Past projects 37
Wishes Do Come True
Funded Mar 27, 2018Today my students and I opened a box from Amazon containing a class set of the books "Wishtree" by Katherine Applegate!
Donors, you have provided the ability to put a book into a child's hand. Allowed us to read the same book all at the same time. To be able to see the words on the text as a fluent reader is reading. To interact with each other in a way that is so unique, powerful and true to life...you can't understand the true impact.
I look forward to reading this book with my students. To reflecting, questioning and discussing. A book club, third grade style.
Typing the words "thank you" is not nearly enough. But...THANK YOU! We are so grateful.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Heather Stewart
This classroom project was brought to life by Ripple and one other donor.Author Visit With Kevin Emerson!
Funded Sep 13, 2017Today, February 15, author Kevin Emerson visited our classroom! We had just finished reading his book "Last Day on Mars" on February 13.
We spent much time preparing for Mr. Emerson's visit beyond just reading his book. We studied about the solar system and students chose the planet they wanted to research and write a report on. We made astronauts out of construction paper to display in the hallway with a writing piece entitled "If I Went to Mars...". Students brainstormed and generated a list of over 20 questions they wanted to ask Mr. Emerson.
After Mr. Emerson presented using a power point, every student was able to ask Mr. Emerson a question. Each student got to take an individual photo with him and get his signature either in a book they had purchased or on an index card. We also took a whole class photo as well.
I have taught for over 20 years and can say I have never had the honor of having an author come to my classroom and having him just for my class. It was the perfect conclusion to our learning about the solar system and to finishing his book "Last Day on Mars". I know that this will be one of those moments that they will not forget about their year in 3rd grade.
Thank you for making this moment possible.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Heather Stewart
Let Every Voice Be Heard...with the QBall Wireless Microphone!
Funded Jan 25, 2018When I saw the Qball on the TV show "Shark Tank" this fall, I just knew it was something I wanted to provide for my students. In our classroom, we have a wonderful sound system already in place. What has always been a struggle is getting the students to hold the wearable microphone in just the right spot. It is either too loud, too soft, too close, too far or gets feedback. Plus there is fear they will drop and break this microphone.
With the Qball microphone ball, students hold the Qball in front of them and the sound quality just right. It operates through our classroom sound system speakers that are already in place. Students can now be heard wherever they are in the room by whomever has the Qball. I don't have to say over and over "Big voice!" or "Speak loudly!".
The best part...the Qball microphone is kid-proof. It is throw-able and we discovered even roll-able! It turns off automatically when en route to the next student. The kids want to participate because they want the opportunity to have the Qball in their hands.
Donors- thank you so much for providing this amazing new piece of technology for our class. We are so grateful.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Heather Stewart
Extra! Extra! Read All About It!
Funded Nov 16, 2017Thank you so much for your generous donation which fully funded my Donors Choose project of "Extra! Extra! Read All About It!".
It is often very difficult to be able to place high interest social studies reading materials into each student's hands. Especially materials that include age appropriate reporting of current world events at my students' reading levels. Scholastic News magazines provides this. Each student will have his or her own weekly magazine to read as a whole group, small group, with a partner or individually.
Students are able to bring their magazines home when we are finished working with them in class. They can then share the magazines with their family by reading the articles to them or just telling about what they have learned.
Thank you again for making a profound, direct impact in my classroom.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Heather Stewart
Space...the Final Frontier!
Funded Aug 23, 2017Thank you thank you THANK YOU! My students and I are so beyond grateful for your generous donation to our classroom. You have helped to provide a book in hand for every student during our read aloud story of Kevin Emerson's "Last Day on Mars".
After completion of the book, author Kevin Emerson himself is scheduled to visit our classroom! I am so excited for this unique experience for my students! Thus, another Donors Choose project has been created to help fund that.
We will also be connecting our learning to space science by completing research reports on planets. We will work as a whole group to complete a report on Mars. Then students will choose their own planet to research using their Chromebooks and accessing World Book Online in addition to nonfiction books from our class library.
Again, thank you so much.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Heather Stewart
Alternative Seat Choices!
Funded Dec 15, 2016Thank you so much for your kindness, generosity and donation to my Donors Choose project! The arrival of our 6 new Hokki stools was met with extreme happiness and excitement! There was a lot of cheering, jumping and shouting! It was incredible to see all of my students' faces when they were sent to the mail room to pick up and deliver the boxes to the classroom for opening.
Currently we now have enough alternate seats for each student, every day, if he/she opted to sit in one. Our classroom has ergo ergo stools, cushioned benches, exercise balls and now a grand total of 14 Hokki stools. We also have traditional chairs for those students who prefer to have that style of seating.
Each week, all of the alternate seats rotate to new students, so everyone will have an opportunity to utilize the Hokki stools on a regular basis if they so desire. They are white in color, which actually works with our decor and really brightens up our classroom. Thank you again---you have made such a wonderful, positive impact in my classroom learning environment for many, many years to come.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Heather Stewart
Alternative Seat Choices!
Funded Oct 12, 2016Dear Donors,
Thank you so much for your kindness, generosity and donation to my very first Donors Choose project! The arrival of our 8 Hokki stools was met with extreme happiness and excitement! There was a lot of cheering, jumping and shouting! It was incredible to see all of my students' faces when they arrived at school and discovered all the boxes waiting for them at the front of the classroom.
Currently we now have enough alternate seats for each student, every day, if he/she opted to sit in one. Our classroom has ergo ergo stools, cushioned benches, exercise balls and now, Hokki stools. We also have traditional chairs for those students who prefer to have that style of seating.
Each week, all of the alternate seats rotate to new students, so everyone will have an opportunity to utilize the Hokki stools on a regular basis if they desire. They are white in color, which actually works with our decor and brightens up our classroom. Thank you again---you have made such a wonderful, positive impact in my classroom learning environment for many, many years to come.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Heather Stewart