Mrs. Thomas' Classroom Edit display name

Current requests

Past projects 9

• Taking a Literary Journey Through Darkness

  Funded Oct 25, 2019

  Thank you so much for your generosity. Just this week my students were asking what's next on the agenda after we finish our current novel. I can't wait to tell them these books are on the way. They will be so excited. Your contribution has definitely had an impact on my class this year.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Thomas

• Horror in Literature: Scaring Students Into Become Avid Readers!

  Funded Mar 6, 2019

  Thank you so much for your generosity. These books have been an invaluable addition to our classroom. I created the Horror in Literature course this year and we have been woefully under stocked with books for the new curriculum. This donation has made a huge difference.

  As this is a Senior class, I am teaching the students skills for reading that they will be able to take with them into college. We are especially focusing on how to discuss literature and preparing for these discussions through the use of annotations. Having a high interest book like Watchers, certainly helps with this.

  The students are loving the book and I love hearing them walk into class discussing the previous night's reading assignment. Seeing these kids actually enjoying reading a "school" book and actively discussing it on their own is exactly what I was hoping for with this project. Your donation has made a lasting impression on these students.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Thomas

• Success Through Training

  Funded Mar 27, 2018

  Thank you so much for your generosity. Through the utilization of the equipment you provided during our off season training, our student-athletes were adequately prepared to face the challenges of our strenuous season. Our conditioning contributed significantly to the minimization of injuries suffered this season! The athletes themselves felt as if they were better prepared which led to their feeling more confident both on the field and in the classrooms. Your contributions have helped change our players' lives for the better and I cannot thank you enough!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Thomas

  This classroom project was brought to life by DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation - Sports Matter and one other donor.

• Lessons From the Gridiron

  Funded May 30, 2017

  Thank you for your generosity in providing our student athletes with these quality focus pads. The utilization of these pads has enabled our students to approach training with a new vigor and excitement. The kids were excited to receive this new equipment and have asked that I convey their gratitude to you, our donors, for making our training sessions possible. Our training sessions provide these youngsters with a unique venue to develop athletic skills while avoiding the problems that are all too frequently occurring in our Bronx neighborhood.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Thomas

  This classroom project was brought to life by DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation - Sports Matter and one other donor.

• 13 Reasons Why - Exploring Tough Subjects Through Literature

  Funded Sep 2, 2015

  Thank you so much for your very generous donation of the book Thirteen Reasons Why. Rather than read the book as a whole class with daily assignments I opted to create mini book club groups and let the students read on their own at their own pace. Each week the students met with a group and discussed what they had read to date. It was amazing to see the level of discussion and interaction taking place. Every student was engaged and I was impressed with the topics they brought up on their own. This allowed the students to read without any pressure and it allowed them to decide what they wanted to discuss. I'm hoping that this will foster an interest in reading for pleasure as well as teach them how to bring their own thoughts and feelings to a discussion about literature.

  After completing the book I had several students ask me if they could keep it because they wanted a friend or family member to read it too. I also had students ask me for recommendations of books they could read on their own as well as ask if they could "do the book club thing" again. It was wonderful to see my students so interested in reading.

  This project was a great success and I am grateful for you donation, which made it possible.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Thomas

• What Ophelia Knew! Hamlet's Story Through Her Eyes

  Funded Dec 7, 2013

  Thank you again for your very generous donation. The students were absolutely thrilled with the books. They were especially appreciative of the fact that these were not "school" books but rather were provided to them by people who are really interested in helping the young people of today, even if they don't know them personally.

  We were able to use the books along side of William Shakespeare's Hamlet. The students really enjoyed being able to put a modern spin on the tale and the female students loved seeing the story told from Ophelia's perspective. It generated a lot of discussions about relationships and dating issues. It was really great to see the students get so involved in one of Shakespeare's works.

  Having taught Shakespeare for over 10 years now, I was immediately able to see the interest level of the students rise when I added the modern novel to the mix. I look forward to teaching this lesson again next year and am already looking at how I can incorporate this idea with other classic novels. It made a huge difference in my class this year.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Thomas

• Magic Spell for Creating an Interest in Reading

  Funded Jan 1, 2012

  I can't thank you enough for your generous gift to my school and to my 9th grade class in particular. With the help of your donation my classes established book clubs in which the students read The Grimm Legacy in groups, ran discussion sessions and completed literary projects. This would not have been possible without your help.

  The book club gave many students their first exposure to reading a book in school without the pressure of tests and essays but for the sole enjoyment of it and for a chance to share their ideas and thoughts with a small group of peers. They loved the independence and freedom with which they were allowed to work and many expressed to me their appreciation for being able to participate in such program.

  Such donations also show our students that there are people out there who also care about their future and their success. Thank you again.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Thomas

• From Movies to Mythology

  Funded Jan 1, 2011

  Thank you so much for your generous donation. I cannot tell you how excited my students were to receive their own copy of a book. Usually they are given a book that they have to return to the school so they loved the fact that they could underline and make notes in the margins of their own book.

  Using this book in conjunction with the movie has dramatically improved their interest in reading and their ability to make inferences and connections. Your donation has aided in creating an enthusiastic learning environment in which the students are eager to get to the day's work.

  It has also provided a great opportunity for the students to learn about altruism and the kindness of strangers and for them to see that all of society is invested in seeing them succeed. I encourage my students to be inspired by your example and "pay it forward" in the future.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Thomas

  This classroom project was brought to life by American Express Members Project and 3 other donors.

• Education Through Organization

  Funded Aug 25, 2010

  I can't thank you enough for your generosity in sponsoring my project. My students were thrilled to get their binders in September and they have had a huge impact in the classroom. I no longer have to worry about students losing their notes or assignments. We keep the binders in the classroom so their work is always right where they need it. Many of my students have told me that they wish their other teachers had a system like this in place for them as well.

  Thank you again. You have shown my students that there are very kind and generous people out there and you have made a difference in so many lives.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Thomas