Past projects 17
Motivating Readers With Manga
Funded Oct 3, 2024I cannot thank you enough for supporting our latest Donors Choose project. We received all of our manga books for the library. The books have been covered, processed and added to our collection. Students have started checking them out, and the response has been so positive!
Manga is a genre that has become quite popular over the last few years, and our library was lacking in that area. Students requested specific titles and series, and your donation allowed us to make those purchases. Based on the number of checkouts already, we will definitely be adding to our collection in the near future.
I know for certain that some kids read only manga and graphic novels, and now that we have additional titles, those kids have the opportunity to read more...and that is what the library is all about. Thank you for helping us get students engaged through these books!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Burns
This classroom project was brought to life by SONIC Foundation and 4 other donors.Help Creativity Flourish in the Library
Funded Apr 23, 2024Our cricut finally arrived! I am very excited to share that the cricut arrived in our library last week. We also received all of the items that can be used in conjunction with the machine. There was a bit of a delay due to the fact that the original order was no longer available last spring. I had to wait until August to input the order again. This time it went through, and we now have a "cricut joy extra" for our school library.
My students and I have already started planning how we will use the machine. We are currently reading the instruction pamphlet that accompanied the item, and it looks like we are going to have fun creating things to promote reading and the library. We plan to produce letters and pictures for bulletin boards, bookmarks, flyers and other advertisements.
Thank you for donating to Donors Choose. This machine will save so much time and allow for more diverse and creative projects in the library. It is something that will benefit every student at our school throughout this school year and beyond. Thanks again for supporting our school!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Burns
High Interest Reading for Students
Funded Nov 28, 2023I would like to once again thank you for helping to fund my latest Donors Choose project entitled "High Interest Reading for Students." The materials have arrived, and they are already circulating. The students are very excited about and inspired by these new titles.
My students are serious readers! They are inquisitive, curious young people who are constantly asking for the newest and most popular books in the world of literature. Although our school includes many high level readers, there are also a number of English Language Learners (ELL) as well as students who do not enjoy or want to read. My goal for this project was to get titles in our library that spark interest and allow for success with these lower level and reluctant readers.
The majority of the books in this order relate to what young people today are experiencing. They also provide an escape through reading. I have already seen some of my more reluctant readers checking out these new titles!
Thank you for playing a part in getting my students excited about reading!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Burns
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 7 other donors.Updated Shelving for the Library
Funded Oct 26, 2022Thank you very much for contributing to or new library shelving. My husband and I came to school over the Winter Break, set up the new shelves and moved all of the books from the old shelves to their new home!
On the first day back from Break, students had a variety of different facial expressions as they viewed the shelves for the first time. I had questions such as, "Did you get new shelves?", "What happened to the shelf that was here?" and "Is there something different?" I also had students who were very excited to see the new shelves that now match the others that are in the library!
Having mobile shelving will make such a difference. The shelves will not be moved very often, but just knowing that the option exists is a game changer for our school. If we have an event or activity for which we need to open up the space, we will now be able to do so...thanks to you!
Thank you again for making a positive impact on our school library!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Burns
This classroom project was brought to life by Bill Gates and 16 other donors.Books to Inspire
Funded Mar 11, 2022Thank you again for donating to my "Books to Inspire" project. The materials arrived last week, and I am busy getting them processed and prepared for students to check out!
I truly believe that books can change lives. A child who reads is statistically more likely to graduate high school and go on to have success in college and/or the career of his or her choice. Reading for enjoyment and reading for information often happen at the same time. I am positive that the books you helped get to our library fall into both categories. Learning about amazing people such as Juliette Low, Nina Simone, Dorothy Vaughan and Lewis Latimer will inspire kids to think of what they can achieve as they get older.
My goal in choosing this specific list of books was to hook my students with stories about individuals and events in history about whom and of which they may not be aware. I want them to read about people who took chances, who never gave up and who accomplished great things even though the circumstances of the world made the work more than difficult at times.
Thank you for making this possible.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Burns
Modern Checkout Counter
Funded Oct 10, 2021I apologize for the delay in sending out this letter. I was finally able, with much help from my husband, to set up our new checkout counter over the winter break! Monday was the first day the students, staff and parents saw our new setup. Everyone loved the look of the counter as well as the extra space it provides for returning, renewing and checking out books!
Prior to having the new counter, students placed their books on a table. My volunteers and I would have to bend over to pick up each book in order to scan the barcode. The new counter is higher and thus allows for far less bending. I cannot tell you what a difference that makes on our backs! That alone has made a tremendous difference for me personally.
