Past projects 24
Chromebook Kids
Funded Jan 17, 2017I wanted to thank each of you for helping fund our Chromebooks project. I was extremely humbled by your generosity. What was especially gratifying was explaining to my students that a majority of my personal friends help fund this project. My students were amazed when I told them that you essentially gifted the computers to them. "We never met them and they gave us money?" asked one student. To which I said, "Yes!"
I know these Chromebooks are a success because I never have to force a child to use them. Rather, they constantly ask when they can use them. I cycle through a few websites each day, without depending on a once-a-week visit to the computer lab. They have became a regular part of our classroom schedule and daily use. Sites we use consistently are: 1) xtramath.org 2) readtheory.org 3) scootpad.com 4) ixl.com 5) typing.com 6) Renaissance Learning and many of 7) Google Apps. Easy access to Internet research is such a welcomed addition to our classroom. Finally, using the Chromebooks have become an integral part in our writing process as students are gaining greater insight into proper word processing.
Integrating code.org as a part of STEM activities has been extremely engaging and positive for my students' academic growth and buy-in.
All of my students have benefited and will continue to benefit from these laptops for the remainder of the year. Many of these sites customize learning to their individual levels which helps meet each student's distinct academic needs. For that, I'm so thankful to you.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Ekk
This classroom project was brought to life by Google.org and one other donor.Digital Learners Take to the Net
Funded Oct 18, 2016I wanted to thank each of you for helping fund our Chromebooks project. I was extremely humbled by your generosity. What was especially gratifying was explaining to my students that a majority of my personal friends help fund this project. My students were amazed when I told them that you essentially gifted the computers to them. "We never met them and they gave us money?" asked one student. To which I said, "Yes!"
I know these Chromebooks are a success because I never have to force a child to use them. Rather, they constantly ask when they can use them. I cycle through a few websites each day, without depending on a once-a-week visit to the computer lab. They have became a regular part of our classroom schedule and daily use. Sites we use consistently are: 1) xtramath.org 2) readtheory.org 3) scootpad.com 4) ixl.com 5) typing.com 6) Renaissance Learning and many of 7) Google Apps. Easy access to Internet research is such a welcomed addition to our classroom. Finally, using the Chromebooks have become an integral part in our writing process as students are gaining greater insight into proper word processing.
All of my students have benefited and will continue to benefit from these laptops for the remainder of the year. Many of these sites customize learning to their individual levels which helps meet each student's distinct academic needs. For that, I'm so thankful to you.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Ekk
A Chalk-Off Homerun: Mr. White Board Wins It!
Funded Jan 12, 2012I can't tell you how thankful I am to all of you for helping out my classroom. The last couple of years had been very annoying with the chalkboard. Because the chalk dust had become such a nuisance, I limited the usage of the chalkboard to slim and none. It was hardly used my first year in the classroom and not at all last year where I completely covered the board and turned it into a bulletin board.
We use the whiteboard every day. I enjoy the extra space to place charts since it's magnetized. The students enjoy it because they get to showoff their learning, and face it, who doesn't like going up to the board? When the whiteboard arrived, the students couldn't wait for me to mount it. They asked daily when it would go up. I wish you could have seen all their reactions the morning they walked into the room and noticed it was firmly mounted. You helped spark excitement in our room!
Thanks again for helping modernize my classroom. It was long overdue and each of you played a vital part in sprucing up the room. Thirty-five thanks to you all!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Ekk
A Printer for 35 Publishers
Funded Jan 20, 2012Thank you so much for the printer/copier. The printer that needed replacing has been sitting in my closet for three years (still there!). I was never able to use it. In the meantime, I was using my own printer, but thought that was one piece of hardware that would immediately benefit the class and my students. It certainly has.
Thank you, because the students are able to print what they need from the Internet. It's a basic must-have in the classroom. Our computer is definitely dated, but at least they can get printed content from the web.
It also provides a place for my students to publish their writing on a word processing program like Word. This was the main reason to get our room a printer.
Finally, it can't be emphasized enough how useful it is to be able to copy something quickly within the classroom. I'm not sure how I managed before this printer. My fear is that one day it too will succumb to rigors of the classroom. It has been such a benefit to the kids.
I attached a lesson I drew up quickly in the photos which I printed from this printer because the main copier was down. It's a introductory lesson on conceptually understanding the part-to-whole aspect of fractions using pattern blocks. It's my way of saying thanks through student evidence!
I really am truly grateful, but more importantly, my classroom is all the better for it! ”
With gratitude,
Mr. Ekk
This classroom project was brought to life by Wasserman Foundation and 5 other donors.