Past projects 8
Beta Believe That We're Ready to Compete.
Funded Sep 9, 2024My students were beyond excited when we received the new resources to create projects for our inclusion in Illinois' statewide competition—especially the art, dance, and jewelry-making materials! These supplies are helping them bring their creative ideas to life, and with your support, they now have the tools to possibly become award-winning competitors.
With our team growing to over 25 members, capturing every student's excitement in a single picture is nearly impossible. However, please know that their gratitude is immeasurable. We are deeply thankful to the teachers, ancillary staff, and—most importantly—generous supporters like you through DonorsChoose. A special thank you to the Gates Foundation for its incredible generosity in making this project possible. Your kindness has helped turn our dreams into reality, and we can't wait to share the incredible projects our students create!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Morris
This classroom project was brought to life by The Gates Foundation and 16 other donors.Help Us Tune Out Distractions with Sound Solutions!
Funded Aug 21, 2024Thank you so much for your generous support in funding our classroom project for headphones! Your contribution has made a significant impact on our learning environment. With the new headphones, my students can fully engage in personalized reading and ELA activities using technology without distractions. These tools have allowed us to explore interactive reading platforms, listen to audiobooks, and practice essential literacy skills at each student's own pace. For many of my students, the opportunity to work in a focused and individualized way has boosted their confidence and motivation to tackle challenging texts.
The headphones have truly transformed our classroom. Students who once struggled to focus during technology-based lessons are now eagerly participating and improving their skills. It's heartwarming to see how these simple tools have opened doors for collaboration, creativity, and growth. Your generosity has not only provided essential resources but also inspired my students to believe in their potential. On behalf of my class, thank you for investing in their success and helping us create an environment where every learner can thrive. We are deeply grateful for your kindness and support!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Morris
This classroom project was brought to life by The Gates Foundation and 6 other donors.Ready to Compete On All Levels!
Funded Nov 30, 2023You won't believe how your kind and generous donations have helped to fuel my students for competition! Your donations provided my two teams of students with the necessary materials required to create the projects that were a required part of our ability to compete in a statewide academic and talent competition. Although we got a late start on our projects for a competition that was conducted in early March, we came through mighty and strong.
Two levels of students - the Elementary (grades 4 - 5) and the Junior (grades 6 - 8) teams met in the state capital to showcase their work and compete in academic and performance competitions against other students from all over the state. Our 3D technology team used funds to purchase filament to create their design, earning a second place trophy. Through your donations, we purchased canvases, paints and other supplies and with those materials, seventh and fifth grade students placed third in painting. The dance performance attire we were able to purchase with your donations helped two teams bring home a second and third place trophy in small and large group performances and not overlooked, we took home trophies in math, science and poetry, none of which could have been accomplished without your help.
On behalf of all of my students, we say "THANK YOU"!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Morris
This classroom project was brought to life by United Airlines and 4 other donors.Creating Cool and Cozy Corners for Reading
Funded Sep 11, 2023There are not enough words to communicate my level of appreciation to each and every donor that contributed to making this project a tremendous success! My new "Cozy Corner" has provided additional reading and workspace for students along with a place for students to relax; however, it is so much more than I ever could have imagined.
When I began to seek funding for this project, I envisioned an area within my classroom where students can move away from desks and chairs. I wanted it to be colorfullyl and comfortably decorated. The creation of the Cozy Corner serves its purpose - students flock to this area to work both collaboratively and independently. It is so amusing to watch them make use of the space. They're kind of like pound puppies - they take pillows to lay on the floor to work, curl up in chairs to read - you name it, they do it in that space! Their imaginations run wild!
