Mrs. Olthouse's Classroom Edit display name

Past projects 112

• Hearing With Headphones

  Funded Apr 15, 2018

  Thank you very much for your generous donations towards our classroom getting headphones. We very much appreciate the headphones. We now can learn without being distracted from other devices that are "talking" at the same time. We are loving being able to work on many programs such as Google Classroom, Istation, Xtramath, and Education Galaxy. Having the headphones allow each child an opportunity to hear what their device is telling them to do without distractions from the other devices. Thank you very much for your support ! The students are loving the headphones and thank you.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Olthouse

  This classroom project was brought to life by Verizon and 3 other donors.

• Wiggle While We Work

  Funded Mar 13, 2018

  Thank you so much for supporting our classroom and believing that the students should be able to move throughout the day! The students are so excited to have the two wiggle stools in our classroom. All the students are now wanting a stool. They are using the stools during small group instruction and several have used the stools while sitting around the room working. They love that they are able to sit, work, and wiggle all at the same time! Thank you for letting my students wiggle and work in our classroom.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Olthouse

  This classroom project was brought to life by SONIC Drive-In and 2 other donors.

• Exploring Science

  Funded Nov 13, 2017

  The students are really enjoying using the materials during small groups while in science class. The students have really enjoyed the force and motion kit. Building ramps and courses for their car to go through. The students were really excited when they saw the science materials. They were asking "when do we get to build?" They really love being about to use hands-on materials to learn rather than the book, paper, and pencil. My students are asking everyday to get the science materials out to build and investigate force/motion, simple machines, and gravity. Learning is more engaging when it is interactive. Thank you for helping our class get these science materials. The students are so excited to have them.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Olthouse

  This classroom project was brought to life by General Motors.

• Mastering Our Math Facts

  Funded Dec 11, 2017

  Thank you for your support in creating our homework backpacks. The students are learning the skills during small group instruction in class and then taking the work home. They come back saying, "That was a lot of fun!" and "When do I get the backpack again?" The students are able to take home games that cover topics from the classroom to review with their family. At times the student is teaching someone at home how to play these games without the student realizing this is learning too. Thank you so much for your support in giving "homework" a new identity. Making homework fun and involving family is what it is all about.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Olthouse

  This classroom project was brought to life by Cards Against Humanity and 5 other donors.

• Robotics With LegoEv3

  Funded Dec 10, 2017

  My students are having a blast making our Lego robot. It has been a challenge for these students to put the robot together but their collaboration skills have improved. Having to work close together and collaborate on which pieces to use at first was a challenge. They learned quickly that they would need to talk to each other to figure out which part came next. Once this was established the quick building began. They have loved putting this robot together so much that I do not think they realize how much they were learning. My students are using area and perimeter with the robot, along with following directions from pictures (no teacher help). Next they will be coding the robot to walk and move around. Thank you so much for bringing this activity to my students. We have truly enjoyed learning how to build and code our robot using math, technology, and science.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Olthouse

  This classroom project was brought to life by Overdeck Family Foundation and Simons Foundation and 2 other donors.

• Can You Hear Me?

  Funded Jan 26, 2018

  The students are having so much fun using the headphones through the day. We have used them small groups with Osmo. They we excited and said, "we can pay attention to our device!" And " I can not hear their iPad (and clapped)". We have used the headphones and connectors with our devices and have enjoyed the quieter environment, allowing more focused learning to take place. I appreciate how focused they are on the task at hand now and not worried about the devices around them. Thank you for supporting our classroom and giving us devices that do not "talk" out loud anymore.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Olthouse

  This classroom project was brought to life by The First Million Fund and 2 other donors.

• Fourth Grade is Electric

  Funded Nov 28, 2017

  Thank you for the hands-on science STEM activities. The students are having a blast figuring out how to build a bridge, making an alarm for a supply box, making electrical circuits, and build a dam to stop running water. The students are collaborating in small groups to figure out how to make the STEM project work.

  When the students saw the boxes they kept asking when will we open to see what is in there! Once we opened, the next question was when do we get to make it all. They are having so much fun while working in small groups. I don't think they realize they are learning.

  Thank you again for taking an interest into our classroom and supporting their learning. Hands-on learning is much more fun and memorable.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Olthouse

• Fun Seats For Active Learning

  Funded Nov 22, 2017

  Thank you for your support in getting our classroom some fun seating options. When we opened the boxes they were interested to know what those 3 legged seats were. Once they tried them they were telling others at lunch and recess about these new chairs they have in their classroom. The students are loving using the camping and stadium seats and I am not sure they will want the standard seats anymore. One student said, "this is so much better than our hard blue chair!" I love knowing the are able to relax and be comfortable while learning. Thank you for making this possible.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Olthouse

  This classroom project was brought to life by Born This Way Foundation and 3 other donors.

• Small Group Organization

  Funded Sep 23, 2017

  Thank you for your generous support of our classroom. The students love working in small groups. Having the necessary tools that no longer roll across (tape dispenser) the floor or get stuck every time you try to use them is amazing! The students are overjoyed to have a staples for the group that no longer requires "extra" attention. They are now able to complete assignments and work in small groups using tape and staplers without needing assistance. Saving time for everyone involved. Thank you again for your support in helping the students to be successful!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Olthouse

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

• Discovery STEM Kits

  Funded Oct 9, 2017

  Thank you for your support in our classroom. The students are having a great time learning with the hands on building STEM materials. They are building bridges, 3D shapes, moving structures such as a windmill, and other projects that they think up. Having these materials allows the students to be able to use science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) everyday in small groups. I wish you could here their giggles and excitement while they are building and creating. They are grinning ear to ear once they have figured out a project and are earner to show and explain to anyone that comes into the room. They have a hard time stopping when time is up. Thank you so very much for bringing the STEM activities to our classroom.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Olthouse

  This classroom project was brought to life by SONIC Drive-In.