Past projects 14
New Materials... New Adventures!
Funded May 18, 2023It's really nice to see that so many people believe in my students and continually want them to achieve more! When we got our new materials we started using them right away. We used Lincoln Logs to build different types of homes. I was able to teach students about chain reactions with the dominos and the marble maze sets.
When my students saw the new centers they thought it was a joke. They were looking for their usual STEAM centers, but quickly were able to use their curiosity to explore. Most importantly... they had a blast!
We are grateful we received these materials towards the end of the school year because we were able to explore them. Next year, we will be doing all sorts of challenges! So get ready to see what we can build.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Greco
This classroom project was brought to life by SONIC Foundation and 9 other donors.Full STEAM Ahead...
Funded Nov 12, 2022Have you ever built a tower for Rapunzel? Designed a way to catch a turkey? Figured out a way to help Three Bild Mice? or worked with Mouse to save Lion? Well... you may have not but my students can now say that they have! Since receiving our new materials we have been building non-stop. We have been able to read nursery rhymes fairy tales, and fables to identify problems and develop solutions to them. We have also been developing our teamwork skills by working towards a common goal.
When my students walked into the classroom and saw all the new bins of materials it was hard to keep them on track! They were so excited to see what was inside all the new bins they didn't want to sit and wait for me to tell them how they magically showed up at our school. One student even said, "Mr. Greco did you win the lottery? That's a lot of stuff, you need a lot of money for that."
So what's next for us? Who knows... with these building materials there are endless possibilities. Maybe our little hands can figure out a way to change the world! Thank you for your generosity and for believing in me and most importantly my students.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Greco
We've Got the "Write Stuff"!
Funded Apr 19, 2017This project was really special to my students. This project allowed the students to have the proper materials to complete the writing process and be an author or an editor. They have gained a new respect for the art of writing.
As a classroom community, we unboxed the materials together. The energy in the air was high!!! as I pulled out each material, the students were screaming! It got so loud that the teacher next door came by to see what we were doing. This experience is absolutely one my students will remember forever.
Thank you for being part of shaping my students' success as well as helping me make an impact in their academic and social-emotional lives. One student evens said, "Wow Mr. Greco... These people don't even know us and they care about us."”
With gratitude,
Mr. Greco
A Code-a-Pillar STEM Jungle (Part 2)
Funded May 26, 2017WOW! WOW! WOW! I can't even believe the learning experiences that have been created in our class. The students have utilized items found in the classroom to build obstacle courses then used the commands of the code-a-pillar to reach the end of the obstacle course. The teamwork, and discussion, and application of skills has transformed our program!
When the students first saw the materials they laughed because they thought it was just a toy however when the students saw the possibilities, they really became engaged. Even our more hesitant students wanted in on all the learning (and fun). Next time we do this we are going to research ramps and bridges. We will then use that in our obstacle courses. So get ready for all the exciting things to come!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Greco
This classroom project was brought to life by H&M and 2 other donors.A Code-a-Pillar STEM Jungle
Funded Mar 30, 2017There are many priceless moments we as teachers are lucky to experience in our career. Many of my colleagues would agree the one that is the most exciting to witness is the moment a child has an "ah-ha" and makes a realization about them self or the world. The Code-a-pillar project was able to do that for my students. It provided my students an outlet to express what they have been taught in a practical way. Computer coding is no longer something that "rich people" can do. It's now attainable to all of my students.
I can't begin to thank you for your generous donations. My students are now eager to come to my class and work on their projects and are excited about what will happen next. Thanking you work working with me to make this experience possible.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Greco
This classroom project was brought to life by Aspect Ventures and one other donor.Apple TV So We Can All See!
Funded May 31, 2016My students and I can not express how excited we are to have this great tool to share our work. At first you may think what would a school have a need for an Apple TV? My answer is... the possibilities are endless. This apple TV has allowed my students to share their work with their peers, allowed them to demonstrate their prior knowledge, and has allowed them to take charge of "their computer lab!" We haven't even begun to explore the apps that can be downloaded to the Apple TV. This small piece of technology has made a great impact and I can only thank you for that!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Greco
This classroom project was brought to life by Orkin and 4 other donors.Cozy Classroom Carpet for Learning in the Computer Lab!
Funded Oct 26, 2016I just wanted to let you know that we LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE the rug! It not only matches our room it provides a spaces for all the children in the class to sit. The students loving being called by their color to go back to their workstations and enjoy the calming colors. It was so exciting to see their faces as they walked into the computer lab and noticed that something was different. One of the PreK students even said, "Mr. Greco, I think there is something different in here." They were so excited to have something new and beautiful to sit on! This rug will for a long time be used by our students to be a comfortable place to learn during a mini lesson and relax when we need our space defined. My students do not know how to thank you for your continued support!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Greco
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun... Reading!
Funded Apr 19, 2016"Mr. Greco, why is it that all the graphic novels in the library are for boys?" This is what my one of my grade 4 female students said to me one day. As I reflected what I had in my library, I came to the realization that she was correct! Although I explained to her and a group of my girls that girls can read anything boys can, this answer didn't suffice.
I want ALL students in my class to be afforded the same opportunities. To do this, we need to have a library that has a healthy balance of books with strong male characters and books with strong female characters. With this in mind the girls were given the task to find and research appropriate graphic novels for girls. Which they did and you funded!
My girls were ecstatic to be able to read books that they picked out, that were of high interest to them. Since we got the books I NEVER had to ask one of my ladies to take out a book and read during DEAR time or when they finished working on an assignment. They also LOVED having their own book club. This project really inspired my girls to be active participants in their learning and really teach them that if they want something they need to be proactive and go for it! This lesson I wouldn't have been able to teach them without you, so for that I thank you.
Also, on a side note.... ALL the girls in my class moved atlas 2-3 reading levels because of this project!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Greco
When Life Gives You Lemons, Run and Operate a Class Business
Funded May 14, 2015Anyone in the mood for a tall glass of lemonade? Well..... There were many who did!
I am proud to say that because of your donation of supplies our students were able to make enough money to go on a special trip!
Our posters, menus, drove a lot of traffic to our sale and our cashbox held the $434 that we made from our sale! I was so proud of our students. They really took a bad situation and WORKED and earn a field trip.
The conversations between the students were so rich. For the first time I heard them set goals, and actually appreciate what they had.
Thank you for not only being an integral part of the sale but providing an opportunity for my students to not only learn about the value of a dollar and realize that they have the power to make positive changes in their life!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Greco
This classroom project was brought to life by Experian and 9 other donors.Help! Tablet Troubles (Part 2)
Funded Dec 9, 2015I didn't really know the power of an iPad until it had arrived at my classroom door. My students were so excited to tear in. For many of them this was like Christmas! The looks on their faces was priceless. However, since then we have intergraded technology into almost everything that we do. The students use iPads to research various topics from the grade curriculum and some even come into class with their very own questions that they want answers. Since it is testing season we have intergraded many fun websites and apps as tools to practice the skills we will be testing.
My students are really starting to fall in love with learning, and because of your charitable donation they can now have access to information just like everyone else!
Thank you for inspiring my children and leveling the playing field!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Greco
This classroom project was brought to life by Google.org and one other donor.