Past projects 6
Financial Literacy and the Great Depression
Funded Sep 19, 2024Thank you for bringing this STEM/financial literacy project to life for my students. Students are currently reading a book that is set during the Great Depression. As such we have learned a bit about the stock market and how finances impact our everyday lives. Students have even made a connection between the struggle during those times and the struggle during Covid for many of their own families.
Students are using the iPad and scanner to plan family budgets to see just how difficult it was during those times and how families had to make sacrifices. Students set up a "store" in class and used it to shop to see if they were able to stay within budget and then had to make a plan to show how they could make those items last as long as possible. Students who took an interest in the stock market have also enjoyed the game we purchased and have been meeting during lunch to play. Additionally, they are using free stock resources they can access on the iPad to play with their own pretend stocks. These opportunities would not have been possible without your support of our classroom.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Peterson
This classroom project was brought to life by Charles Schwab Foundation and one other donor.Flexible Learning
Funded Dec 4, 2023We can not begin to thank you for the gift of chairs, stools, sensory stripes, and graphic novels for our classroom. Since our items arrived, I have been able to offer flexible seating to students during silent reading and certain class assignments. Each time there is a new group of students interested in choosing a floor seat or stool and it has been amazing watching them get comfortable, stretch, rock and be more focused on the work they are doing as a result. It has given them an opportunity to move and learn in a way that helps them feel safe and confident. I've noticed an increase in work production and a decrease in distracting behaviors as a result of these tools.
When our items arrived students were excited to see the many boxes rolled into the classroom and eager to help set up our new items. A large group of students volunteered to come at lunch to eat and then help open the packages. They worked together breaking down boxes, assembling stools and deciding on the best places in the classroom to store them. They even sat and read for a few minutes to "try everything out." Others happily helped label our new books and restock our bookshelf. I am excited to continue to offer these flexible learning tools to students and see the positive impact on students.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Peterson
This classroom project was brought to life by A family that cares about Boston and 2 other donors.More Books!
Funded Nov 21, 2021Thank you for sharing the gift of reading with my students. They have been so excited each and every time a new box of books has arrived. During choice reading time, I love watching them search the shelves for a perfect book, but even more so it has a been a joy watching them refer a book to a friend when they have finished. They are really loving the book choices and topics and they are sharing those stories with one another.
We have had some especially gloomy days this winter with clouds and grey skies. The pure joy when I announce mid class that we're going to have DEAR time (Drop Everything and Read) is something I can't describe. They make themselves comfortable and dive into their books. You have given them such a gift as they live & learn through these book characters and experiences. Thank you for supporting our classrooms and all of my readers.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Peterson
Reading Nooks & Books!
Funded Oct 21, 2021Thank you for allowing me to bring these wonderful reading supplies into the classroom. On the day our chairs and books arrived, the custodians left a huge pile of boxes in the front of my classroom. I was surprised to see them, and I knew the kids would be too.
When students came to class that day they immediately wanted to know what was in the boxes. I took the time to tell them about my project and how each of you made it possible. They were truly moved and promised to respect our new supplies and books. We also talked about being grateful for the gifts given to us by others and paying it forward.
Each class helped to unpack a few boxes and put out the new supplies so that everyone could enjoy the fun of opening brand new chairs and books! They organized the books and found a perfect spot in the classroom to stack the chairs while they were not in use. By the next day, during our choice reading time, students were spread throughout the room relaxing and reading. Every new book is checked out already! You truly brought a smile to their faces and made them feel loved and cared for with your gift.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Peterson
Remote Classroom Library
Funded Dec 1, 2020Thank you for the donations that make the new additions to our classroom library possible. Students loved having a brand new variety of books and characters to choose from. They have even had a chance to spend a few beautiful, socially distanced days outside on the lawn reading; a welcome change to being at lone desks in a classroom with masks on.
Students are reading right now with the purpose of choosing four activities from a choice board to complete about their books. Many of choosing projects that discuss the diverse new characters in our books and the challenging situations some of them find themselves in. Others are focused on theme and are working to create word art and soundtracks that help explain the rich themes and lessons throughout their books. Still others are focused on setting, plot and the beautiful, rich figurative language in other books.
My struggling readers have been especially drawn the new titles chosen with them in mind. Likewise, I have a group of young men and women this year who aspire to join the military some day. They are loving the books related to those themes!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Peterson
This classroom project was brought to life by FamilyAlbum and 4 other donors.Room 126 Reading Nook
Funded Mar 20, 2019Thank you for this wonderful gift of a reading area for our sixth grade classroom. On the day that our supplies arrived I elicited the help of a few students. Among them two students who had suggested the creation of a reading area, which gave me the motivation to search for funding to finally create a space I had intended to "get to" for many years. Those students helped to carry our new rug and chairs to my room and gave up their lunch and recess to unpack and set up our now beloved "reading nook." They were excited to be the first to use the area and even more proud to welcome their peers into class afterwards where they were surprised with the new area. Together as a class, we drafted some expectations for use of the new space as the students were eager to use it and wanted it to stay as nice as it was that first day.
On a typical day in our classroom a small group of students come before school to complete homework or nightly reading that they couldn't do at home. After a quick greeting is extended to me, bags are dropped on desks and they race over to the rug to either claim a reclining chair or lay on rug and curl up with their work and a pillow. They are focused and comfortable and it warms my heart since I know some of the don't have a safe, warm spot like this outside of school. During our day, when we break out on our own or in groups to complete an assignment we pulled sticks to see which groups or individuals can start out in the reading nook. We take 20-30 min. turns and then those sticks are removed until everyone has had a turn throughout the week then we start the process all over again. At the end of the day, another group of students remains to stay after and lounge in our space completing homework before heading home. I love that the kids are eager to arrive early and willing to stay late. It confirms how needed this space was. As fun, comfortable, unique and functional as it is, it is most importantly a safe space in their classroom surrounded by peers and teachers they trust and for some that means the world.
I had a baby over the summer and have not yet returned to the classroom, but from what I've heard from the sub and my former and current students, our space is well used, loved and respected. Students recently finished a literature circle project and groups spent time in the nook reading and discussing the books and sharing how they personally related to the many message presented in the texts. When I return, my former students who were responsible for getting this project completed last year wrote to me with another proposal to start a weekly book club after school using their reading nook. I am looking forward to getting that going and love that this area have provided a space for learning, relating, sharing, and understanding. Moreover it has encouraged students to pick up a book and make a friend. Thank you for this gift that will forever have a special place in my classroom.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Peterson