Past projects 35
Readers are Leaders!
Funded Nov 27, 2023Developing the habit of INDEPENDENT reading is essential to students' matriculation at all levels from elementary school to graduate school.
Our students from 2nd grade through grade 5 participate in an independent reading program designed to measure comprehension. Successful students receive points for their efforts that then translate into prizes on a weekly basis.
This project is the treasure box that provides those prizes, and helps keep the students excited about reading--we all love an incentive!
Just a final notice, the students' all have data folders where they keep track of their progress in all areas including independent reading. This data is used to set goals, and to meet them.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Leiting
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community & an Anonymous Partner and 10 other donors.Readers are Leaders!
Funded Aug 3, 2023If you're reading this, someone taught you how to read! You probably remember sitting in groups taking turns reading a book, talking about the characters, setting, problem, solution, and how the characters were feeling. But there's more to learning how to read, and this project is at the heart of that.
Accelerated Reading is a computer program that helps teachers manage and monitor childrens' INDEPENDENT READING. Why is that important? Independent reading improves comprehension, develops vocabulary and pushes fluency. It's the most important skill to champion in elementary school.
Your support of rewards for students as they earn points reading and passing comprehension tests, creates an important incentive to support young readers. They get so excited when I wheel the cart into the classroom every Friday. In addition to that, my readers all know how many points they've earned! They're so motivated!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Leiting
This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 3 other donors.Grace and Kate...We Can't Wait!
Funded Jan 12, 2023It's time to say thank you for your donation to Grace and Kate We Can't Wait!
As adults, we all understand the importance, and the joy, of reading. Youngsters in elementary school, on the other hand, need a bit of convincing. Moreover, littles from impoverished homes often need more than convincing--they need resources.
The Grace and Kate... project, sought to bring two authors into the classroom via Google Meet, and provide a rare opportunity for students to get to know them, to get a rare glimpse of how authors think, write, and value their audience. Moreover, the authors focused on their most current collaboration, "Once Upon a Book", a modern folktale about the joy of reading. The students loved it, and the book became an instant hit.
Finally, your generosity provided our school library with "Once Upon a Book" and several other titles from both authors Grace Linn and Kate Messner.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Leiting
Readers Are Leaders!
Funded Nov 14, 2022As described in the project, students are reading INDEPENDENTLY, and, in the process, garnering the all important reading habits and processes needed to build strong readers. This digital reading program helps educators, and volunteers like me, monitor students' independent reading, and check for understanding. Moreover, data driven, the results are used to continually move students into books at or above their zpd range, and push them to reach expected reading levels.
Our students are independently reading an average of 30-45 minutes a day.
As a member of the Accelerated Reader team, I'm in charge of celebrations. Part of that includes providing incentives for our students who participate. As can see, the children are delighted to claim their weekly prizes for their efforts.
Thanks for your support!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Leiting
Readers Reap Rewards!
Funded Nov 29, 2022As you can see from the photos, our celebration was a huge success.The fruit snacks, cakes and cookies were greatly appreciated and enjoyed, as we recognized and celebrated these students for meeting their self-prescribed reading goals.
Reading is a valuable asset to focus on, especially with our youngest students, as students' futures are shaped by their ability to read with stamina, clarity, and, hopefully, enjoyment! We have all been there. Whether reading for enjoyment, or reading for the vital information shared to accomplish a graduation from elementary school, middle school, high school, college, career, and beyond, we must be vigilant in developing reading habits that last a lifetime. In addition, it's important that educators , parents, volunteers, and, in this case, donors champion this objective with those who carry our future in their hands. Finally, teaching students to set their own "self-prescribed" reading goals is, for some, the most difficult and challenging aspect of becoming a strong reader. Rest assured that our Accelerated Reading Program is an important tool to reach all these milestones, and YOU, in supporting this project, are one of the key elements toward reaching these goals.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Leiting
This classroom project was brought to life by an Anonymous Classroom Supporter and one other donor.The Ultimate Brain Workout!
Funded Jan 14, 2022My students were so excited to see this pint size couch in their reading area. They couldn't check-out books fast enough to get over there and try it out.
Not a day goes by that one, two, sometimes, three kiddos are relaxingon the couch READING!
Over the winter months, I have a crackling fireplace next to the couch, and we actually have to draw names for the lucky students who get to read there.
Thank you so much for your continued support. My plan was to add to the area, but I have decided to retire! The couch will have a permanent place in the library, and I'm sure that the students will enjoy it for years to come.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Leiting
This classroom project was brought to life by Panda Cares and 4 other donors.The Diverse and Empathetic Classroom
Funded Aug 13, 2021The library looks awesome. We are in the process of hanging our diverse border. Our library is huge, and it is a work in progress.
We are using the book rack to showcase our new releases that are, often, books of a diverse nature. It has been a huge push for our library department in our district to take stock of our books to ensure current, diverse titles that represent all Americans.
Finally, the magnetic letters are so fun for the kids to create words that they heard in the read aloud. These hands-on activites are the best way to engage kiddos, and to get the learning to "stick".”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Leiting
This classroom project was brought to life by Bill Gates and 2 other donors.Let Me Show You, Teacher!
Funded Jul 29, 2021Early Childhood Kinesthetic Learners learn best when provided with opportunities to physically touch or try something on their own.
Students require multi-sensory learning opportunities to hear or see to learn, so they can reinforce their learning by trying things out or rehearsing. Students of all ages learn best by doing.
This project provided me with 5 fantastic hands-on learning opportunities for early childhood students. For example, the Mouse Paint acitivity kit came with a big story book, 3 colored and 3 vinyl white mice, 3 vinyl "puddles" demonstrating what happens when 2 colors are mixed, and 10 activity cards. The students used the props and activity cards to retell the story--an important activity to measure comprehension, to practice sequencing, and to understand concepts of print.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Leiting
Readers are Leaders
Funded Jun 16, 2021The Readers are Leaders project supports a viable reading program for our INDEPENDENT readers. The Accelerated Reading program "puts students in the driver's seat", and supports student reading by providing testing to level students' reading capacity, and providing quizzes to measure comprehension.
This project was created to provide "incentives' for their efforts. Students keep a data folder where they set goals for all subjects. One of their goals is to increase their independent reading scores. As students accumulate points, we reward them with a trinket.
All week long, students ask if I'm doing prizes. I say, "Yes!" Students hail me in the hall, and call out, with pride, their current AR reading level and points. I say, "Awesome!"
Clearly, this project provides an important element to the success of our student led reading program.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Leiting
This classroom project was brought to life by UScellular and 5 other donors.I Can WRITE My Name!
Funded Jan 7, 2021I'm still in a state of shock that penmanship isn't taught in school. Yes, we are in the digital age, but loosing something that refects our humanity and our personal narrative is too difficult for me to give up.
Teaching students how to write their names is the first thing that happens in Kindergarten! I taught K/1 for 12 years, and the moment they can write their names, they feel a real connection to the world--not to mention the pride they feel when they can do it, "All by myself!" They are SOMEBODY!
My students enjoy the time we have together practicing our penmanship. When they can easily and proudly write their name on their driver's licesnses, military induction papers, marriage certificates, mortgages, ballots, and all things that require our signatures, they will be able to do so with no hesitation. For that, I am grateful.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Leiting