Mrs. Zambito's Classroom Edit display name

Past projects 14

• "Sensing the Difference!"

  Funded Nov 22, 2024

  The new reading materials have been excellent and effective resources for my students. I use the materials in small groups to work on specific skills needed in each reading group. The gel liquid letters have been a huge hit! My students were so excited to get their hands on these letters. These gel liquid letters have helped the children learn letter names as they touch and squeeze the letters, and work on correct letter formation. It is so fun and engaging as the children are learning through tactile experiences. One of my reading groups enjoys using the write and wipe CVC cards. This is very interactive and they are learning to build CVC words and blending to read the words. Our next step is to begin reading the Word Family Readers. The goal for my students is to become readers by the end of kindergarten. I've been using cut and paste and ink dobber sound sheets from TPT materials to reinforce the skills I've taught. All of my students are benefiting from these sensory approaches.

  My class and I thank you so much! Your kindness and generosity has made this project successful, but most of all, you have helped me get my children ready to become good readers.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Zambito

• "Sounds" Likes A Winner!

  Funded Aug 3, 2023

  Thank you for your support! My students are very engaged and motivated when using the letter pop-its manipulatives. These have become a staple in my intervention lessons. In the lower grades, my students are learning letter and sound relationships using the pop-its while Alexa (owl) sings the alphabet song. They are also practicing phonemic awareness skills of segmenting and blending CVC words on the pop-its. Alexa (owl) helps my students with syllable clapping, and with counting in math groups.

  The mirrors have been very helpful to my struggling learners. They get to practice making sounds as they watch the correct tongue and mouth position from the visual. I have noticed improvements in first sound fluency with my students, and I believe it is from continued use of the sound mirrors.

  My older students enjoy using the letter pop-its for spelling words. We practice the six syllable types and my students pop the letters and write the word. Then, we confirm the spelling with Alexa (owl). My students are now excited about writing!

  This has been by far the most successful project for increasing my students' reading and math skills! I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Zambito

  This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and one other donor.

• "The Rich Get Richer, and the Poor Get Poorer"

  Funded May 17, 2022

  Thank you again for donating to my project! The word games have been a fun way to build vocabulary with my students. Even though we've only been in school for a couple of months, I am seeing growth and progress as the children have been using more of the multisyllabic words in their writing and in their conversations. It's so exciting to see how much my students are learning. Marzano's research shows that games which target essential academic content enhance student achievement. My students are learning new vocabulary while having a great time!

  Thank you all!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Zambito

• Get Hooked on Books with a Buddy!

  Funded Mar 17, 2021

  The reading buddies were a hit! My students adore their little reading lamb buddies. This project has made a huge difference in their motivation to read. When the children practice with their reading buddy, they exhibit more confidence and are more willing to read out loud to me. This was exactly the goal! The more they practice, the better readers they become. I can not thank you all enough for your generosity and kindness. Without you all, this would not have been possible. My students and I really appreciate you all!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Zambito

  This classroom project was brought to life by Allstate Foundation and 4 other donors.

• "When Life Deals Out Lemons, Make Lemonade!"

  Funded Oct 23, 2020

  Thank you for supporting my project. The portable white board has helped tremendously! It gives my students a close up visual for letter identification and letter sounds. I also use it for spelling cvc words and other syllable types. The teacher pay teacher materials were effective for creating take home packets for those children unable to get access to online learning. Additionally, the teacher worksheets were used in small group work with students to reinforce reading skills that were taught previously. Thank you all again for making this project successful!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Zambito

  This classroom project was brought to life by An Anonymous Donor and 2 other donors.

• When You Care Enough to Read the Very Best

  Funded Jun 27, 2020

  My students are so thankful for your generosity! They enjoy listening to the books as a read aloud, but also enjoy reading the books to the little boys and girls in kindergarten.

  My students practice their reading of the stories in several different ways. First, they listen to my read aloud. Then, we echo read together. Independent reading follows as they use a tape recorder to hear their own reading and self-reflect. Next, they read with a partner. And, finally, my students read to me before reading to the little ones. This has been a very successful approach to getting my students motivated to read.

  Sharing classic children's books with my class and having them share these classics with the kindergarten classes has given them not only motivation to read, but it has increased their self-confidence in reading and it has exposed them to some of the best stories ever written.

  Thank you for your support and kindness!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Zambito

  This classroom project was brought to life by A group of anonymous donors and 3 other donors.

• "One Size Does NOT Fit All"

  Funded Jan 2, 2019

  The iPads have been a very motivating tool for my students. I can't thank you all enough for your support! My students particularly enjoy the hands-on lessons. We currently are working on developing spatial awareness and logic skills. The students use the iPads to connect to the Osmos tangrams in which they can practice these skills. My kinesthetic learners are very successful with this blended learning opportunity.

  Most of my students were excited to use the iPads for reading fluency practice. The iPads have cameras and microphones built in for the children to capture their poem on a picture and record their reading practice.

  All of my students are benefiting from incorporating the iPads into reading and math lessons. Paired fluency readings on the iPads are especially helpful for my struggling readers.

  Thanks again for believing in my project, and helping my students achieve success!

  Sincerely,

  Mrs. Zambito”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Zambito

  This classroom project was brought to life by Verizon and 7 other donors.

• "An Out-of-This-World" Field Trip

  Funded Apr 14, 2018

  My students were so excited when they arrived at Wheeling Jesuit University. The activities were very engaging for the children. Many of the children found the most enjoyment in building a rocket and then getting to launch it outside. They learned that working in teams is often best when trying to solve difficult problems.

  Several of the children exclaimed that they liked the challenge of figuring out how to make the circuit work for the light to turn on, and yet others couldn't stop chatting about the star dome. As the school year moves forward, we will soar into finding facts about the planets and the sun.

  All in all, it was a fun learning adventure for my students.

  Thanks again for your generosity!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Zambito

  This classroom project was brought to life by Chevron Appalachia and one other donor.

• "Inquiring Young Minds Want to Know!"

  Funded May 13, 2018

  My students were super excited to attend this trip to the Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh. All of the displays and activities were very engaging! Many of the children who had negative outlooks about "science" did a complete turn-around after this experience, and now enjoy school science activities!

  The experience of an earthquake was a major highlight for the children. The students were able to sit in a restaurant booth and feel the effects of an earthquake. They were absolutely intrigued!

  The next unit of focus will be related to natural disasters since earthquakes triggered such a positive response from my students.

  Thank you again for making this trip possible! For most of my students, this will be the only time they visit the Carnegie Science Center. You have made a huge difference in their education, and in their lives!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Zambito

  This classroom project was brought to life by Chevron Appalachia and one other donor.

• Reading Under the Stars: A "Stellar" Approach to Enjoying Nonfiction

  Funded Aug 4, 2017

  The resources were used for a family night in third grade. It was a great success! The families listened to me read a story about stars, and then the lights went out and the star projectors lit up the ceiling. Everyone oohed and cheered! Families then read together under the bed of stars using the flashlights. They enjoyed a snack and they got to keep the book. The purpose of the event was to encourage the students to read more nonfiction books.

  Many of the parents expressed how much they enjoyed the event and loved the book on constellations!

  Thank you for helping with this reading program. Your support means the world to us!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Zambito

  This classroom project was brought to life by Chevron Appalachia and 4 other donors.