Past projects 3
Vertical Learners Reaching New Heights
Funded Sep 2, 2024On behalf on my students, I would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation for your very generous gift. The Schoen Foundation was very kind to support our classroom project, and we use the materials that were given to us on a daily basis.
This year, our building embarked on a new journey into Vertical Learning. I had limited resources to make that happen, but wanted to ensure that our students had an opportunity to participate. The Schoen Foundation supplied us with so many supplies to make vertical learning and group work happen.
We use the magnets to hang up our work and daily problems, and the Command hooks help us hang up our supplies. Students can work on the floor in groups with seat cushions, and each group gets a supply kit with markers, erasers, and Expo spray to help them use the vertical boards. We use the magnetic poly folders to hang writing prompts, or reading passages to discuss. The students have been able to work collaboratively to find text evidence and write thoughtful reading responses as a team. They have increased their ability to write independent extended responses with this method.
The greatest impact has been in math! Students are working hard to solve complex math problems in novel ways. No two students learn the same way, and we work hard to make sure kids have strategies to use to reason through their math work. Students are working in collaborative groups to problem solve, justify, and explain their thinking. As I work with groups around the room, I can see the process the students are following, and instantly see what they need. I can catch errors quickly and give timely mini-lessons to help kids get back on track. I am fascinated to see the many ways that kids attack complex word problems and the strategies that they use. I have submitted a few pictures of their different models for the same multiplicative comparison problem.
Not a day goes by that the students aren't asking to use "the boards". They love group learning, and they love to get their thinking up on the board. Vertical Learning has improved their motivation to learn, ensures a safe learning environment, creates strong collaboration, and makes learning FUN!
With sincere appreciate, our class thanks you for all that you have provided to make our class a fun and engaging place to learn!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Lineberger
Math Groups Are Fun!
Funded Aug 27, 2023Our class would like to thank you for your very generous donation to our classroom. We received all of the items and we have already started using them math materials.
I host small groups for math and reading every day. We had old and wobbly stools that were not very safe for the students. We now have some lovely, sturdy stools that students do not have to worry about falling with. I can seat six students comfortably for small groups. They were so excited to see the new furniture!
The children have also started to use the math tools. I have hosted several small groups helping students to learn advanced multiplication. In the past we had to draw pictures of our area models. With the new tools, students can construct the area models and then draw them to create more accurate answers and a deeper understanding of multiplication. The place value pieces help the students to visually demonstrate place value in multiplication.
I have also been able to helps some students gain more math facts with the fact wraps. They are able to independently practice math facts that they have struggled with over the years. They are now able to use those gained facts as they solve multiplication problems. The best part is that they are having fun while they learn.
Thank you so much for all of the great math tools and stools. You have made small group safer and more fun for our students!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Lineberger
This classroom project was brought to life by Colorado Department of Education.Children, Children, What Do You See?
Funded Aug 13, 2012I am writing today to send you our sincerest thanks for you generosity. We truly appreciate the donation of a document camera to our classroom. We use the document camera every day, all day long. We have used the camera to view texts in every subject, and have the capability to zoom in on the text so that it is large enough for all of the students to see. The students have viewed samples and replicas of The Constitution and The Declaration of Independence that once sat lifelessly on a wall and were too difficult to read. We made those documents come to life! We have also used the camera to view enlarged text of their assigned reading books. Many of my students who have vision impairments really appreciate this option, but all of the students benefit.
I use the document camera for every lesson because it allows me to model for each assignment in an authentic format. I model reading and writing responses frequently, and it is nice to have the freeze option to only show the students one step of the project at a time. While they are working on one portion, I can prepare the next. Students are also excited to use the document camera during our daily language instruction time because they all want to come up with a correction so that they can use the camera! It has made a once dry lesson into something exciting. I also use the document camera during our intensive reading intervention class. The students and I read a passage together with the zoom feature, I freeze the text, we highlight unknown vocabulary, and we explore the new words together in a vocabulary journal. I use the document camera for the whole session. The students have even gotten so used to the features that they are able to operate it on their own!
My students also benefit from the document camera during math and science. The students are able to come up to the camera to show their work on the math challenge of the day. It is wonderful to see them explain and demonstrate their math reasoning and problem solving with the other children. It has revolutionized the way that we do our math talk sessions. I can also take any written problem from a book or worksheet and work on it with the students, without having to wait for the copier or a transparency. And, I can model using manipulatives that I would never be able to use on an overhead projector. Using a ruler to measure can be a very difficult task, especially when it comes to reading millimeters or fractions of an inch. With the zoom feature I can enlarge the ruler so that all of the students can see exactly what I am trying to explain to them about incremental measures. It is fantastic, and is making math much easier for students who struggled in the past. In science I use the document camera to model labs and safety procedures. The students are enthralled with the graduated cylinders and syringes that we are using for chemistry because they can now see them well enough to understand what I want them to learn.
I cannot thank you enough for the document camera! This one piece of technology has transformed my learners from static individuals who work from a workbook, into learners who actively engage in and discuss their learning. Document cameras are highly sought after because of their many merits, but with funding cuts and strained budgets they are almost impossible to get. By your generosity my students have not missed out on the rich learning opportunities that can be provided, and for that I am truly grateful. My students love the camera so much that each of them wrote a letter to you, and I would love the opportunity to share them with you if you will forward me a mailing address. I know that they are not required, but our class wanted to show how much they appreciate you. Thank you again!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Lineberger