Ms. Doerr's Classroom Edit display name

Past projects 57

• Blue Lounge & Learn Couch

  Funded Dec 14, 2024

  Thank you so very much for providing my 4th grade classroom with a beautiful blue Lounge & Learn Couch! My students voted to place the couch in the front of the room near our Promethean Board since that is where we do most of our lessons. It is one of their favorite places to sit & read or learn with their friends. My students often lead their own math groups during center time, so they use the couch as a comfy spot to sit as a student leader or as a participant when completing group activities with their whiteboard.

  As a teacher, I appreciate having this new blue couch because it has helped my students focus better during lessons. Since I allow them to move closer to see the board during my lessons, I've noticed that my students are really more engaged with learning when sitting on the blue couch. It is also very heartwarming to see students reading together on the couch during our Daily 5 guided reading time. During this special time of the day students have the chance to read with a partner and talk about what they've read. My students take turns each day using the couch during this time, and they absolutely love it!

  Again, you're the best for donating to my classroom! Your kindness has made a huge positive impact for my fourth graders! The couch is very durable and I clean it weekly with a simple Lysol wipe. It will be used for many years to come. Thanks from the bottom of my heart!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Doerr

• Graphic Novels

  Funded Aug 26, 2024

  Thank you so very much for providing so many engaging and enjoyable new graphic novels to my fourth grade classroom. My students love the new books and the graphic novels are the most popular books for students to read in my class library.

  My students read the books every day during our reading block. They read independently and with partners. The Sports Illustrated series was a favorite among the boys, especially the graphic novels about soccer and dirt biking! The science comics have cool facts and illustrations about the natural world to teach students facts about animals, volcanoes, and outer space. My girls loved the plots of the Baby-sitters Club series and some of them read all 7 of the graphic novels we received. One girl said that a character in one of the graphic novels reminded her of herself. The book was about a girl who faced challenges about her appearance, but overcame them through self-confidence and determination. It is so wonderful when students begin to "see themselves" in the characters they read about.

  Your donations truly enriched my fourth grade classroom. All my students have loved reading the graphic novels and they will continue to be an important part of my class library collection for many years to come. Students have also used the blue Lakeshore materials to store their books and notebooks. Thanks again for supporting education!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Doerr

• Math & the Arts

  Funded Mar 27, 2024

  Thank you so much for providing chart paper, easel pads, and markers for my fourth grade students to create projects that integrate math and the arts. The activities they completed with these resources after our high-stakes testing made the school day more collaborative, enjoyable, and stress-free.

  We used the charts to create angles posters to differentiate between the different types (acute, right, obtuse, straight). Some groups created an extension project using the posters and pattern blocks. They researched how the Navy creates ships with a design that results in a smaller radar signature, reducing the ship's detection range. It was a challenging activity that they presented to the class while utilizing problem-solving skills when adjusting lines on their posters/arranging pattern blocks to correspond.

  We also have a class set of Edison robots, and the posters were the perfect place for students to create maps for their robots to be programmed to move around. My class loved sharing their designs with their first grade reading buddies to introduce them to the joy of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics).

  Finally, I have been using the markers and posters to create learning target posters. Our school district is implementing an instructional framework which helps students better articulate what they are learning, why what they are learning is important, and how they will know when they have shown mastery. Having visual access to these learning target posters has positively impacted students because they know their learning targets, success criteria, and the relevancy for what they are learning. They have also taken more ownership for using the charts. For instance, during my Daily 5 reading time, two students are in charge of reading the learning targets/success criteria to the class, which has created more self-directed learners.

  Thanks again for donating these amazing resources to my class.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Doerr

  This classroom project was brought to life by LOFT and one other donor.

• Basics for Test Prep.

  Funded Mar 17, 2024

  Thank you so very much for providing some much-needed resources to prepare my fourth grade students for their important state tests. They used all the dry erase markers, answer paddles, pencils, and headphones to practice and review skills needed to show mastery before the big assessment days.

  Their favorite new resource were the dry erase paddles. They used the paddles to show answers during student-led math review games and during teacher small groups. My students enjoyed being able to self-assess their learning by rating their current understanding on the paddles. This information helped me create targeted interventions so they could reach their individualized goals. My students also loved being able to use the brand-new Chisel tip and fine tip markers on their personal whiteboards and our whiteboard tables. After testing, they used the markers to help them practice the correct formation of cursive letters. They loved receiving the mechanical pencils for rewards for work that was well-done.

  The headphones will be reused this upcoming year and were super handy to have because all students had access to working audio and could hear the directions/questions read out loud to them on the test.

  Thanks again for your incredibly kind donations.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Doerr

• 1,000 Pencils & Erasers

  Funded Feb 19, 2024

  I wanted to let you know that your donation of 1,000 pencils and 1,000 erasers has made such a positive difference in my 4th grade classroom! My students and I no longer have to worry about having a pencil with an eraser because our supply is so plentiful! Students were so appreciative when the BIG BOX of pencils arrived! The cool thing about the pencils was that they came pre-sharpened! This was very beneficial when students took their state tests. As a teacher, I knew everyone had more than one pencil and that they were going to be able to focus on the content of their tests instead of worrying about not having an eraser or a sharp pencil.

  My students have been learning how to write in cursive using these pencils! They write every day during our English Language Arts time! Some students write multiple pages & have a plentiful supply of your amazing pencils available within reach. My students do not have issues with broken or missing erasers anymore because the ones you provided our classroom last a long time. They know if they need to get a new one they can ask me too. I have enough pencils and erasers to last me for the entire upcoming 2024-2025 school year! I know I will appreciate being able to start the year off using the same box of pencils and erasers you provided.

