Past projects 30
Lights, Camera, TEACH!
Funded Aug 12, 2020Thank you so much for your generous donations. It means so much. I was able to get a webcam, laptop stand, and wireless keyboard and mouse. At first I tried to get a document camera but it wasn't available when it was time to order. To be honest it worked out for the best. I teach a hybrid class that has both students in class and online at the same time. The webcam has been the most useful item. The clarity of the webcam has made it easier for the students at home to view and follow along when I am teaching. Also it has allowed me to point the camera at the student in class to show the students what we are all together and no one feels left out.
The computer is on all day and with the webcam on, and 3 to 4 tabs open, and Microsoft office I noticed that the school issued laptop would start to get hot and slow down to a stutter or even shut down and cause issues for the at home kids. The stand has allowed for air to get to the computer and I haven't had an issue with slow down since.
Lastly the wireless keyboard and mouse is something that I can have all the student in class use to type their idea on our smartboard to share. (wiping down between each use, of course.) It has made an uneasy situation just a little bit easier.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Caro
This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 5 other donors.Engaging Science Readers
Funded May 24, 2020Thank you so very much for your donations.
I currently teach a hybrid class with kids in the room as well as online at the SAME TIME. Everyone is working from a computer and it can get tiring sometimes. The kids that are in class are actually excited to get a book in their hands and not have to stare at a screen. I feel terrible when I have to tell them to stop reading and complete their online assignments.
They are enjoying the graphic novels and learning interesting information as well. They often will share with each other the interesting facts they have learned or a cool picture from the books, which is getting other students excited to read them as well. I look forward to the day when ALL my student can return to class and read, enjoy and learn from the books that were donated.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Caro
This classroom project was brought to life by Florida Citrus Sports, LIFT Orlando, and Fun Spot and 5 other donors.Recess Time, but Nothing to Do!
Funded Feb 20, 2020Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! The students are enjoying the new equipment. Every day the students are exercising and learning how interact and play with each other correctly. Corn Hole has been a huge hit, especially with the student who normally are not that active at recess. I often have to duck due the the frisbee flying! I love seeing the student take the equipment out of the containers and put them away with care. From the entire 5th grade team and all of our students a heartfelt thank you!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Caro
This classroom project was brought to life by Florida Citrus Sports, LIFT Orlando, and Fun Spot and 7 other donors.Keeping Everything in One place
Funded Dec 29, 2019At first I thought it was going to be hard to come up with a long enough impact statement as this portable hard drive other than it has streamlined my lesson plans and information into one place. But something happened this past friday with my work computer that this hard drive was a blessing. For some reason my work computers fan wouldn't stop spinning and I couldn't open a application without the computer stuttering to a halt. Our IT person said that the computer had a virus and that he would have to wipe the computer and reinstall the operating system. He gave me to the afternoon to save any files I wanted before he wiped it. Luckily I had this hard drive and was able to back everything before he wiped it. 4 years worth of files would have been lost if I didn't have this hard drive.
So again thank you for giving the chance to keep everything in one place as well as save years worth of teaching in an emergency.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Caro
This classroom project was brought to life by Verizon and 3 other donors.Comfortable Leaners
Funded Sep 23, 2019Thank you for providing my students seat cushions to make learning more comfortable. Since the cushions have arrived, students are more focused and less likely to rock in their chairs get up and walk around. The students have even told me the chairs are so much softer now they don't mind staying seated. The fact that they are easily moved has allowed the student to place them on the ground to do group work or even take them outside and sit on the sidewalk with easy. They have taken ownership over the cushions and are talking great care of them.
Thank you so much!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Caro
This classroom project was brought to life by Florida Citrus Sports, LIFT Orlando, and Fun Spot and 3 other donors.Pro STEM Learners
Funded May 22, 2019Thank you for supporting my classroom with this great piece of technology.