One of my goals has always been to have a library that makes my students proud. Things like carpet, paint and furniture are immediately noticed when people enter a room. Our previous checkout counter was just plain worn out. It was literally disintegrating. Students frequently pointed to the particle board that was flaking away and ask, "What's that?" I no longer have to tell them that the checkout counter is old and tired, because we now have a beautiful counter that makes everyone proud!
Due to the fact that I receive zero funding from my school district, I never would have been able to purchase a new checkout counter. It is thanks to your donations through Donors Choose that has allowed us an awesome new counter for our school library. I am forever grateful!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Burns
Mobile Instructional Table
Funded Aug 12, 2021Our new mobile table arrived last week, and we are already putting it to use! The table itself is very solid, and it looks wonderful in our library. I have included a few pictures for you to view. One is of the table at its lowest height; while the rest are at full height - which is where it will most likely remain. You will notice the adjustable desk I mentioned in my original project description. It fits perfectly on the table!
This week, I used the table to teach a couple lessons to my older students. I was able to have my notes and materials spread out in front of me rather than balanced off to the side on a nearby shelf as in the past. It was so convenient to be able to wheel the table out when it was needed. At the conclusion of the lesson, I simply moved it back into the corner thus allowing the kids to begin checking out their books with nothing in the way.
I have not had any students use it yet for formal presentations, but that is coming. You will notice in one of the pictures, it is an excellent height for the kids. The students in the photo are third graders to give you an idea of age. They were really excited when I told them they will get to use the table and the adjustable desk in the future. It may seem like "just a table" to some, but getting anything new in the world of education is a very big deal. I sincerely thank you for making this possible for our school!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Burns
This classroom project was brought to life by Bill Gates and one other donor.Fun and Thought-Provoking Books
Funded Dec 2, 2020The books arrived! I spent the last couple days getting them processed and ready to be shelved in our school library. Again, thank you for helping to make this purchase possible.
The books for this project fall into two categories. The first is "Fun". There are certain books that students just love to read. Many are part of a popular series such as "Grime and Punishment" from the "Dog Man" series and "Happy Narwhalidays" from the very entertaining "Narwhal" series. One of the photos I uploaded contains the books from this order that I consider the "fun" stories.
The second category for this particular order is "Thought-provoking". After a summer of reflection in our country, my goal for the future is to make sure, more than ever before, that my libraries include books that reflect our society and what is happening in the world. I want my student to read books like "It's OK to be Different", "The Skin You Live In" and "Kindness Begins With You". They need to see themselves reflected in the literature they read, and they need to know that being unique is what makes them special.
I am using these books in my lessons to teach acceptance, tolerance and respect. Young people are the future of this world. My desire is for them to display these qualities not only at school and in their homes, but in all aspects of their lives for many years to come.
Thank you for your support!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Burns
This classroom project was brought to life by FamilyAlbum and 5 other donors.Complete Engagement with Adjustable Equipment
Funded Oct 23, 2020As you all know, this year has been very challenging for students and educators around the world. I am a teacher librarian who is used to seeing eight or nine classes each day in my library. In normal times, I would teach my lesson in front of the class and then move among my students offering assistance and advice as they check out books from our library collection.
Since mid-August, I have been teaching from a chair in my dining room or from a chair at school when it is possible for me to enter the campus safely. All of the sitting has caused some major back pain. Thanks to you funding my project, I am now able to choose whether or not I wish to stand or sit while I am teaching!
As soon as the package arrived, I assembled the Stand-Sit Desk. It has made a world of difference for me as well as my students. I am more energetic and enthusiastic during my lessons as I am no longer feeling constant pain from sitting, and my students respond to that enthusiasm. It makes our time together so much better. You have provided me with an option that is literally saving my health, and I am so grateful that you decided to help me.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Burns
This classroom project was brought to life by OshKosh B'gosh.New Books for the Library
Funded Mar 2, 2020Thanks so much for donating to our library book project. The kids were really excited to see the new books when they arrived. I even opened the boxes in front of one of my classes. It was like Christmas morning in the library as we pulled out one book after another. I included a picture of the empty boxes so you can see the "aftermath." It reminded me of the mess in my living room following the chaos of opening gifts!
The books you helped purchase for our library will be loved and enjoyed for years to come. My students are constantly asking for the latest publications, but unfortunately our limited budget does not always allow for these new books. Your donation has made it possible to fulfill some of their requests and make these books available to our amazing and eager students.
I thank you for your generosity. My students and I are extremely grateful for your gift!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Burns
This classroom project was brought to life by A group of anonymous donors and 2 other donors.