Past projects 66
Math & Science Superstars!
Funded Sep 7, 2022I would like to extend my sincerest gratitude to each donor for helping to support my scholars. Words cannot describe their joy when they saw me bringing in all of the new materials that you helped purchase. They were eager and excited to begin engaging in these STEM activities.
We have began using some of the materials and scholars are already learning and growing. Students enjoy using the straw constructors to create different shapes and objects. Their imaginations are soaring. They love "building" the letters that we've worked on so far. I waited to introduce the drill because I had to purchase batteries, and of my scholars saw it on the label and asked "Where is this tool? I want to use it!" The talking microscope has introduces many important facts about insects and other items from nature. The favorite item introduced, so far, has been the marble run set. Students become engineers as they build the structure and rearrange the pieces to change the direction of the marble.
I am so grateful that you have helped me to provide these experiences to my scholars. These materials will facilitate learning and engage my scholars for years to come.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Ruffner
This classroom project was brought to life by An Anonymous Funder and 5 other donors.Calm & Pleasant Classroom
Funded Sep 7, 2022My scholars and I would like to, once again, thank the Valhalla foundation for single-handedly funding our calm and pleasant classroom. We are extremely grateful for your generosity!
I can already see the impact that these materials have had on my learners and myself. The light covers have prevented headaches, which help me to be my best self for my students. They love to lay back on the carpet and look up at the clouds when they need to relax. They also enjoy looking at the lava dance slowly in the lava lamp and they mimic those slow movements to relax. The lap pads are a favorite among the group! We call them our cuddle friends. They give antsy students something to do with their hands as they listen to stories and have meetings on the carpet.
This project will have a lasting impact on my scholars. Again, we thank you for your support!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Ruffner
This classroom project was brought to life by Valhalla Foundation.A Library Representing Us
Funded Mar 16, 2022Thank you so much for adding to our classroom library! My goal is to have a library and classroom that reflects the diverse population in my class, our community, and the world around us.
My students were very excited when the packages started arriving and they saw characters in books and materials that reflect them: people of color, cultural practices and traditions, and languages. They have enjoyed looking at the books in the class library and in various centers around the room. We read some together as a class and in small groups. My Spanish-speakers enjoy hearing my attempts to read texts in Spanish, and I empower them to become the teachers and I, the student, as they inform me on some of the vocabulary and punctuation. This project was one of the most powerful and my absolute favorite. I have been blessed at the opportunity to witness the joy and knowledge that these materials have brought to my class.
Your unwavering support of our future leaders will have a lasting impact on their engagement, self-esteem, and knowledge. I am so grateful to have this community of donors.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Ruffner
Creative Construction Center
Funded May 18, 2022Thank you so much for your assistance with funding this project. The construction center is always a student favorite, but my learners only had access to the building blocks and play people. I wanted to give them opportunities to play pretend with realistic construction materials and costumes. With these materials, they have been able to discover how machines work, use tools for building, play dress-up, and explore construction work careers.
These new materials have helped to transform our leaning center in a special and meaningful way. I am so appreciative of the difference you've helped to make within my classroom.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Ruffner
Cleanliness & Health
Funded May 8, 2022I want to thank you all so much for your contributions to this project for my class.
As soon as the materials arrived they were put to use. My students have breakfast, lunch, and snack in the classroom and we have been able to wipe the tables before and after each meal. We also practice handwashing at these times and we go through soap very quickly.
The masks have also been very beneficial. At 5 and 6 years old, my students are very hands-on. Wearing masks have reduced instances where my young learners cough or sneeze without their mouths being covered, or put their hands in their mouths and touched classroom materials. Providing these masks has encouraged mask use because students are excited when they get a mask from me that matches their friends' masks.
You have helped to provided us with a more safe and healthy learning environment and we are truly grateful.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Ruffner
Fun Summer Learning
Funded May 2, 2022I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude again for your generous donations to this project.
With your help, I was able to give each student a bag with icicles, sunglasses, Pete The Cat books, masks, flying disks, and chalk. We had a few extra items, which were used at school. Students enjoyed throwing the disks back and forth to each other. They took turns blowing and catching bubbles. They also really enjoyed staying cool with the flavored icicles on those hot last days of school! These materials were the perfect end-of-school-year gifts and students were very appreciative and excited to receive them.
Thank you so much for enabling me to gift my learners with these engaging resources!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Ruffner
This classroom project was brought to life by PNC Grow Up Great® and one other donor.Calming and Coping Corner
Funded Mar 21, 2022I wanted to thank you again for giving so generously to my class. With this project, I wanted to provide a space for my students where they could access resources to help them understand and better control their emotions. It is because of you that I have been able to give them that.
The most favored items were the breathing ball and the emotions mirrors. Students took slow, deep breaths as they filled (opened) the breathing ball and exhaled as they closed it. I used the books to explicitly teach about different emotions, we discussed examples of when we experienced those emotions, and learners practiced making each emotion in the mirror. The beanbag and carpet made our calming corner cozy and comfortable for students and the images on the carpet correlate with the emotions we discuss in the C4L curriculum.
Your contributions to this calming and coping corner has had a tremendous impact on my learners' social-emotional development. We are so appreciative!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Ruffner
Ignite and Excite! Engaging Learning Centers
Funded Mar 27, 2022I wanted to take the time to express my gratitude for your generous contributions to our class. My learners thoroughly enjoyed each and every item that was purchased for our learning centers, and we have YOU to thank for that!
The books were great additions to our classroom library. With them, I was able to engage students while teaching important skills such as asking and answering questions before, during, and after reading, making predictions about a text, retelling stories, and visualizing. The science center materials were used for various activities. Some of the favorites were the sensory bins (in which students got to explore materials with their hands and practice fine motor skills, such as scooping and pouring), the dental model (which students used to practice dental hygiene such as brushing and flossing), and the ever-loved bug playground!
With these engaging materials, my learners were able to make great memories and learn so much. These items will have a lasting impact on my students and will enhance teaching and learning in my classroom for years to come!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Ruffner