Past projects 8
Our Colorful World
Funded Aug 14, 2024Thank you so much for believing in the power of education and the power of some amazing fourth grade students!
Our new printer is a huge help to make our projects come to life, especially in a timely manner (I no longer have to ask our office staff to print pages or send it off to a store!). We can beautifully showcase our work, print class-wide incentives, and study pieces of evidence without having to infer what the color-photo looks like!
The photo printer helps to showcase student work around the classroom. When students complete a project, when we have an exciting or event, or when we just want to capture a moment to remember, we can easily print it and reminisce.
I know this can't fully express my gratitude, joy, and thanks enough for your generous contributions, but I am incredibly thankful for your incredible contribution!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Mertan
This classroom project was brought to life by The Gates Foundation and 2 other donors.Backpack Storage for Big Kids
Funded Sep 20, 2023Thank you so much for supporting our classroom. The sigh of relief and buzz of excitement was palpable when I first told the students we would be getting a backpack cart. They were "DONE!" with keeping their backpacks on the ground and loved the thought of a more clutter-free classroom.
The use of a backpack cart at first doesn't seem that effective, but it really makes a difference in our classroom environment. We can now move freely around and the students feel more comfortable when sitting at their desks (no more backpacks crowding their feet! Fifth graders are growing!). We no longer need to concern ourselves with our personal space, but can now focus more on our learning goals. Additionally, the students are having to be more proactive about keeping organized; a great skill to prepare them for middle school.
We use the cart every day and can't imagine having to go back to our pre-cart days. Thank you!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Mertan
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 14 other donors.Brain Flexibility Through Flexible Seating
Funded Aug 5, 2019Wow. Thank you so much for your generous donation to this project. Thank you so much for your belief in education. Thank you so much for your encouragement of an extraordinary group of 5th graders.
As we all know, our current students are our future workforce and it's important to prepare them for success in the "real world." The opportunities that they have to drive their own learning and develop their passions at a young age will help them be successful in the future. Your donation has given them the freedom to cultivate and nurture their creative side and do it in a place that is flexible for their personal needs.
As the year progresses, we will have all of you in mind and be encouraged by your generosity and kind spirits.
Thank you for helping to give my students the tools they need to be as successful as possible. We will apply ourselves and become better because of you.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Mertan
This classroom project was brought to life by J.W. Couch Foundation and 4 other donors.Flexibly Solving Our World's Problems
Funded Oct 19, 2018Wow. Thank you so much for your generous donation to this project. Thank you so much for your belief in education. Thank you so much for your encouragement of an extraordinary group of 5th graders.
As we all know, our current students are our future workforce and it's important to prepare them for success in the "real world." The opportunities that they have to drive their own learning and develop their passions at a young age will help them be successful in the future. Your donation has given them the freedom to learn new skills and do it in a place that is flexible for their personal needs.
They were so excited to see the new set of stools for their constant moving and collaborative work and the news books that guided them along in their "passion projects."
As the year progresses, we will have all of you in mind and be encouraged by your generosity and kind spirits.
Thank you for helping to give my students the tools they need to be as successful as possible. We will apply ourselves and become better because of you.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Mertan
Supplies to Help Us Become Math Masters
Funded Jun 30, 2017Thank you so much for believing in the power of education and the power of some amazing fifth grade students!
In previous years, students have completed this 'By Heart' 'challenge,' but they've never been as excited and motivated to become 'math masters' as they have been this year. With their folders and pens at the ready, the students are constantly asking 'are we doing by heart today?' or saying 'I think I'm ready to pass my fact fluency today!' They are learning about having a growth mindset through this (and other) endeavors by understanding and acknowledging the fact that they may not accomplish their goals on the very first try. Their mantra now is 'I've improved,' or 'I just haven't gotten it... YET!'
In addition, students are loving their binder rings that hold class 'Swag.' Each week the students look for a classmate that has earned a Swag sticker. Swag stickers exemplify mindsets and achievements. Some stickers include 'Mistakes Don't Scare Me,' 'Caught Being Kind,' 'Inspiring,' 'Abstract Thinker,' and so forth. Students also earn swag for achieving By Heart goals. It's motivating and encouraging for students to track their progress on our Swag Wall.
