Past projects 6
Making Math Matter
Funded Sep 5, 2018What a wonderful way to start the school year! I am so grateful for your for your donations and contributions to my 6th grade math class. Your help is pivotal is making our class and it's students more successful. My students are going to be so excited that they have these new tools to help in class.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Keck
This classroom project was brought to life by Neukom Family Foundation and 6 other donors.Help Provide Flexible Seating for our Diverse Learners
Funded Nov 18, 2017The children were SO excited to see the boxes arrive in the classroom with all of the flexible seating options that were purchased by you. They love having the opportunity to choose how they will sit to learn and not having to be confined to a chair or desk. The toggle chairs and stools have proven to be quite effective with many of my squirmy kiddos who need the ability to squirm to learn. They are more focused and on task throughout the day. The lap desks have also been wonderful. The students love sitting on the floor, and this helps them to be able to write neater while maintaining their favorite places to learn. Thank you again for your contribution to our room; the students love these resources and they have made my days teaching more enjoyable. :)”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Keck
Help Reluctant Readers "TOON" Into Literacy
Funded Oct 18, 2017Thank you so much for these wonderful graphic novels. My students not only enjoy reading them, but many request to check them out of the classroom library during down time throughout the day, at recess, or before and after school. With having a couple of each book, students are able to be grouped and work in literacy centers talking about their books. I've noticed a bit more confidence when they are in their literacy centers talking about their books as they can show "text evidence" using the graphics as well as the actual text. Students whom are normally more reserved when reading or talking about books during literacy centers are now far more open and engaged in conversations. Thank you SO much. This has been a huge blessing for our classroom.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Keck
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose.org Community and 5 other donors.Thinking Map Supplies Needed
Funded Nov 30, 2016Thank you so much for the Thinking Map Supplies such as the crayons, chart paper, markers, etc. They have made a significant impact within the classroom and in assisting to close the achievement gap with many of my lower achieving students. With the use of these tools, students are able to appropriately set themselves up for success when understanding text in order to respond to a prompt or engage in a conversation. Many of the students have noted an increased enjoyment of reading as they have a way to guide their learning and notes with these maps that helps make the assignments more "fun." Since research states that play is the brains favorite way to learn, incorporating these maps (with the appropriate supplies to color for purpose, etc), allows the students to feel like their reading and writing activities are more like a game or a project as opposed to the traditional approach of teaching reading to write and respond.
One of the uploaded photos shows a map (titled "what is the constitution") we created where I showed them how they could use multiple sources to gain information on a topic and be able to use those in one map. The students learned that by coloring each source a different color, they were able to appropriately cite their sources with text evidence when they went to transfer their notes into their writing, they not only had more information than they needed to be successful with writing, they also increased their efficiency when planning for a writing. These efficiency was noticed by students stating things like "these maps make it easier for me to complete writing assignments quicker than I did before."
When a student feels successful and provided with the information and tools to necessary to complete an assignment, their attitude and engagement levels rise making our community a beautiful place for learning to occur.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Keck
5th Grade Seeks Flexible Alternative Seating Options
Funded Nov 30, 2016The students are loving the new flexible seating options that this project has allowed for them to have. There isn't a day or subject that goes by where at least 10 students are utilizing the different alternatives to the standard chairs. My squirmy students have found seating that has helped set them up for better success with focus and learning. One of the most profound things that came out of this new seating is seeing some of my more emotional students, who get stressed during tests, group work, or other academic parts of the day begin to feel more comfortable and relaxed. Watching those students curl up on the floor with their group on bean bags or the floor chairs seems to be providing them with a calmer way of approaching academics.
Since this project was funded just before the winter holidays, I wrapped all of the donated items individually, and had them open them as "holiday gifts" for the classroom. They were so shocked, surprised, and grateful. This made for a great holiday conversation about gratitude and giving.
The next steps for my classroom are to continue building the relationships with these students and finding what makes them want to learn. After the flexible seating options had been introduced we have been able to break into small groups more, since the transition time has decreased, allowing me more time for differentiated instruction and one on one help with the students.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Keck
Technology takes us to the Top!
Funded Feb 21, 2017Thank you SO very much for funding this project. We look forward to getting the technology provided to take us to the top! The pencil sharpener and headphones have been something the students have asked for daily, so they are thrilled for these to arrive. These items, along with the other technology provided through your donations, will help set our community of learners up for success.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Keck