Past projects 7
Hands-On Fairy Tales
Funded Dec 24, 2016Words cannot express how thankful I am to you for donating to my project, "Hands-On Fairy Tales". Initially, when I submitted this project, I simply wanted my students to have access to the stories, "Goldilocks and the Three Bears", "The Three Little Pigs", and "The Three Billy Goats Gruff". I figured we could read the stories and begin to work on out STEM challenges, related to the stories. What my students and myself took away from this project was so much more.
First, my students were excited just to have brand new books that no one had read before. Second, the students loved the phonics lessons within the book (decoding sounds, rhyming words, sight words). They even loved the repeated text within each story. They were actually excited...TO READ! That made my job so easy.
When it came time for us to solve our STEM challenges (build a house for the three pigs, build a chair for Goldilocks, build a bridge for the billy goats), my students asked for the books and began reading with the characters in their hands. They were repeating the story that we read and were acting it out. Soooo, much more learning took place than I intended.
From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU! You have brought so much joy and learning into the classroom. I really appreciate your generosity.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Fix
STEM: Planting Educational Seeds Through Technology
Funded Oct 10, 2016Words cannot express how truly thankful I am to you for you funding my project. My students enjoy using the Chromebooks in class so much. I even get stopped in the hallways by students asking me if I get to "pick them up for class today".
The Chromebooks have really made a difference in our classroom. Our school is moving toward an independent/individualized instruction model. I am able to link instructional videos to student online accounts for them to watch over and over until they grasp a concept (ex. multi-step multiplication or division). Students can work online and submit their work to me electronically. They can also work on personalized learning experiences through other educational websites. Keeping students academically engaged with the use of technology has freed me up to work with students who need a little extra support.
The Three Billy Goats Gruff Problem Solving STEM Kits really got my students interested in reading during our Three Billy Goats Gruff Reader's Theater. They couldn't wait to build the bridge over the troll and balance the three goats on top. The student structures were pretty complex. I see a future engineer or two.
Thanks again for supporting our classroom. The students really enjoy our new educational resources. Not only are they reaching the students this year, they will impact future students as well.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Fix
This classroom project was brought to life by The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation and one other donor.STEM: Growing Second Graders
Funded Oct 6, 2015My students loved getting our Chrome Book, Math Center Activities, and STEM Story Kits in the mail. Since getting our package in October the students have been using our Chrome Book to get on educational websites such as BrainPop Jr, iXL, and Redbird Math. Having the additional computer as a resource allows me to give students more time to receive individualized instruction through educational Internet sites.
The Math Center File Folder Activity Set that I requested from Donors Choose has been a life saver. Every game helps my students learn the educational standards in a fun way. They really like the idea that they are "just playing a game". I LOVE the idea that they are learning with hands on activities. The individual games allow me to assign students specific skills that they need help with. It has helped me with lesson planning as well-an unexpected benefit.
Perhaps the most cherished activities the students received because of your generous donation was the STEM Story Kits. The students read "The Three Little Pigs", a story they've heard since they were babies. When the students built their houses for the BIG BAD WOLF to blow down, they were so excited. It really made the story come alive for them. I was so impressed by their designs as well. I can't wait to see what happens when we read "Goldilocks".
I really want to thank you for giving back to the community by donating to Donors Choose. The materials you provided for my students have been a blessing. You have truly contributed to the success of my students this year and for years to come.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Fix
STEM: Watch us Grow with Science, Technology, and Math
Funded Oct 31, 2014My students were excited about these resources before they even knew what was in the package. When our laptop and center activities arrived in the mail, I put them at the teacher table. Our classroom "Special Helper" was chosen to open the packages as the other kids anxiously stared on. They all cheered and clapped as each item was removed from the four boxes that were shipped to our classroom. I have to admit, I was just as excited.
We have been using the resources for about two months now and it has made a huge impact on the students in our classroom. The students take turns using the laptop throughout the day to access educational websites, read e-books, and just to look up information. We are still trying to learn how to share word documents electronically but we'll get the hang of that soon.
During "Math Stations" the students can't wait to go to the "game table" to use our Math Activities. The students are measuring, adding and subtracting, and learning to tell time but think that they are playing games. I LOVE IT! It makes my job easier as well because the centers are so great. I am excited to be able to provide quality hands-on resources for my students to learn the standards. They often don't want to stop when we need to move on to another subject. I also use the math activities during our after school math tutoring sessions and the students not in my homeroom say they want to be in my class because I "have all of the really cool games".
We've also been able to practice our research and inquiry skills with our Science Kits. The students had a blast working in small groups, taking turns making predictions and experimenting. Too often our students are not able to explore on their own. These kits allowed students to work without a lot of guidance and were able to solve problems by themselves. These skills are so critical to being successful in the world outside of the classroom.
From the bottom of my heart I want to thank you for making it possible for the students in my class to gain access to these great resources. They are a GREAT group of kids and I get excited watching them learn and excel in school.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Fix
Keep Calm and Give Technology
Funded May 6, 2014Thank you so much for funding my project, "Keep Calm and Give Technology". My students were eager with anticipation to see what was in the box that was delivered to us. They were thrilled to see the Google Nexus 7 tablet.
My students use the tablet every day during center activities. They practice their writing skills on Edmodo, watch educational videos about our topics of study on BrainPop Jr., and read leveled books on Raz-Kids.
The tablet has added a lot more than just knowledge to my classroom. The other day I heard students talking during stations and looked up to see that two students were reading an e-book together on the tablet. The Google Nexus 7 has made learning fun for my students and created an opportunity for them to share and work as a team.
Thank you so much Matt and Google for supporting my students and their education.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Fix
Keep Calm And Give Technology II
Funded Mar 2, 2014On behalf of myself, my students, and their families, thank you very much for the recent monetary contribution which enabled us to purchase a Google Nexus 7 tablet and accessories for our 2nd Grade classroom. We are extremely grateful for your generosity. My students were very excited to receive the tablet.
Our class uses the tablet every day during our Reading and Math Center Activities. They have read books online, watched educational videos on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Jackie Robinson, Life Cycles, and Energy to enhance our Science and Social Studies Units, and have even taught me about Operation Math-an awesome site for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division practice.
By contributing to our class, you helped my students to have access to technology that they might not otherwise have access to. In addition, I plan to use the tablet in future classes so other students can benefit from the extra technology.
Thank you again for all you did to help make our center activities more engaging for my students.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Fix
"Some Books!" For A Charlotte's Web Novel Study
Funded Dec 3, 2012On behalf of myself, my students, and their families, thank you very much for the recent monetary contribution which enabled us to purchase a class set of Charlotte's Web books. We are extremely grateful for your generosity.
My students were very excited to receive the books. I kept it a secret from them. Their eyes grew very wide when the contents of the package were seen for the first time. Despite some of my students reading below grade level, the students in the class were able to read and comprehend Charlotte's Web, a book two years above their grade level, because they were so excited about it.
This story touched them in a way I couldn't have even imagined it would. By contributing to our class, you helped my students to have hands on access to this amazing story. In addition, I plan to use them in future classes so many more lives will be touched by Charlotte and Wilbur.
Thank you again for all you did to help make our Charlotte's Web Novel Study a success.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Fix
This classroom project was brought to life by Build-a-Bear Workshop Foundation and 4 other donors.