Past projects 127
All the Right Moves
Funded Sep 12, 2016"All the Right Moves: The Najee McGreen Story" has added a level of depth to our chess unit that we did not previously have. Thank you for providing us with individual copies of this biography. My students have truly enjoyed reading about and discussing the life of Najee McGreen. One of the many benefits from reading his story was the concept of replaying famous chess games in order to learn strategy and improve their game. That is exactly what the students started doing. We found a website that has a record of many famous games. The students have learned how to read chess notation and are choosing games to replay in order to improve their own play. Thank you for providing the reading material that has led to their enthusiasm for the game of chess.”
With gratitude,
Dr. Kaiser
Targeting in on a Healthier School Routine
Funded Aug 5, 2016The 5th grade students were absolutely blown away to find out that their ideas from a 4th grade project were coming to life this year. They immediately began making new plans for incorporating the equipment you so generously provided. The hopscotch carpet is their favorite way to enter and exit the classroom. They have found so many different ways of setting up the fit deck cards with the poly stars, arrows, and feet. The possibilities for obstacle course design seem endless and their imaginations keep finding new ideas to try.
One of my favorite effects of this project is the influence on team work. While students create obstacle courses and then clean up, they are constantly listening to each others' ideas and respecting the input of their peers. When there are disagreements, they work through them proactively.
Thank you again for your generosity! Donors like you are making a huge difference in the lives of students everywhere! Your support is greatly appreciated.”
With gratitude,
Dr. Kaiser
This classroom project was brought to life by Target and 2 other donors.Puzzling It Out
Funded Oct 26, 2015Thank you for your continued support of classrooms around the United States. These kinesthetic logical thinking puzzles have given my students numerous opportunities to push themselves to think in new and different ways. Students love it when there is a little extra time to fill and I say that they can work with the puzzle balls. In fact, one of their favorite things is the weekend puzzle pack that I allow to go home with someone different each week.
Without your support, this particular learning activity would not be available to my gifted students. It is so important that we help our gifted students continue to think creatively and abstractly. These puzzles help them to persevere when something is difficult too. This contribution to student learning is a gift that will last these kids a lifetime. Thank you so very much for the donation.”
With gratitude,
Dr. Kaiser
This classroom project was brought to life by NEA Foundation and 3 other donors.Financial Literacy - A Matter of "Life or Debt"
Funded Apr 3, 2015As the first nine weeks of the new school year comes to a close, my students have already begun to recognize the challenges of living debt-free thank to the materials you have supplied. They have had their first pay day but some students were docked pay for being late, checking out early, or being absent. Students who were not enrolled in our program last year began the year in debt, having to borrow from their line of credit to pay for things like usage of technology and supplies for class. Students learned first-hand just how little is left after taxes when we calculated their net pay on pay day. Students who were using their line of credit were able to repay that on pay day, but they had to repay it with interest. This was an eye opening experience for every student.
Right now, most of the students have been able to live debt-free. Of course, it will become increasingly difficult to maintain this "standard of living" as the year progresses. Some students have elected to pay for "insurance" while others have elected to take their chances without it. The students recently began asking to purchase some of the items that are not necessities. It won't be long before they begin to realize that their wants cannot come before their needs if they want to remain debt free.
The learning taking place cannot be measured by a standardized test at the end of the year. It will be measured by the way these students make financial choices as they go through life. Thank you so much for making this project possible!”
With gratitude,
Dr. Kaiser
This classroom project was brought to life by PwC Charitable Foundation, Inc. and 7 other donors.The Next Big Thing
Funded Feb 4, 2015Thank you for recognizing that teachers need to continue to grow professionally in order to be effective in their role. During the past year, I have challenged myself in a new role working with academically/intellectually gifted students. Your support of my professional development project enabled me to complete the North Carolina AIG certification program leading to state licensure in this area. The reference materials I received have been useful as I worked toward that certification. In particular, the book about twice exceptional students has been invaluable. As I began this new school year, I was able to recognize several students who have been overlooked by the AIG program in the past due to other exceptionalities that make it difficult to recognize their true aptitude for learning. These students will soon benefit from enrichment as well as support for their learning difficulties.
Another book that I received was called "Chess for Kids". Chess is a game that I have previously avoided. This year a teacher at another school in our district asked me to collaborate with her on a chess unit. In order to do so, it was important that I both understand the game and understand how it can be taught to children. This book was an excellent starting point for me. Next week, our students will be culminating the chess unit by playing life size chess against each other.
