Mrs. Hassan's Classroom Edit display name

Current requests

Past projects 3

• Empowering Young Historians: Hands-On Learning Tools for the Win!

  Funded Jan 30, 2025

  Thanks to your incredible generosity, my students now have exciting new resources that are transforming our classroom into a more interactive and engaging learning environment. The arrival of educational games, primary sources, and stickers for prizes has not only enhanced our lessons but has also motivated my students to participate with enthusiasm. The excitement in the room was palpable when they first saw the new materials—many of them immediately started flipping through the primary sources and asking questions about the images and documents. It was a teacher's dream to see students so eager to explore history!

  The educational games have been a game-changer (literally!) for reinforcing key concepts in a fun and meaningful way. One of our favorite activities so far has been a "History Challenge" game, where students compete in teams to answer review questions about major events, key figures, and foundational documents. This friendly competition has made test prep more enjoyable and effective, as students collaborate, think critically, and build confidence in their historical knowledge. Games like these help transform traditional review sessions into highly engaging learning experiences, ensuring that all students are actively involved.

  The primary sources have been particularly impactful in helping students develop critical thinking skills. Instead of simply reading about historical events, they now have access to firsthand documents, speeches, and images that allow them to analyze history through the eyes of those who lived it. For example, when studying the Causes of the Civil War, students examined excerpts from the Lincoln-Douglas debates, firsthand accounts of life on Southern plantations, and political cartoons from the era. These materials sparked meaningful discussions and helped students connect more deeply with the past, reinforcing the importance of analyzing multiple perspectives in history.

  One of the simplest but most powerful additions to our classroom has been the stickers for prizes. While it may seem small, these little rewards have been a huge motivator for students. Whether it's for winning a class game, improving on a quiz, or demonstrating exceptional effort, the stickers have given students an extra boost of encouragement. I've been amazed at how much they value these small tokens of recognition—some have even started collecting them on their notebooks! It's incredible to see how a small gesture can foster a positive learning environment and motivate students to push themselves academically.

  As we move forward, my students will continue to use these resources in upcoming lessons on Reconstruction, Westward Expansion, and Industrialization. The primary sources will help us explore personal narratives from formerly enslaved individuals, analyze political cartoons about westward migration, and examine factory workers' perspectives from the Industrial Revolution. Meanwhile, the educational games will keep learning fun and engaging as we review key concepts.

  This project has truly enriched our classroom, and none of it would have been possible without the generosity of our donors. From interactive learning opportunities to motivating rewards, these materials have helped create a more dynamic and exciting classroom experience. Thank you for believing in my students and investing in their education!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Hassan

  This classroom project was brought to life by The Montgomery Family Fund and 3 other donors.

• Bringing Social Studies to Life

  Funded Jan 26, 2025

  Thanks to the generosity of our amazing donors, my students and I have been able to enhance our learning experience in ways that have made a real difference in our classroom. The excitement on their faces when they saw the new materials was priceless! From dry-erase markers to colorful paper and laminating pouches, each item has played a vital role in making our lessons more interactive, engaging, and effective.

  One of the biggest game-changers has been the dry-erase markers. We use them daily for review games, quick checks for understanding, and collaborative activities. Instead of relying solely on traditional paper-and-pencil work, my students now work out answers on small whiteboards during group discussions, making learning more dynamic and allowing me to assess their understanding in real-time. This has particularly helped during STAAR test prep, where students can work through practice questions in a low-pressure, hands-on way. Seeing them confidently jot down answers, make corrections, and explain their reasoning to their classmates has been incredible.

  The laminating pouches have also been a fantastic addition to our classroom. I've used them to create reusable study guides, vocabulary cards, and timeline activities that students can interact with over and over again. For example, we recently worked on a Civil War timeline project, where students had to arrange key events in the correct order. By laminating the pieces, we turned this into a hands-on matching game that students can revisit throughout the year. These reusable materials not only save paper but also make learning more engaging and sustainable.

  The construction paper and colored paper have added a creative element to our social studies lessons. Students recently worked on a Reform Movements Poster Project, where they researched influential figures like Frederick Douglass, Dorothea Dix, and Susan B. Anthony. Using the bright, high-quality paper, they created eye-catching visuals that showcased each reformer's contributions. These posters are now displayed around the room, turning our walls into a learning resource that reinforces important content.

  One of the most unique ways we've used the magnets is for an interactive "Who Am I?" historical figures activity. I wrote key clues about important people in U.S. history on magnetic strips, and students had to match them to the correct historical figure posted on the board. This activity got them moving, thinking critically, and discussing history in a fun and meaningful way.

  Beyond the immediate excitement of using these new resources, the impact on student engagement has been noticeable. Students are more eager to participate, take ownership of their learning, and collaborate with their peers. Instead of simply memorizing dates and facts, they are interacting with history in ways that make it more memorable and meaningful.

  As we continue through the school year, these supplies will allow us to keep building engaging learning experiences. Up next, we'll be diving into Reconstruction and Westward Expansion, and I plan to use our laminated materials, colored paper, and magnets for more interactive stations, debates, and student-led projects.

  This project has truly enriched our classroom, and none of it would have been possible without the kindness and generosity of our donors. From all of us in my 8th-grade social studies class, thank you for making a lasting impact on our learning!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Hassan

  This classroom project was brought to life by The Montgomery Family Fund and 3 other donors.

• Bringing History to Life

  Funded Dec 2, 2019

  Thank you for supporting my students. We have already begun using the educational games to help prepare for the upcoming STAAR test. We have also used the glue, scissors, and colored pencils almost daily in World Geography class.

  When the boxes started to arrive, my students were so excited! It was like Christmas at school! They helped me open each box and displayed our goodies to the rest of the class. The pencils made an immediate impact, as my students who come without every day know exactly who will help them. Even students who I do not have will come to me because they know I will lend them the supplies they need without them getting in trouble for being unprepared.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Hassan

  This classroom project was brought to life by Anonymous Supporter and 10 other donors.