Past projects 5
Flexible Seating to Improve Learning
Funded Nov 24, 2019Your generosity is endless! Thank you so much for your donation to our classroom. Students today struggle with many distractions in the classroom, and all their pent up energy is the worst. Thanks to your gift, our students are now able to get some of that energy out while being able to focus on the day's lesson. This is especially true of students with ADHD - the alternative seating really helps these students focus in class. Your donation provided enough balls for those who need alternative seating to use. You are greatly appreciated!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Kitchen
This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 11 other donors.Flexible Seating to Improve Learning
Funded Jan 30, 2019Thank you so much for your help in securing flexible seating for our classroom. When I first unpackaged the new seats, the kids weren't quite sure what to expect. Most were familiar with the yoga exercise balls, but the wobbly stools and kick bands were unknown to all. They were excited to give everything a try.
Since receiving the new seats, my students have thoroughly enjoyed using them. They report back that they are able to focus better by figiting quietly in their seats (which used to be distracting others by tapping pencils on desks). Students are causing less interruptions as they use the seating more and more.
We greatly appreciate your gift! And now that we've experienced these seats on a small scale, we are considering trying to set up our whole class with them. You have helped start a movement in my classroom that will help all kids, especially those with ADHD, perform better and learn more.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Kitchen
This classroom project was brought to life by Carol Kupers Whalen Memorial Fund and 7 other donors.Help Students Breakout From the Ordinary
Funded Feb 2, 2018Our gratitude is beyond words, but we will try to express our thanks. Your gift has allowed us to do some amazing learning, and we are so thankful to you.
When we opened the boxes, the kids eyes grew wide open. They were so excited just thinking about the Breakout games we could do. As we unpacked the kits, and they watched as piece by piece came out, the excitement grew more and more.
We were able to play several BreakoutEDU activities. Each allows kids to truly work on their problem solving skills and develop stronger communications skills. These are vital to developing a future citizen.
While we were only able to get a few activities in before the end of the year, these reusable kits will be available for students for years to come.
Thank you for your support!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Kitchen
This classroom project was brought to life by The First Million Fund and 12 other donors.Help Kids Keep Current with News Magazine
Funded Feb 2, 2018Thank you for your incredible gift to our classroom! Your donation provided an entire class with UpFront Magazine, a collaboration between Scholastic and the New York Times.
Today's teens don't typically connect with traditional news outlets, and that disconnect many times means they aren't getting current events. Teens are unaware of happenings in their own communities and around the world. All too often, they don't understand how events happening in other nations have a direct impact on them, their families and their friends.
Now, however, thanks to your donation, my class is able to dive deep into current event issues as they happen. Your gift allows access to well-written and grade-appropriate readings on current events, complete with related topics, videos and more. With these readings, students can engage with other students to discuss how current events connects to our own community. They are beginning to understand how something in Europe or Asia affects their own lives.
Your gift has improved reading skills but it goes well beyond that. Students are bettering their communications skills and, through the questions provided, building critical thinking skills as well.
Again, thank you for your generosity. You are helping make a positive difference!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Kitchen
Help Us Breakout From the Ordinary with Engaging Classroom Learning
Funded Nov 20, 2016Thank you for helping create such an amazing learning atmosphere in my classroom! Your gift helped my class secure two BreakoutEDU kits. Like the well-known Breakout escape rooms, kids use critical thinking skills to solve problems to break into our BreakoutEDU boxes. It has been an instant hit!
We started with a task called The Shot Heard Round the World. Students were put into teams where they had to solve riddles, decipher codes and examine documents to figure out how to open a series of locks. The game begins as each team gets directions through a letter from Samuel Adams. From there, they examine images from the Boston Massacre, Paul Revere's ride and the Battle of Lexington and Concord. By working together as a team, and building team work and communication skills in the process, students are thoroughly engaged in their learning.
Your gift has already surpassed my 120 students. In fact, the day after our class did their first BreakoutEDU game, my grade level partner borrowed the boxes and did the same exercise with her 120 students. It was such a hit, both 7th grade teachers in my school have since borrowed the boxes to use in their rooms. Your gift has been shared with 480 middle school students! I can't thank you enough!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Kitchen