Mrs. Lacour's Classroom Edit display name

Past projects 201

• Quill to the Rescue III

  Funded Aug 23, 2015

  Thank you so much for supporting teachers, students and classrooms through DonorsChoose! You are awesome!

  With your help, my students now have a wonderful set of dry erase boards, erasers and markers. They are really enjoying these items, and we are using them daily. We use them in small groups to help learn letters, sounds, sight words and number sense. In addition, the students like to pull them out at their activity time, when they can self-select their activity, and use them to be creative with drawing and writing.

  In addition to the dry erase boards, through this grant we were also able to stock up on printer ink and baby wipes. The ink is used daily to print out lessons and other materials, and the baby wipes are helping to keep our classroom clean and sanitary.

  I am so thrilled and thankful that we were able to get these materials for our classroom. You help means so much to us. Thank you again for your generous support!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Lacour

  This classroom project was brought to life by Quill.com FY15 and 3 other donors.

• Exploring STEM With Lakeshore Learning

  Funded May 28, 2015

  I want to thank you so much for helping my classroom! My students have been using the materials your donations provided, and they love them. Thanks to you, we now have the Lakeshore Learning Preschool STEM bundle, which includes many wonder science, engineering and math activities developed specifically for their age level. We also have an amazing charge and store station for our classroom tablets!

  One of their favorite items is the magnetic set in which they can build their own roller coaster and predict, try out and evaluate the speed of their roller coaster. They also enjoy building vehicles, houses and bridges with the engineering toys included in the set. We have also been experimenting with water activities with our new sink and float set, and experimenting with force and balance with other items in the STEM bundle.

  This type of hands-on learning works so well with young children. They are able to make connections to what they are learning, and make memories that will help them in the years ahead.

  Without your help, we would never have items such as these in our classroom. Please know that your generosity is appreciated by me, my students and their families.

  Thank you!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Lacour

  This classroom project was brought to life by Lakeshore Learning and 2 other donors.

• Light a SPARK For Physical Fitness Part 2

  Funded Feb 27, 2015

  Thank your for making it possible for my colleagues and I to attend the SPARK PE Institute. I have always wanted to attend this wonderful training, but cost and logistics have prevented me from doing so. When I received the news that my DonorsChoose professional development request had been funded, I was elated! Without your help, it is most likely that I would never have been able to have this wonderful opportunity.

  Your donation helped to pay for the necessary travel and lodging costs to attend the SPARK training, as well as provided me with the PE teacher's manual in the form of the SPARK digital content. I can use this valuable resource for lesson planning, student assessment, and video examples of activities that I can do with my students. Months from now when I may have forgotten how to do a particular PE activity or game, I can open up my SPARK digital content and refresh my memory. The digital content also includes all the music for the PE activities and lessons in the program. The iPad you have provided was of great use during the training, and will continue to be a valuable resource for accessing my SPARK digital content in the upcoming years.

  I chose the SPARK PE Institute because I wanted to improve my skills for teaching physical fitness to my students, and I wanted to provide a more well-rounded, researched-based physical fitness program. Attending the training, I learned many techniques and strategies that I can put in place to improve my program and motivate my students to take ownership of their physical fitness. I wish every teacher across the country could have the opportunity that I was given. Thank you again for your generosity and for believing in the importance of continuing professional development for teachers!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Lacour

  This classroom project was brought to life by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 3 other donors.

• Light a SPARK For Physical Fitness

  Funded Feb 5, 2015

  Thank you for your support of teacher professional development through DonorsChoose! Your contribution enabled me and my colleagues to attend the SPARK Academy Institute this week, in which I learned many strategies and protocols for providing my students with a strong physical education program.

  I chose the SPARK professional development opportunity because I wanted to strengthen my skills and my PE program for my students. Physical fitness is so important to our children, yet it is often overlooked when it comes to planning school budgets. This is a shame because all the research points to the fact that healthy, physically fit students do better academically in school. The SPARK program was developed to ensure that students get active as soon as possible and take part in the most vigorous physical activities.

  I learned many games that I can take back to the classroom, as well as many strategies to motivate my students and keep them active as much as possible. The trainers were seasoned and experts in their fields. The training was hands-on, and I was moving and practicing the games and activities myself for the majority of the time. I wish every teacher at my school could be trained in this program! My students will benefit from having a teacher that can provide a better PE program for them.

  The SPARK Academy is only offered once a year in San Diego, so that, along with the prohibitive cost, have kept me from participating until now. Without your help, I would not have been able to experience this training and become a better teacher.

  Thank you again for your support and generosity!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Lacour

  This classroom project was brought to life by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 3 other donors.

• Financial Literacy in 2015

  Funded Mar 21, 2015

  Thank you so very much for your generous contributions to my students and our classroom. Your donations have provided filament and tools for our 3D printer, a classroom reward box, and a working cash register.

  We use the filament to design and create our own coins for our classroom economy. These coins can be earned through hard work and good behavior, and then traded for rewards from the treasure chest. It was very interesting to see the looks of understanding coming over my students' faces when they realized that the coins they had earned may or may not be enough to trade in for the prize of their choice, and that they would have to work harder or do more to earn a coin with a higher value. Some chose to save their coins to earn a more valuable item, and others chose to spend their coins on a less valuable item.

