Past projects 5
Teaching English Language Learners How to Read in the Bronx!
Funded Jan 19, 2024My students love having the option of new books. They've shown huge improvement in reading now that they have access to resources that could be matched to their individual reading level and needs.
My English language learning students have shown huge succeed with high frequency readers allowing them to become independent readers, learn new vocabulary, and learn sight words to help them read with fluency.
I plan to continue to use the resources to help students with speaking, reading, and writing in English. The added benefit of having access to black and white coloring book versions of the readers helps keep students interested in the books long after direct reading instruction!
Thank you for being joy to my very energetic kindergarten readers!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Novak
This classroom project was brought to life by Someone who cares about New York City and one other donor.Keeping Safe in Kindergarten!
Funded Sep 20, 2022Since schools reopened and masks became optional, the flu, covid, RSV, stomach bugs, and pink eye have been spreading rampantly in schools and communities. Your generous gift of seat sacks has helped prevent illness in my classroom. Before receiving the seat sacks, class supplies, books, notebooks, etc. were stored communally. Because students touched supplies all over the classroom, illnesses were able to spread quickly. At one point, half of the class was out sick at once. Since switching to seat sacks, where each student stores and has access to only their school supplies, there has been improved attendance and a reduction of illness in the classroom.
The seat sacks make transitioning from one lesson to another easier and quicker. Students are responsible for cleaning up their own school supplies and storing them at their seat, reducing the amount of time it takes to clean up from one activity and transition into another.
Seat sacks have helped brighten up our classroom by adding bright blue and red to the chairs, made clean-up and transitions easier, and have helped reduce the spread of illness. This seemingly small donation made a HUGE difference to my students! You've helped keep them healthy, allowing them to receive a continuous education with little disruption from illness and class closures. Thank you for your kindness and support!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Novak
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 3 other donors.Picture This: Learning English With the Support of Visuals!
Funded Dec 14, 2018Your donation has helped our class in so many ways! Initially, I was going to use it to create literacy centers, but I have also used it for vocabulary support in guided reading, math, worksheets, homework, and in anchor charts.
The Huion allows me to draw and add color to literacy based games, worksheets, homework, and centers. The kids can relate to the images, as I work with them to create the games and centers. Oftentimes, it is an image they describe to me. I create the images with them in class. They are amazed to see the image appear on the computer and/or SMART board. I then save the image and print so that they can refer back when reading and writing.
When I plan guided reading lesson plans for the week, I create vocabulary cards for words I know they might struggle with. When I introduce the word prior to reading, the colorful picture and introduction to the word gives them the prior knowledge that they need to successfully decode and read emergent texts. It sets them up for success and gives them confidence when reading.
Your donation has helped make teaching easier and helped my students grasp vocabulary through images. I can take already created images and add to them/edit, I can create new images, and I can create new resources for my class.
You have done so much for my students. I thank you from the bottom of my heart!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Novak
Student-Centered Farm-to-Table Healthy Eating in Kindergarten
Funded Sep 9, 2016When we first received the Aerogarden, I informed the class that an anonymous donor and Target bought it for us to learn about plants, grow plants, and eat the plants. The students were excited! They have maintained the plants since Day 1. They monitor growth daily during Science, they remember to look at the Aerogarden each day to monitor the water level and when to add more nutrients and water, and they voted on what we could use the herbs for. Students write about the plants daily (to integrate Science with literacy), we read about plants (integrating reading), we measure growth (integrating math), and we research healthy ways of eating what we grow (integrating nutrition).
When the plants were ready to be harvested, we voted on what to make. We documented the recipe (kid friendly) on chart paper, made the recipe together (implementing math counting strategies), and tasted the result. Students were not forced to try the food, but given the option to. Even though the students knew onions, tomatoes, garlic, and cilantro were going into the salsa (and they said "ew" to each ingredient as it was being added to the recipe), all 28 were brave enough to take at least one bite. We then documented who liked the salsa and who did not. Out of 28 students, 26 decided that they liked the salsa. The students ate all of the salsa made in class! We learned why it was healthier than jarred salsa; learned that with adult help, they could have a healthy snack in 15 minutes; and wrote about it. Parents were encouraged to reproduce the recipe, with their child, at home over the weekend. Students were given the responsibility to make sure that their parent stirred it 10 times with each ingredient added (again, integrating math into the project and helping students practice counting to 10 for the upcoming chapter test).
We also made tzatziki sauce. I called it Greek Yogurt dip, because the students had difficulty saying tzatziki! We mixed cucumber, dill, garlic, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and a bit of salt (stirring ten times as each ingredient was added). Students ate the dip with pita bread and/or carrots. 27 out of 28 students liked the dip. They learned why it was healthier than buying dip in a jar. Students learned to eat healthier, using fresh ingredients in their diets.
My classroom is diverse, with students of Dominican, Puerto Rican, Bangladeshi, Yemeni, and Caribbean ancestry. They were not familiar with the ingredients (except for cilantro) and were eager to try new foods. They have begun developing a love for fresh ingredients and healthy eating. We have already begun planning for the next recipes. We will be eating bruschetta on toast (to use the basil we grew), and use the parsley in a pasta dish made with veggies in an electric skillet. Both the students and parents are beginning to learn how to make healthier versions of food for their children. They are exposing their children to new foods. My students are learning to appreciate the hard work that goes into growing herbs, finding healthy ways to eat the foods we grow, and keeping an open mind to trying new foods. They are slowly starting to develop healthier eating habits, becoming open to trying new exciting foods, and eager to plant food in spring using the sun as a source of energy (as opposed to the Aerogarden). They have learned that during winter months in New York, growing plants outdoors is not always realistic so the Aerogarden is a good alternative to having fresh herbs on hand. Farm-to-table eating is available even in the city! They view themselves as urban farmers who can find ways to grow food in different ways (using the Aerogarden and the traditional way). Parents are also very interested in the progress of the plants and food in the class. Parents have shown an interest in buying an Aerogarden for use in the home. This project will definitely have an impact on both the students and their families. We are very appreciative of this opportunity. Thank you for believing in us and donating!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Novak
This classroom project was brought to life by Target and 2 other donors.Kindergarten Carpet
Funded Aug 26, 2014I cannot begin to express my gratitude for the carpet. The students love it. The look on their faces when they walked in and saw it was priceless. They were so excited! It brightened up our classroom and made the students feel special.
They each have their own designated spot on the carpet with plenty of room to be comfortable. We spend tons of time on the carpet. We start our day on the carpet for morning routing, sit on the carpet for read alouds, and sit on the perimeter for math projects. The carpet is not only a spot where we can sit together to learn but it makes our classroom colorful and kinder friendly.
After my students received the carpet, behavior on the carpet became easier to manage. Before the carpet, they were crammed on a boring solid blue rug that was too small for 30 students. They would fidget, accidentally bump into each other, and fool around. After the carpet was placed, I saw an immediate change. They were unable to move around easily, keep their hands to themselves, and focus on what was being taught.
My class is very grateful for the gift. The kids are quite proud of our large colorful carpet!
Thank you for your incredibly generous gift. It will be cared for and used for years to come!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Novak