Mrs. Rethmeier's Classroom Edit display name

Past projects 9

• Listen Carefully

  Funded Nov 30, 2021

  I cannot express how thankful I am for the headphones. My students are able to listen to books and assignments without worrying if they are going to bother their peers. The students were so excited to see these come into the classroom and they are used every day. Students use them for assignments on their computer, reading books on EPIC, watching ed puzzles, and much much more. During my reading block when I am working with small groups, there are fewer interuptions and students are completing more of their assignments.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Rethmeier

  This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 3 other donors.

• Flexible in Fourth

  Funded Dec 10, 2019

  Thank you so much for donating to my classroom. We are using the donut seats and stools daily! The students were so excited to see new seating come into the classroom. They couldn't wait for them to be incorporated into our flexible seating plans. Once they became a part of our classroom seating, students are eager to come to class so they can sit where they want. The donut seats allow students to move about and bounce without bothering others. The stools have been wonderful for students that want a change, but don't learn best on the inflatable items. They have also been a wonderful change for my teaching table. I can now call back larger groups without having to worry if all the chairs will fit. Students have become more engaged and are enjoying our classroom environment. Thank you so much for your generosity.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Rethmeier

  This classroom project was brought to life by An anonymous classroom supporter and 4 other donors.

• STEM Bins for Exploration

  Funded Aug 9, 2019

  I am so grateful for your donations and for the ability to add these supplies in my classroom. These have become an integral part of our morning routine. My students are able to enter my classroom and begin exploring within minutes. Every day is different for my students. They are able to choose from each one of the STEM bins. My students love building structures using the legos and plus plus blocks. They get to experience coding using SPHERO. Every day they create something new. They cannot wait for colder weather to use these materials during our indoor recess time. My students are in love with these materials and I cannot thank you enough for helping me to bring these materials into my classroom.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Rethmeier

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

• Special Seating for 6th Grade

  Funded Feb 1, 2019

  Thank you so much for your donations. The new flexible seating options have been an amazing addition to my classroom. My students were so excited to see the boxes come into the classroom. They had no idea that my project had gotten funded. The kids were thrilled during the unboxing and couldn't wait to try out the new seats.

  Many of my students using the wobble stools, yoga ball chairs and kick bands can focus better. There are fewer interruptions in the classroom. Students are more focused during class. They are able to move and fidget without bothering someone else. They are more confident in their ability because of their focus.

  Again, thank you for your donations to purchase these materials for my kiddos.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Rethmeier

  This classroom project was brought to life by Carol Kupers Whalen Memorial Fund and 3 other donors.

• Learning About Life Cyles

  Funded Aug 25, 2016

  I want to thank everyone that donated to this project. When the box arrived, even the office staff was excited. Students made guesses as to what was in our box. Many students guessed a class pet, but very few guessed tadpoles.

  The students in second grade have enjoyed watching the tadpoles grow. Students get to feed them and make sure they are cared for. They get excited when we talk about observing them. Students are estimating when they think they will go into the next stage and can't wait till they are full grown. They are getting to see the magnetic life cycle of the frog and can't wait till we put the next step on the board.

  They haven't begun using the chicken life cycle materials yet(not until spring), but are so intrigued and can't wait until we bring the eggs into the classroom. They are making predictions as to what stages are going to be the same in each creatures life cycle.

  These materials have enhanced our learning of life cycles and I can't thank you enough for allowing my students to get this opportunity.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Rethmeier

  This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 5 other donors.

• Creating Fluent Readers

  Funded Sep 19, 2014

  Thank you so much for your donations to my project. This project has been a great asset to my classroom. The students were so excited to see that we had new books for our listening station! Currently we are using them during our literacy station block and our silent reading time. Students are able to listen to fluent, expressive reading while following along in the book. Many of the books we received are some of our mentor texts that we have used for other mini lessons. My students are always excited to see a mentor text in the listening station. They remember when I read it the first time! Again thank you for your donation and your enthusiasm to support students as they grow as readers.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Rethmeier

  This classroom project was brought to life by Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation and 4 other donors.

• Listening Ears

  Funded Apr 13, 2014

  I cannot thank you enough for your donation to my project. When the box came my students were so excited they could barely wait until after recess to open it. They were thrilled that they would be able to listen to their stories through working headphones. All of my students now get to listen to our weekly story without interruption. My students that have some challenges with reading also get to spend time at the listening station during quiet reading time without interrupting the whole class. Your donation has helped several students to comprehend what they are reading instead of worrying about how the words should sound. Students are getting to listen to fluent reading without the distraction of other classroom noises. Thank you so much for your generosity.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Rethmeier

• Wild About Words

  Funded Sep 10, 2013

  The students were so excited to have new materials to use in the classroom. The Wiki Stix, letter stamps and magnetic letters are all part of our word work station. The students use the materials practice writing (or making) their spelling words, that are also sight words. They love working with the materials. It makes the station a lot more fun if they are able to something more than just write the words. We also use the materials to build words during guided reading. Having the word mile and physically adding an "s" to it, allows the students to see how words can change and how they are the same.

  These materials have made word work a lot more interactive and fun. Students are retaining more because they are using different parts of their brain to create things.

  Thank you so much for your donation. You have allowed us to do so much more with words!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Rethmeier

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

• Hear Ye! Hear Ye!

  Funded Sep 1, 2013

  I have never seen students so happy to see a package come to school. We opened it together and the look on their faces was priceless. The students had been using an old boombox as their listening station. The extra noise during literacy stations made it very difficult for students to focus on their own task. Many students commented immediately about the headphones in the box when we opened the new listening station. The headphones allow the students to work in a quiet environment. I have a few students with hearing impairments and the individual volume controls allow the students to control their own volume. The students love using our new listening station! Their fluency is improving and they enjoy it when they can go to the listening station and be read to. Thank you so much for your donation. It truly has impacted the education of all of my students!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Rethmeier

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