to show their parents, but I love looking at them hanging on our windows. I keep telling them they can take them home in a couple weeks. The office asked if they could borrow a couple to hang in the front windows of the school. I love walking in a seeing my students' art.

  On Friday we started the sand art project. Only a few students have started. It was amazing to see the concentration on their little 6 year old faces! They are so intent on their art!

  Again, thank you SO much for providing such a wonderful opportunity for my students. A student on Friday said to me, "Wow! The people who gave these to us are the nicest people in the world!" I couldn't agree more! Thank you!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Backman

• We Need Basic Supplies

  Funded Dec 1, 2015

  Thank you so much for your very generous donation to my class! We really needed these supplies! We were almost out of pencils. My students kept looking for pencils with erasers left on the top but none were to be found. They were also incredibly excited to see the new scissors. My old scissors were purchased when the school was opened in 1990. They showed their wear and were very dull. Cutting yarn was out of the question!

  You gift also provided us with Wipe and Write 120 Boards. My students need a lot of practice writing their numbers all the way to 120. That practice can take a lot of paper! These boards provide a grid so that the students have structure to write their numbers. The other side of the board is a chart with the numbers written all the way to 120. This allows students to look for number patterns. This will be very helpful in improving their math skills.

  Thank you so much for your kind generosity! I saw that you supported many projects at our school. We are so astounded by your generosity. You old a special place in our hearts! Our students think that you are amazing!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Backman

• Wiggle while You Work!

  Funded Nov 25, 2015

  Thank you so much for your donation to my class! We received the 4 Hokki Stools last week and we are already putting them to good use! I am currently having some of my wiggliest students using the stools. I have noticed that they are paying attention much more instead of messing with things in their desks. I am also having a student use a stool who has a very hard time paying attention. Most of the time he is totally zoned out during class. He has that blank stare. I have noticed that the Hokki Stool helps him to be more focused. I have instructed him to keep rocking back and forth. The movement seems to help his brain focus on the lesson.

  Again, thank you so much for your wonderful donation! I have noticed a huge difference in my class in only a couple days! I am going to put more Hokki Stools on DonorsChoose with the hope that one day I will have a class set! Thank you so much!!!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Backman

• Teacher! It's Tangled Up Again!

  Funded Dec 1, 2015

  Thank you so much for your generous donation to my class! Yesterday the headphones have arrived and we have already put them to use! We are now able to use them with our iPads and computers. The students love them! The headphones you helped purchase are MUCH stronger than our old headphones. The old headphones broke very frequently! (First graders are tough on headphones!) I know that these quality headphones will be able to hold up with first graders for many years to come!

  The headphones are specially made so that the cords won't tangle together. Students frequently interrupt my small reading groups to ask me to untangle the cords. I don't have time for that! Your gift will allow me to focus on my small groups instead of untangling cords.

  This is not the first time you have donated to my class, you have helped many times before. Thank you so much for your commitment to education. I appreciate what you do so much. You have made a BIG impact on my classes in the past and my future classes.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Backman

  This classroom project was brought to life by Google.org and 2 other donors.

• Using Familiar Technology in a New Way

  Funded Nov 10, 2015

  Thank you so much for your generous donation to my class! My students adore the Osmo's. I love how I can use them with the iPads that are in my classroom. It lets the children use the iPads but also manipulate objects to strengthen their skills. My students have been improving their spatial skills, math, reading, spelling, and hand-eye coordination. They ask me every single day if they can use the Osmo's. They are learning so much and they don't even realize it!

  Thank you so much for taking an interest in my students and in public education!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Backman

  This classroom project was brought to life by NEA Foundation and 2 other donors.

• Taking the iPad to a Whole New Level!

  Funded Sep 16, 2015

  Thank you so much for your generous donation to my class! My students ADORE the Osmo Gaming Systems! They love spelling words and racing against the other player! I have never seen them so excited to practice spelling before!

  The Osmo's also allow my students to practice their hand-eye coordination when they use the drawing app and the tangram app. While these games initially seem simple, they are actually challenging for all students, even my students who usually find everything easy! I love that students are challenge and improving all of their academic areas.

  Thank you so much for helping my class. They really appreciate your support!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Backman

• STEM Fun in First Grade

  Funded Jun 18, 2015

  Thank you so much for your generous donation to my class! My students have absolutely loved using the STEM kits. I love watching them work in groups to solve the problems that are presented to them. They are not only learning about STEM, but also how to work together in a group.

  The activities that came in the kit are Parachute to Safety, Keep the Rain Out, and Stay Afloat. My students adore the fact that 2 of the activities involve water! It is so nice that my students are able to really get involved with engineering instead of just reading about it in a book!

  Again, thank you so much! My students were amazed that people that didn't even know them took the time to give them such a special gift!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Backman

• Rekenreks--The New Math Tool!

  Funded Aug 20, 2015

  Thank you so much for your generous gift to my class! My students LOVE the rekenreks! We have used them many times since they arrived at school. The rekenreks are really helping my students with their number sense. They are able to understand numbers much more than before.

  We have used the rekenreks for addition and subtraction also! In the past I have used counters for students who struggle with addition and subtraction. Counters were always getting lost and falling on the floor. The rekenreks allow the students to manipulate the beads without losing them or having them fall on the floor. It is much better for all of us!

  Thank you so much for providing my class with these very valuable and helpful resources!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Backman