Past projects 5
Manipulatives for Centers
Funded Aug 2, 2023I got the manipulative just in time before school started so thank you for that. The students were so excited to use everything and I was so happy to be able to provide educational play opportunities. It was amazing to see the students improve throughout the year with their fine motor skills, comfortability with writing, and loving math. I truly believe that allowing my students access to hands on learning promoted their growth mindset.
As a teacher who rarely sat while working with kindergarten students, I will be forever grateful for all of these manipulatives because they helped me accomplish daily small groups in reading and math. If it weren't for all the tactile learning my students got to do, it would have been impossible for me to work one on one or in small groups with all my students every single day. I want to give a special thanks to The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation because it is organizations like them who help teachers like me create a classroom that is welcoming and fun.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Rios
This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 14 other donors.Books to Learn to Love to Read
Funded Sep 21, 2022My students know that reading is always a great option during class time. If a student finishes any classwork early, one option is to read a book. When I am working with small groups for reading, the rest of the class has sustained silent reading time.
I love how almost the entire class chooses to read a book even when they don't have to. I think that by providing choices, they are buying more into reading. It doesn't matter what level they are at because I asked for books below grade level, at, and above so that everyone could have something they can read.
I use the books in many different ways. Sometimes I have students tell me what they are reading about (a summary) and why they chose the book. Other times I ask the students to figure out the theme (moral/lesson) that the author is trying to teach the reader. I have also used one novel as a read aloud where I ask the entire class questions along the way, such as hypothesizing or sharing how they feel about something.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Rios
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 6 other donors.Early Finisher Activities
Funded Nov 10, 2021I am always amazed at how much people care about students. Thank you for giving my students board games. We unpacked them together and their faces lit up every time they saw each game. Their first question was, "When can we use them?" I heard many of them tell their friends that they were going to work hard to finish their work because they want to use the boardgames. My goal was to incentivize many students to not only finish, their work, but to do it well. I honestly can say that it has worked. All the students who struggled to stay on task are now working more consistently and turning in their assignments. The most popular boardgames are Connect 4, Battleship, and Headbands. With that said, all of the boardgames are feeling the love from my sixth graders.
I have been brainstorming ways to get my students more excited about physical education so keep a look out for my next classroom project! Again, I give you all thanks from the bottom of my heart.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Rios
This classroom project was brought to life by #TeachHealthy with Nature Made and 7 other donors.Comfort = Focus
Funded Aug 24, 2021The students in my class were so excited to see the boxes with all the different flexible seating options. The supplies arrived extremely fast after the project was fully funded and of course I wasted no time in putting them to use. Everyone actually helped set up the flexible seats (it's nice having sixth graders who can use an air pump). The flexible seats are used on a daily basis so we had to create classroom expectations for them specifically. This means students have the choice every day to choose where they would like to sit but if they make a not-so-good choice, then I have the ability to move them to a new spot where I think they will be more successful. I have seen motivation go up in general and for certain students, the flexible seats help them focus better while learning. I cannot thank all of you enough for providing this experience to my students.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Rios
Whiteboards to Check Understanding
Funded Sep 11, 2020The students were beyond excited to get their own mini whiteboards. We use the whiteboards on a daily basis. During math they write the problem and show their thinking on the whiteboard. During phonics they put their knowledge to the test by writing sounds, sight words, and sentences. It's really nice because they use the whiteboard with the lines to practice their printing.
Their reactions were all extremely adorable. I have a first grade class so this school year they met me over a computer. I knew how strange it must be for them so I have done socially distanced home visits. Most of them were extremely shy the first time they met me in person but I have done several handouts so they have begun to open up. They were all shocked to have their own whiteboard like they couldn't believe they got to take it home.
Distance learning has been a whole different world. I started the school year over Zoom and we are still not near a date to go back to campus. I have a full day schedule but there are big chunks of break and mini brain breaks. I also have several small groups because it's the only way I can make sure none of my students are slipping under the cracks. I am thinking of ways to make math more fun and easier for my students because they would normally have manipulatives in the classroom but right now most of them don't at home.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Rios
This classroom project was brought to life by Kleenex® Brand and one other donor.