The notebooks, pens, and other reference materials have been extremely helpful as I worked through my courses and prepared to meet the needs of my exceptionally bright students. Thank you for helping me to become a better teacher for my students.”
With gratitude,
Dr. Kaiser
This classroom project was brought to life by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and one other donor.Financial Literacy: Saving Up for a Rainy Day
Funded Mar 31, 2015Thank you for the donation which enabled our students to receive rain barrels and a rain chain. These items have been instrumental in our outdoor learning. The raised beds were neglected and our students were missing valuable learning opportunities. With this equipment, we have been able to calculate the volume of water that each rain barrel can hold and are in the process of determining how much money is saved by using reclaimed water on our garden rather than the city water that was used in the past.
The children really enjoy watching the plants grow. They have watched closely as various insects have made themselves at home in our cabbages. While some of the cabbages were harvested and made it to the tables of some families, we have allowed others to remain in the ground beyond their prime in order to learn about decomposition.
The rain chain and water barrels have improved our ability to bring water to the garden and learn about fiscally responsible and sustainable choices. Thank you very much for contributing to our education.”
With gratitude,
Dr. Kaiser
This classroom project was brought to life by PwC Charitable Foundation, Inc. and 2 other donors.Financial Literacy: Lunch Count
Funded Mar 31, 2015Thank you once again for your generosity. As soon as the students returned to school, they were eager to begin our action research project. Some students are using the lunch boxes on a regular basis, while other students have elected to purchase lunch from school most of the time. Still others have chosen to vary their choice depending upon the menu items being offered at school.
This real life experience is making a difference in the way students view budgeting and spending. After just one month, the students have developed a process for tracking their choices and spending. They have started comparing information and examining their data. Listening to their conversations confirms that they are quickly becoming informed consumers. The coupon clipping hasn't taken off as quickly, but imagine that it will pick up soon.
Thank you for making a difference in the lives of these students by providing these simple items.”
With gratitude,
Dr. Kaiser
This classroom project was brought to life by PwC Charitable Foundation, Inc. and 3 other donors.Here We Go Loop Dee Loop! Part 5
Funded Aug 21, 2014Thank you for donating these sets of books for my students to read. They are absolutely loving the chance to choose a book to read and discuss with their friends.
As a teacher, it is very rewarding to see students actively engaged in conversation about a book. I especially enjoy taking on a facilitative role as the students are the ones making decisions about how much to read, when they will meet, and what they will discuss.
My students are gaining team building skills and developing greater appreciation for the joy of reading by participating in this shared reading experience of book clubs. Thank you for making a difference in their lives.”
With gratitude,
Dr. Kaiser
Here We Go Loop Dee Loop! Part 2
Funded Jul 5, 2014Thank you for supporting this project that provided 4 more instruments and allowed me to offer the strings program to every 5th grade student in my class this year. The children could hardly wait for the instruments to arrive. I don't think that they believed me when I said that with your help and the help of the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, I would be able to give every child a violin to learn to play in the 5th grade strings class this year.
Every time someone asked me when the violins would arrive and when class would begin, I was so thrilled that the students really wanted to try playing a string instrument. Watching the look on their faces as they opened their violin cases for the first time; the hesitant way in which each student held the violin; I had to catch my breath. I was so nervous for them as they tried to follow along with the instructor for the first time but they did absolutely wonderful! I just know that they are going to gain huge amounts of self worth from this opportunity.
I can never thank you enough for making this dream come true!”
With gratitude,
Dr. Kaiser
Loop Dee Loop - Part 1
Funded May 12, 2014Thank you for choosing to support this project that provides a tangible magazine for each of my students. The current events in Time for Kids are engaging and the fact that they are in color make them even more interesting to my students. Every week, the nonfiction reading for information center is one of the students' favorites now that we have the Time for Kids.
It is the highlight of my day when students make connections between their lives and the information they have read in the magazine. Besides the paper copy, the students love being able to access the digital edition that has so much more to offer.
The magazine gives every student something to look forward to on a weekly basis and I am so very grateful for your partnership with our classroom that has made this possible. Thank you for the gift of engaging nonfiction reading material.”
With gratitude,
Dr. Kaiser