Past projects 4
Let's Kick Some Assessments!
Funded Nov 7, 2019Thank you for your generous contributions to this classroom project. As mentioned in the description when you donated, the primary focus of this project was to purchase supplies to help prepare students for the rigorous IB exams they will take at the end of their senior year. The IB program gives students the opportunity to earn college credit in various subjects. In our History of the Americas class, students prepare for these exams by studying various U.S. and world history topics.
Students were thrilled to get their own personal note pads for essay writing. Practicing the process now allows them to focus on the content of the exam. Students will go into IB exams knowing the expectations and having practiced the strategy of test taking under the same condition. It may not sound like much, but this is a big step for setting students up for success.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Durrett
This classroom project was brought to life by An anonymous classroom supporter and 8 other donors.Save Our School's History
Funded Aug 14, 2019Thank you for your generous donations to our project. Materials from this project will help us preserve our school's history for classes and generations to come. For this project we requested several materials, with a computer and fine paper being two highlights. Years ago we applied for and received a historic preservation grant to strengthen our ability to care for our historic documents and artifacts. Through that grant we purchases industry leading software to help document and catalog the collection of materials. One necessary part that we were lacking, however, was a computer to run the software on. Through this Donors Choose project, our students have begun operating this software and cataloging parts of the collection. This may seem like a mundane task, and it can be painstaking to operate, but doing this allows us to care for the collection and get to a place where we can start fulfilling the next part of our mission: sharing the story.
Now that the collection is able to get better organized, students have begun installing display cases around the school. Our goal is to create a museum in the school's front lobby. Purchasing materials like the fine paper allows us to display exhibits in a professional manner, with professional materials. Our students are especially excited to share the school's history in this way. Thank you again for your donation, and know that it will go a long way to fulfilling our mission to preserve and share our school's history for all stakeholders.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Durrett
This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 7 other donors.Help Our Scholars Achieve Greatness!
Funded Dec 22, 2018Thank you so much for your generous contributions to our Donors Choose project! Our students used materials ordered for a project we call the "Econ Mall". In Econ Mall, scholars run a business during their regular Economics class period with the rest of the school student body and staff as potential consumers. Economics scholars must develop a business plan, conduct market research, and create a demand schedule to determine their prices.
Scholars can show off their skills and creativity in developing businesses. This year we had businesses selling goods and services that ranged from food items to handmade jewelry to arcades and DJs. Scholars used materials from this Donors Choose order to create advertising and signs for their businesses. They were very excited to work on this project, and materials from this order went a long way to make this happen.
Our scholars love Econ Mall because it gives them a chance to run a business they like and make money at the same time. To do this, they must apply what they have learned in class, concepts such as supply and demand, business organizations, and market structures. Next we will debrief the events of Econ Mall with classroom discussion and a reflection paper. Later in the year we will discuss macro economics, and how businesses fit into the scope of the larger national and world picture.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Durrett
This classroom project was brought to life by Someone Who Cares and 12 other donors.Supply and Demand More for Our Classroom!
Funded Nov 24, 2017Thank you so much for your generous donation, contributing to providing supplies for our classroom. Using these supplies, one project we undertook was an Econ Mall where students planned, created, and executed businesses for a class period where we were open to the rest of the school. We saw a variety of businesses including those that sold food, music, and ping pong games. Each group had to create a business plan, conduct market research, and advertise for their business. The supplies that you helped contribute to our class allowed our students to complete all of these tasks. This was the most successful project that I have run to date. The students had a lot of fun with this project and assessments showed that they understood the economic concepts we practiced! Your contributions helped make this happen.
Students are always asking, "Mr. Durrett, do you have a ruler? Markers? Poster board?" Until now, the answer has usually been "no, sorry!" As a new teacher, I am learning the ins and outs of acquiring supplies and knowing what students will want on a day to day basis. This shipment of supplies has not only boosted my supply level on a practical level; it has also given me confidence and experience in working with these young learners.
Our next project will have students creating proposals to Congress, news stories, and other mock reports based on macro economic concepts. Students will begin exploring the government's role in economics, the concepts of money and inflation, and international trade. Again, these supplies will help students with the basic tools they need to create presentations. Thank you so much for your generous contributions!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Durrett