Past projects 6
My Kindergarten Students Need a Place to Meet!
Funded Aug 22, 2018I cannot begin to express how your generosity has changed our classroom completely. Because of you my students now have carpets where we can gather to learn and play. We have used them to read together, to complete puzzles, to build with blocks and to learn together. Before this, we were sitting on a tile floor or trying to put chairs in a circle for morning meeting. As you can imagine this was not the best situation for four and five year olds!
When my students first saw the beautiful carpets and we unwrapped them they were ecstatic. The carpets gave us such cozy, friendly places to gather. The easel allows us to learn together and the students love writing on chart paper and using dry erase markers to practice writing letters and their names.
As we move forward and my students become more independent, they are able to choose different spaces in our room for independent and small group work. Thank you for making creating these spaces possible. Thank you for changing our classroom environment and providing these much needed resources.
You helped to make 24 kindergarteners "super happy" as we like to say. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Mayorga
This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 12 other donors.Lone Pine Teacher Math Club
Funded Apr 25, 2016We are using the math manipulatives with our students and seeing great results. Students are using the Cuisenaire Rods and are really able to discuss their thinking and understanding with fractions. The geometry materials are making that subject come alive and allowing our students to visualize shapes and see their properties. The students were so excited to see and be able to use new materials. It has really motivated them in their study of math. We plan to continue to use these materials to deepen student understanding of fractions and geometry as we continue math this year and into the future. Thank you again for your kindness and generosity.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Mayorga
K-2 Modeling with Math Manipulatives
Funded Jan 19, 2017Thank you so much for your generous donation for Bridgeport K-2 students to get these manipulatives. Teachers felt that this was Christmas in March!! We are already seeing teachers using the resources and our students are so excited. Kindergarten students are using the unifix cubes to represent numbers through 20 and solve word problems. 1st grade teachers are gung-ho for Greg Tang using the ten frames. Our 2nd grade teachers are modeling arrays and using place value chips to model 3-digit numbers. These experiences have helped our students to have conceptual knowledge and have a deeper understanding of these math concepts.
You are making a difference!! Thank you!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Mayorga
My Students Must Have Technology!!
Funded Mar 15, 2016Words cannot express our gratitude for you generosity. Technology in schools today is essential for so many reasons. Through the use of technology we are able to access quality curriculum support and intervention materials, help students' learn to research topics and we are able to develop their skills using the technology itself in order to better prepare them for college and their careers.
Today there are an infinite number of programs students can use to provide practice and instruction in key areas such as math and reading. We are fortunate that our district has purchased several of these programs for our students to use. In classrooms that have working desktops, or access to Chromebooks on a regular basis, we are seeing growth in our students. They are able to practice math skills, receive individualized lessons in specific math concepts, take quizzes on books read for fun, and receive individualized lessons in phonics and vocabulary. In other classrooms where they students do not have regular access, they are unable to use these resources. My students are most excited about this part: being able to use the Chromebooks to work on skills that they know they need to improve upon.
Reading comprehension, writing skills and the ability to express themselves are also major focus areas in our school. With the regular use of the Chromebooks my students will be able to read grade-level appropriate materials to find information on a topic, take notes and then synthesize the information found to report to the class. Utilizing the Internet they can find more information on a topic, and further learn to discriminate between authentic sources and sources that do not have correct information.
One of the most essential skills my students will develop is the ability to become proficient with technology. All over the country, having computers in every classroom is a given. In the classrooms in this grade level it is scarce. Our students need to learn to search the internet, type and use a mouse/trackpad and a keyboard. When every high-stakes test is now given on the computer, it is unfair that some students are not exposed to the technology.
Thank you again for your generosity. We hope to put some more projects soon, so that all of our students will have regular, meaningful access to technology. Thank you for helping to make that happen.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Mayorga
This classroom project was brought to life by #BestSchoolDay and 9 other donors.Help Us Love Our Library!
Funded May 5, 2014Thank you so much for your generosity. My students are so excited about their beautiful new bookcase and colorful book bins. Our library has been a work in progress all year, but now they say it is a fun, colorful, comfortable place to read. They love the rainbow colored bins the best.
We sorted our books by subject and labeled the beautiful bins with subjects such as space, seasons, school days and others. The students are able to select a book based on a topic they would like to read about and then put it back in the correct place. They are excited about keeping it as a neat fun place to work together.
Not only are the students eager to spend more time reading in the library, but now they are reading more in both English and Spanish. We also use our "Amigos" (stuffed animals based on book characters) to read aloud to. This boosts their ability to read fluently in both languages. Thank you so much for your help and support.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Mayorga
Dual Language: Spanish Literacy for Grade 1
Funded Nov 20, 2013Thank you so much for your generous support. My students were so excited when they saw our beautiful carpet and wonderful new books. They couldn't wait to spend time reading in our new "spot." They all went home and shared the great news with their parents.
We use the carpet every day to get together, listen to read alouds, and do silent reading. It is a cozy spot in our room that also is supporting both English and Spanish language development. I have used the books not only during guided reading with my own class, but the science and social studies concepts are perfect for building Spanish language skills with the English Dual Language class.
I have seen much growth in the students' enthusiasm for reading, as well as Spanish language development. Thank you for helping my students become more successful.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Mayorga