Mrs. Dilling's Classroom Edit display name

Past projects 16

• Weird Science!

  Funded Apr 29, 2018

  Thanks to you, our students just got some awesome new microscopes to use with their table partners! This project focused on providing students with prepared slides for them to look at under the microscopes. Their first project (after learning how to use the microscopes), was to compare two slides and write about the similarities and differences in the slides they chose. Walking around the room, listening to students' conversations as they worked together, I was so proud of how they worked together and so happy to hear all the scientific language they were using while talking with their partners.

  Thank you so much for this opportunity!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Dilling

  This classroom project was brought to life by San Diego Gas & Electric and one other donor.

• Microscopes for All!

  Funded Apr 28, 2018

  I brought in one microscope to show the students and pique their interest. Then we rolled in a whole cart of microscopes...their minds were blown! "Wait, you mean we really get to use these? We can really touch them?" The students were so amazed that these shiny, brand new microscopes were for them. Of course, everyone immediately wanted to use them, and the best part is THEY COULD! There was a microscope for each pair of students to use. Every single student was engaged and excited to learn...what a huge gift!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Dilling

  This classroom project was brought to life by San Diego Gas & Electric and one other donor.

• Becoming Scientists...Full STEAM Ahead!

  Funded Apr 25, 2018

  It has been so exciting to watch my students direct their own learning through these STEM projects! It's been great to see them problem solve with their classmates and cheer each other on when they are successful! Two boys in particular worked for about 30 minutes to get the blocks placed just perfectly in the STEM Motion set. They must have adjusted the blocks 50 times. When they finally lined everything up and their ball bounced off the block and ended up in the "finish" spot...they whole class was jumping up and down celebrating! Thank you for helping create powerful learning opportunities for them that they will NEVER forget!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Dilling

  This classroom project was brought to life by San Diego Gas & Electric and 2 other donors.

• Weird Science, Part 2!

  Funded Apr 29, 2018

  We are having so much fun! I am loving the creative ideas that the students are coming up with. "Mrs. Dilling, can we please use the magnifying glasses to look at the bird nest and write about it?" Ummmm, YES!!! "Mrs. Dilling, come look at the castle we made with Magnatiles! We used squares and rectangles for the base, then triangles for the roof!" Great job working together, friends! (And did I hear some shape recognition too...BONUS!) Thank you for this great opportunity you've given our classroom. They are so excited to explore these new materials!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Dilling

  This classroom project was brought to life by San Diego Gas & Electric and one other donor.

• Building Architects

  Funded Apr 29, 2018

  Whoa! These kids really ARE engineers! The excitement on their faces as we opened up the boxes was priceless. This is by far the favorite project we've done so far.

  My favorite part is that they play with these materials in small groups, and I absolutely love the conversations I'm hearing amongst the kids. They are using scientific vocabulary and are learning to solve problems together and work together to complete a task.

  The Magnatiles and Stand-Up activity centers are ALWAYS the first centers to be filled during developmental play time and I'm sure they will be for a long time to come! Thank you SOOOOO much!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Dilling

  This classroom project was brought to life by San Diego Gas & Electric and one other donor.

• Ready, Set, Grow!

  Funded Apr 15, 2018

  When our custodian wheeled a few big boxes into our classroom, I wish you could have heard the gasps! We had been patiently waiting for our materials to arrive. When we opened the boxes, it reminded me very much of Christmas morning...they were SOOOOOO excited!

  We are LOVING our new learning centers! It has taken lots of training on how to use them, but the kids are owning these materials and are now using them independently. It is wonderful for me to be able to have uninterrupted time with my small groups, and when I look up, the rest of the class is actively engaged in learning and working cooperatively. I love to see them do meaningful work and be so excited to share with me what they've done.

  We plan to continue using these centers and rotating them in and out of our rotations to keep the excitement going. Thank you for donating to our classroom. We are so very grateful and think of your generous donation every time we get out our new materials!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Dilling