  Again, thank you so much for your kindness. Reflecting on this past year, it has been personally the most challenging one of all for me due to losing a treasured colleague/friend, along with much larger class sizes and not enough time to rest. So very much is asked of us teachers, yet our district does not allocate funds for the resources we need. I want you to know that people like YOU really restore my faith in the power of kindness and how it is like a light shining into the lives of other people to make their days better. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being this light and know that you made a difference and that YOU are appreciated. I wish you only the best and have a great summer!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Doerr

  This classroom project was brought to life by Kleenex and one other donor.

• Write & Wipe Pockets & Dry Erase Markers

  Funded Feb 9, 2024

  Jon, I want to personally thank you for the amazing resources that your kind donations brought to my fourth grade class. My students love using the new fine-tipped black markers to play fun and engaging math games.

  They have played a variety of games to practice skills like long division, multi-digit multiplication, rounding, & addition using the new "Write & Wipe Pockets." A favorite game was our "Pi-Day" game where students rolled the dice to be the first to get the first ten digits of pi! They also love to play decimal battleship! It is amazing to see my students supporting each other, working collaboratively with a variety of partners, and enjoying themselves while learning.

  Having a large amount of the dry erase markers is also very helpful because my school does not have an inventory of the fine-tipped markers. I am teaching my students how to write in cursive, so having the thinner markers is beneficial to their fine-motor skills. They use the markers to write on the lines of their dry erase markerboards. They also use the markers during math groups when we learn concepts together or when completing student-led activities on our Promethean Board.

  YOU ARE TRULY THE BEST and made a HUGE DIFFERENCE for 28 thankful fourth graders. Wishing you only the best too! Thank you!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Doerr

  This classroom project was brought to life by Kleenex and one other donor.

• Ottoman Benches

  Funded Sep 6, 2023

  Thank you so much for your kind donations, which provided my fourth grade classroom with four beautiful blue ottoman benches. My students absolutely love using the ottoman benches every day to learn and comfortably sit during lessons.

  The ottomans are made of soft beads, the perfect material to sit, relax, and learn. My students also love to move the ottomans to different areas of the classroom. For instance, during reading, they will move the ottomans to our class library for an easier selection of books. During math, they will often move all four ottomans to the front of the room for an up-close view of the math they are learning on the Promethean board.

  Students also use the blue ottomans as a seating place for mentoring each other. They love to help each other learn, so having these special benches to sit on has made my classroom a more positive, student-centered place.

  Thanks again for your kindness. You're the best!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Doerr

  This classroom project was brought to life by Panda Cares and one other donor.

• Lounge & Learn Couch

  Funded Sep 11, 2023

  Thank you so very much for providing my fourth grade classroom with a beautiful green Lounge & Learn couch from Lakeshore Learning. This couch is a favorite place for my students to learn and they sit on it to help each other during reading, writing, and math.

  My students love to move the couch to face our Promethean Panel when completing student-led games during math. They have voiced how they enjoy sitting on the couch because it is very spacious and comfortable. I can seat up to four students on the couch at one time. They love being able to mentor each other while sitting on the couch. A favorite activity is being able to read to someone on the couch, which has helped my students become more fluent readers.

  I love being able to wipe down the couch so easily since it is made out of vinyl. I am able to keep it sanitized and brand-new looking. The bright green color has provided a pleasant "pop" of color to my classroom.

  Thanks again for your kindness. This couch will continue to be used for many years and students will be so happy that this piece of furniture is a part of our classroom. You're the best!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Doerr

  This classroom project was brought to life by Panda Cares.

• Slant Boards, Ear Muffs, & Seat Cushions for Special Needs

  Funded Jul 31, 2023

  Thank you once again from the bottom of my heart for providing funding for my project to bring slant boards, ear muffs, fidgets, and seat cushions to my students. All my fourth graders absolutely love using these items every day in my classroom. The ear muffs are very popular because my students enjoy wearing them to stay focused during computer time or when the class is a little more noisy during work time. They have told me that the ear muffs get rid of the noise, which allows them to have more stamina on completing their work.

  My students take turns using the new seat cushions. The large clear gel one is very fun to sit on because it has a squishy surface. The smaller blue cushion has balls inside of it, which create a unique sensory feel. They love using these seat cushions! Thank you!

  Students also appreciate knowing they can select from a variety of fidget balls during work time or when they feel anxious. These fidgets have been especially helpful for my students with special needs because they can hold onto one and stay more focused on my lesson with the sensory input.

  Finally, the four slant boards have been so helpful during our writing time. Students use the angled surface to position their paper and write for more extended time periods when using the boards. They also use the boards to position their computers for a more close-up view of their learning programs.

  Thanks again for being my class heroes by providing all these cool new resources for my students. You're the best!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Doerr

  This classroom project was brought to life by Kleenex and one other donor.

• Bring us a Bookstand

  Funded Jun 20, 2023

  Thank you so much for the fabulous extra-wide bookstand that your generous donations brought to my fourth grade class. This is the best bookstand I've ever had because it is large and displays so many books. I am currently showcasing books with a fall and Halloween theme. Students love being able to select the titles that interest them because they see the covers on the bookstand and are then inspired to read the books.

  In my classroom, students have jobs. One of their favorite jobs is being in charge of adding titles to the shelf. My library organizers maintain this bookshelf with the latest titles/a variety of books that interest the class.

  Thanks again for your support for education. I really appreciate your donation toward my project. Know that you made a difference in my classroom, and I will continue to use this high quality bookstand for years to come.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Doerr

  This classroom project was brought to life by Arizona Department of Education and 2 other donors.