I can't express my gratitude, joy, and thanks enough for your generous contributions. You are all angels to these students and your community!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Mertan
Back to School Supplies and Tech for A Fresh Start
Funded Jul 30, 2016Thank you so much for believing in the power of education and the power of some amazing fifth grade students!
Upon arriving to school on the first day, the students discovered a new binder, a pencil pouch, and a pocket divider waiting for them in their classroom. They were excited to see new school supplies provided SOLELY for their use. I explained to the students how these materials were theirs to keep throughout the year to help them get organized and prepared for middle school. The smiles on their faces were priceless. Many of the students came to school with just a backpack and were leaving on Day 1 with something more that they could call and make their own.
Typically by the end of the first month of school (even with the best intentions!), anything that's new in the classroom is worn down and ready to be replaced (especially school supplies). These supplies are still going strong and in full force.
In addition to the school supplies, the students are loving that we have an Apple TV in the class. They love being able to use the iPad to take pictures of their work for the class to see, to zoom in on pictures or text, and to interact with the internet with ease. The use of the iPad stand allows me to facilitate activities and lessons easier and gives the students more control of their learning. It's amazing!
I can't express my gratitude, joy, and thanks enough for your generous contributions. You are all angels to these students and your community!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Mertan
Back to School Supplies for a Fresh Start
Funded Jul 17, 2015Thank you so much for believing in the power of education and the power of some amazing fifth grade students!
Upon arriving to school on the first day, the students discovered a new binder, a fresh set of pencils, a pencil pouch, and many sheet protectors inside their desk. They were excited to see new school supplies provided solely for their use. I explained to the students how these materials were theirs to keep throughout the year to help them get organized and prepared for middle school. The smiles on their faces were priceless. Many of the students came to school with just a backpack and were leaving on Day 1 with something more that they could call and make their own.
Typically by the end of the first month of school (even with the best intentions!), anything that's new in the classroom is worn down and ready to be replaced (especially school supplies). These supplies were still going strong and in full force. In fact, it's now December and I am pleased to report that ALL students still have their binders and pencil pouches intact and with their own special touches added to them.
The students absolutely love to organize their binders, put their papers in their "right" place, and put those extra special notes/assignments/projects in plain view for their classmates to see. Some students have already told me that they are excited to bring their binders to middle school when "there are so many classes to keep up with!"
In addition to the personal school supplies, students have loved the art materials. Anytime the chalk pastels come out, students are excited. If they're not out and we're working on a project, the first questions becomes "can we use the pastels?" My constructivist/design-based classroom asks students to express their learning in creative ways, so having the choice to use different types of visual multimedia tools is a huge hit in the classroom.
I can't express my gratitude, joy, and thanks enough for your generous contributions. You are all angels to these students and your community!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Mertan
Tech Check: Life in Learning
Funded Feb 23, 2014Thank you so much for believing in the power of education and the power of my amazing fourth grade students! With the iPads that your gracious donation went towards, the students have been able to access new content, shape their own learning, and become more invested in their education!
As soon as the iPads arrived, the students had numerous ideas of how they wanted to use them: play games (educational and non-educational), research topics of interest, connect with other students around the world, and gain more information about topics we were studying in class. Their ideas were endless and the information they now have at their fingertips is endless. I don't know how many times I've already said "you know, I'm not sure what the answer is to that question. Why don't you go do some research?" The students feel empowered with this response and become more active and intrigued learners. The iPads give them more autonomy in class and allow them to be real 21st-century learners!
Though I only have two iPads, they have been monumental in shaping my own teaching. The tools have been used as work centers, for enrichment activities, and as a supplement to guide student work. In addition, I've started teaching research skills and how to discern essential information from non-essential information; a skill that's much more tangible when searching on the tablet.
I can't express my gratitude, joy, and thanks enough for your generous contributions. You are all angels to these students and your own community!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Mertan