Past projects 18
The Magic Of Music!
Funded Mar 12, 2016Dear Donors,
Thank you SO much for helping my class get a fantastic new music center!
When they first saw the instruments, my students were shocked. A drum set and an electric guitar!!?? Wow. They couldn't wait to try them out.
The most fun that the students get with the instruments so far is experimentation. We have talked and demonstrated how to create patterns with little riffs, and then do them to a steady beat. Now, whenever my students have free time, they are allowed and able to explore any talents or curiosity they have with instruments.
I hope to put some of these instruments and students together for presentation and performance purposes some day soon.
These kids really are getting a first grade experience like no other... and it is thanks to you.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Younger
This classroom project was brought to life by #BestSchoolDay and 19 other donors.Learning by OSMO-sis!
Funded Feb 5, 2016Wow, what a cool techno-toy this Osmo is turning out to be. We've only used one of the apps that comes with it so far (Words) and my students are having a great time choosing letters and sounds and spellings to match the pictures that appear on the screen.
The technology that uses the camera to make this an interactive experience is really a treat to watch and use... it feels almost as if students are putting the letters into the screen themselves (reminiscent of those old Jetsons cartoons or something). The students love it, and they are internalizing their learning as they get entertained.
Your contributions made this learning possible. Thank you so much.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Younger
Teaching Easel for Easily Teaching
Funded Nov 9, 2015Though it can take a long time to teach an "old dog" (me) new tricks, we have begun using the Teaching Easel in our classroom! Students have done decoding drills with other students on it; we have used it for thinking maps which help us visualize and organize our thoughts; and we have used it to make notes and posters of our writing and grammar skills. With a lined, yellow "legal pad" style post-it poster on one side (on top of a whiteboard), and blank white paper on the other side (on top of a felt board), the possibilities are plentiful.
I have yet to get creative with the many and varied ways that our students can use it with each other, but we are getting there. I just wanted to let you know how grateful we all are in Room 20.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Younger
Color Printing Helps Engage and Inspire my Students!
Funded Oct 13, 2015I just wanted you all to know how grateful I am that you bought our students a color printer for their classroom. Every time we print in color (without having to worry about the amount we're spending on ink!) we are reminded of your generosity - and I often comment to the students how thankful we are to have parents like you on our side.
Student work, naturally, can come in color; but the bulletin boards are better off when the teacher doesn't have to use his markers to make his own signs for the walls. Young children respond to color... and our classroom is a more colorful, enticing, vibrant, and fun place because the pictures, signs, announcements, labels, and captions on the walls are all in color now.
You have had a direct impact on the learning environment of our students, and we all thank you from the bottom of our colorful hearts!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Younger
Operation: Protect the New Tablets!
Funded Oct 24, 2015The Amazon Fire tablet computers are in the classroom and my students are adjusting to their use as an everyday item for research and educational apps that support literacy, math, science, social studies and, perhaps most importantly, whatever the students are curious about.
Presently, they are using the tablets to research wild animals that they are interested in to create an expository writing piece - to be accompanied by images that also acquired from Internet image searches - for a book that our class will publish. These books will be made available for the students as souvenirs of first grade and of their first foray into a new world of resourcefulness.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Younger
Classroom Technology - The Amazon Fire Six Pack
Funded Oct 19, 2015The Amazon Fire tablet computers are in the classroom and my students are adjusting to their use as an everyday item for research and educational apps that support literacy, math, science, social studies and, perhaps most importantly, whatever the students are curious about.
Presently, they are using the tablets to research wild animals that they are interested in to create an expository writing piece - to be accompanied by images that also acquired from internet image searches - for a book that our class will publish. These books will be made available for the students as souvenirs of first grade and of their first foray into a new world of resourcefulness.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Younger
What a Wonderful World
Funded Jun 8, 2012Thank you so much for the generous donations that you have made to my students and classroom! The gifts definitely went over well with the children. They were so excited, as was I, to finally have a globe in the classroom. I've been working with a wall map for so long, I've forgotten what it's like to use a globe and actually get a great perspective on the planet!
Rest assured, the kids are as excited as I am. We have been reading some of the books about Asia, and it is fascinating for them to find the places that we read about on the globe and figure out how close or far they are from us.
Lastly, the map has also been so well received. The kids are certainly excited by a puzzle they can put together, and I am equally enthused by what they are reflecting on and learning as they do it.
Thanks again. You have truly made a difference.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Younger
The Dream of Kidspiration!!!
Funded Apr 24, 2010Thanks so much for your donation to my students. Kidspiration software really has begun to make its difference already. It creates templates (on the computer, which is very exciting for students, especially in first grade) for writing that use pictures, and words to organize their ideas for writing. It seems to be in a format that really brings about a perfect mix of effort and creativity. The students do not really even seem to notice they are working hard to create five- or six-sentence essays in first grade! Eventually, these skills will transfer to paper and pencil writing. Thanks again.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Younger
This classroom project was brought to life by Chevron and 6 other donors.