Having 2 students new to the country they have been able to use this iPad and another I brought from home to work on learning english as well as using google translate to get the thoughts and feeling across.
We have started our STEM activities and the student love using the camera to record their experiments and then being able to share it with their parents through Classdojo.
Students have already come in early to work on educational programs and are excited to see what different ways we can incorporate this tech into our lessons.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Caro
This classroom project was brought to life by Google.org and 3 other donors.Stress Free 5th Grade
Funded Aug 23, 2019Even after having a few projects funded it still blows my mind the generosity of people. The students were so grateful for the new stress relievers. Learning 5th grade math can be very hard. Don't take my word for it here are some of my students comments.
"Math is super hard and I get stuck and mad. Instead of quitting I go to the calm corner and squeeze the stress things, and play with the magnets and when my time is up I go back and try it again."
"I don't like math. It's hard but having things to relax with makes it easier. but I still don't like math.
"The puzzle is fun to take my mind off of work for a little bit."
I have noticed students self regulate their emotions during class and it is allowing for better understanding and less conflicts in class.
Thank you so much”
With gratitude,
Mr. Caro
This classroom project was brought to life by Florida Citrus Sports, LIFT Orlando, and Fun Spot and 5 other donors.STEMing Our Potential
Funded Jan 28, 2019Thank you for your generous donations to help fill this dream for our classroom. The Surface Go is a big hit in class. While the students are used to working with computers they are truly enjoying completing assignments on the Surface go. Especially one student who doesn't like to work on computers for very long, As an incentive to stay focused in class they can "earn time" on the Surface Go to do programs like I-Ready that help them with their reading and math skills. The students also enjoy the ability to use it as a table and use their fingers instead of a mouse. They are very tactile learners, the tablet allows them this opportunity.
We have had to make a rotation schedule to make sure every student has the chance to use the Surface Go.
Thank you for giving me students and extra boost to be successful.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Caro
This classroom project was brought to life by Microsoft Corporation and 4 other donors.Sunshine Readers! Part 2
Funded Aug 18, 2018THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
The books have meant so much to the kids. As soon as they saw them I had a long list of kids asking to read them. Currently all the books are in students hands. They come everyday to talk about them and tell me their favorite part. (Which makes me what to read them too!) I have one students who has managed to finish 3 just this week! They are excited and thankful to have a class set of Sunshine State Books to call their own. My students are ready to earn their SSS dog tags for each book and other great prizes.
I know that this year we will all be able to vote for our favorite book as well as join the Sunshine Readers Party at the end of the year. As one of my students said, "It's pretty sweet that people got us these books."”
With gratitude,
Mr. Caro
Tech to Connect to the Future
Funded Mar 27, 2018Wow! where to start? The students were very excited at the thought of chromebooks that are all our. It great to see kids who don't always have access to tech come in early just so they can get a few extra minutes exploring the world. We are working on our Themed unit about the decades 1920 to 2000. Each week were are reading and discussing each decades most important events. they love goggling and search for information about each decade. The girls especially the clothing they wore. they were able to watch Elvis and The Beatles as well as other pop culture icons from each decade. It is funny to walk down the halls and hear a 5th grader singing "Jailhouse Rock" or "Sherry".
also as part of our unit they have to write poems about each decade. I had to setup a schedule to give each student a chance to type their poem. I have printed some of the examples and the looks on their face to see their poems displayed. Here are just a few example of what they have been able to create.
Pearl Harbor smells like smoke and burnt houses
It tastes like spoiled milk it
sounds like a huge bomb went out of control
It looks like people suffering and dying from war
Pearl harbor feels like an unsafe place.
Here I am in the dark
Making shelter out of bark
Standing here sleepy and dirty,
What a nightmare, 1930's
Houses are taken,
Streets become home
Bankruptcy
Too many loans.
thank you for allowing my students an outlet to learn and express themselves. I know we will continue to learn and grow from your gift.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Caro
This classroom project was brought to life by Ripple.