The Cozy Corner also has an unexpected new found use. It also serves as my "I Need a Minute" space for social-emotional support. I've had some of my students who may be experiencing some level of stress, take a short self imposed timeout in the chairs or the pillows on the carpet and then come back to participate in class. All they needed was a minute. So that was an unexpected bonus of the Cozy Corner
Again, the students and I can't thank you enough for your kind and generous support.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Morris
This classroom project was brought to life by Panda Cares and 5 other donors.School Supplies Are Nothing to Sneeze At
Funded Aug 16, 2021There is an adage that people may forget your name but they will never forget the way you made them feel. That is how I feel about the kindness of family, friends and people I have never met, that supported me and my students when I asked for donations to purchase basic school supplies.
Some comments from the public included that parents should know and expect that they should have to purchase school supplies for their child(ren) at the start of each school year. I'd agree almost any other time; however, we were coming out of a national crisis and the need outweighed the ability for some families. But that is where each of you came in. I simply expressed the need and within days, the need was met! I take pleasure going to my closet and grabbing a handful of pencils and putting them out for anyone who needs one. I treasure a moment when a student who had ordinarily didn't talk to others, told me he had "old" folders, timidly asked if he could have "new" folders in different colors. It warmed my heart to reach into my cabinet, select a folder of each primary color, put holes in the folders with a 3-hole punch machine and place the folders in a binder for him. His smile was worth far more than the cost of the folders and binders. But it is because of you, that I was able to help.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Morris
This classroom project was brought to life by Bill Gates and 10 other donors.The Crossover Is More Than a Basketball Story
Funded Aug 18, 2021How do I begin to thank you for your financial support of my classroom? One page at a time! My students are enjoying reading the book, The Crossover, by Kwame Alexander. For the past two weeks, my sixth grade students come to class asking if we are reading today. The discussions about the book have been very thought provoking. This, by far, has been the easiest book to get them to read. In fact, they read it and complete the assignments! Maybe because the book is relatable? I am not 100% sure but I do know, I have never had such a high interest in a novel study before. My fifth grade students are asking to check out the book to read when the class is done with the book!
Thank you for giving my students something to read that they can enjoy. They have officially "crossed over" from pretend and sometime readers to actual readers for academic and leisure purposes.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Morris
This classroom project was brought to life by Dollar General Literacy Foundation and 3 other donors.Cool Kidz Reading Retreat
Funded Aug 12, 2021I am so excited to write about the Cool Kidz Reading Retreat! My students needed a place to read that was comfortable and inviting, not just the standard desk and chair that is provided in a classroom. I understood that students were returning to the classroom post-COVID; therefore, I needed to create a learning environment that was non-confining yet promotes energetic dialogue and discourse. Bottom line, I knew I needed to do something different.
It's funny, this is one corner my students don't mind being sent to. The Cool Kidz Reading Retreat is much more than a reading corner. I often say that they remind me of pound puppies when they're in the corner - the way they like to curl up with books or during a small group discussion. I love that they feel comfortable and relaxed while reading and in small groups. My former students often stop by my class to admire the arrangement and say that they are jealous that they didn't get a chance to experience the "kool room." :-D I tell them that none of this (the room décor) would've been possible without the very generous contributions from the wonderful donors of Donors Choose.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Morris
This classroom project was brought to life by Bill Gates and 13 other donors.Taking the Power of the Pen on a Road Trip
Funded May 8, 2015I would like to thank you each of you from the bottom of my heart for helping to make a trip possible for some very deserving students.
We successfully raised $1,250! As you know, the trip to St. Louis doesn't occur for another four weeks or so, but I can't wait to tell the students of the generosity extended on their behalf. They have no idea of how this four-hour trip will impact their lives. Yes, it's a short two day trip but within that time, students will enjoy the camaraderie of peers in a different setting, stopover at the birthplace of famous author/poet, Maya Angelou, experience of the City Museum – an interactive museum that encourages play and experiment, pay a visit to the Gateway Arch – the landmark of St. Louis, visit the Griot Museum – a African American wax museum and finally, enjoy some time relaxing at Six Flags Great America. I know there will be fun for all involved.
Thank you once again for your kindness and generosity. Words cannot express how I feel and the joy that I will experience when I tell the group of deserving students that they will be able to go on a trip that they didn't think would be possible to attend.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Morris