  This type of activity develops financial literacy in a way that even the youngest of our students can understand. Thank you again for your support of our schools through DonorsChoose and for your generosity towards our classroom!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Lacour

  This classroom project was brought to life by PwC Charitable Foundation, Inc. and 3 other donors.

• Kindergarten Nature Study: Inquirying Minds Want To Know!

  Funded Mar 12, 2015

  I am writing today to thank you and let you know what an awesome impact your donations have made to my students and our classroom! Our nature study unit was successful in many ways. The students were given the opportunity to learn about our earth and its animal and plant life. We also learned about the importance of taking care of our planet and its inhabitants. The learning be long lasting, as it was done through an inquiry-based approach. The students were the guides in this process, as we used their interests to go deeper into the subject matter.

  The students loved all the new materials. When they came, it was like opening up a treasure chest! We set up a table with markers, gluesticks, scissors, crayons and other items for them to go to and create artwork to reflect what they were learning about. They were fascinated with making little books, cards and posters, working together to share ideas and be creative. They also loved the issues of the Scholastic magazine that came, and chose to look at them over and over. They played together with the toy animals, creating improvisational games and stories.

  Having materials such as these is a luxury. Thanks to your generosity, my classroom is well-stocked with the items my children need to flourish. Lessons that encourage creativity, cooperation, critical thinking, communication, and community motivate students and help them develop into tomorrow's leaders, problem solvers and creative individuals. Thank you again for your support!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Lacour

  This classroom project was brought to life by Lily Sarah Grace Fund and 6 other donors.

• Help Us Hear Our Music and Lessons!

  Funded Mar 31, 2015

  Thank you so much for contributing to this project and helping to bring these resources to my students. Your donation has provided Bluetooth speakers and a protective case for our classroom iPad.

  Before we got the new Bluetooth speakers we were using old, wired speakers that didn't work right. The sound would go in and out, especially if the cord got bumped. This was very frustrating for the students and interrupted the lessons. Our new Bluetooth speakers don't need wires, and they are loud enough for everyone to hear the lesson. We have now speakers to use with our Smart board and our iPod.

  Our new iPad cover will help protect our iPad from getting damaged as so many little hands are holding it. The protection from the case will help the iPad to last for many years.

  Thank you again for all that you do for our students! Without your help, we would not be able to get these wonderful resources.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Lacour

• Learning To Appreciate The Wonder of Animals

  Funded Nov 26, 2014

  I am writing to you today to thank you for the generosity you have shown to my students and our entire grade level. We took our trip to America's Teaching Zoo yesterday, and it was everything I had hoped it would be! We would not have been able to go without your support.

  While at the zoo, my kindergarteners were awed by the amazing array of animals they saw. Most of these animals were obtained through rescues, or confiscation of illegal pets from home owners. We saw African lions, apes, monkeys, farm animals, snakes, hyenas, a wide variety of exotic birds and even a 92 year old Galapagos tortoise.

  We were treated to an animal show put on by the students of the Exotic Animal Training and Management program at Moorpark College. We learned many interesting facts about the animals presented in the show, particularly about their living environments and what is needed to protect them. We chose to go this week so that our trip would tie in with Earth Day and our study of the planet and how to take care of our resources.

  The students came away from the trip with an appreciation of animal life on Planet Earth, and with lots of new knowledge about animals they had never seen before.

  Thank you again for the kindness you have shown by contributing to our classroom. We appreciate everything you have done for us; you are the best!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Lacour

  This classroom project was brought to life by Paul G. Allen Family Foundation and 2 other donors.

• Quill To The Rescue!

  Funded Jan 18, 2015

  Thank you for your generous support towards my classroom! Your contributions have provided us mice for our classroom computers and plastic filament for our Makerbot 3D printer. These supplies are necessary for keeping our technology working and helping us create projects that we can print out with the amazing Makerbot 3D technology.

  The mice we received are small, so they are perfect for my kindergarteners. Sometimes their small hands have trouble manipulating the adult sized mice that come with most computers. The filament we received came in many bright and beautiful colors, and the students were so excited when it warmed up and they saw bracelets, chains, hearts, fish and more being printed. How amazing it was to reach in the the Makerbot and pull out a freshly printed article that could be held and passed around.

  Thank you again for the kindness you have shown my students! You are the best!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Lacour

  This classroom project was brought to life by Quill.com FY15 and 2 other donors.

• TK Learning in LA!

  Funded Sep 15, 2014

  Thank you once again for the tremendous support you have shown to my students and I. Your donations have provided the wonderful BrainPop Jr. online content, as well as 2 new chairs, printer ink, headphones and filament for our Makerbot.

  We have been enjoying the BrainPop Jr. online content every day. This program has videos, games, reading material, quizzes and lots more. The content is topical and current, and so easy to bring up a story or video about whatever subjects we are working on for the day.

  The much needed chairs helped to round out a complete set for each child in the class. They are designed to promote good posture and to be safe and comfortable.

  Restocking our class with printer ink, headphones and plastic filament helps us to utilize the equipment we have in our room to print and write stories, listen quietly to books on tapes and apps on our tablets, and create things on the 3D printer.

  We are truly blessed to have support from generous donors such as you. Thank you again for all that you have done to provide supplies to our classroom!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Lacour

  This classroom project was brought to life by First 5 LA and 2 other donors.