Past projects 21
Wobble While We Work
Funded Aug 6, 2018Thank you so much for donating to our project! The students absolutely LOVE using the wobble seats, stadium seats, yoga balls, and cushions. They are able to "wiggle" while learning, which has benefited them tremendously.
The students had seen all the different seating options in our classroom since the first day of school, but I waited a few weeks to introduce how and when to use them. Once they found out they could finally use them, they were beyond excited! They have learned when it's appropriate to use them and when they help them most. Because they have been such a hit, I plan to explore more options in alternative seating in future.
Thank you so much for your support!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Gravanti
Teachers Need Sleep, too!
Funded Mar 13, 2018I am incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to attend this wonderful professional development conference with my grade level team. The many sessions I enjoyed and learned many new ideas for my classroom include; Stemagination, Flexible Seating and Classroom Redesign, and Guided Math That Works. I have also developed a profession network of wonderful educators in which to connect via social media. I feel so inspired by the many presenters who instill a love of learning inside their own classrooms! My favorite session was learning how to implement flexible seating within my classroom. I am in the process of starting a new Donors Choose project to help me redesign my classroom for children to choose the best fit for them in making a smart spot for working independently.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Gravanti
Makey Makeys for the Maker Space
Funded Aug 30, 2017King School appreciates so much your willingness to fund this project. Our students have absolutely loved using the Makey Makeys!
Different grade levels have had the opportunity to play musical instruments and games on the computer. They have come up with creative ways to do this by using the Makey Makey to turn everyday objects into keyboard keys. They alligator clip the Makey Makey to any object that at least conducts a little bit of electricity. They then make a connection to the Makey Makey with their body (usually hold the clip in their hand) and when they touch the object that is also connected, it completes an electrical circuit and prompts the computer to "press that key". This is just the very basic use of Makey Makeys.
The students are able to be so creative with this project. When given some free discovery time, students are able to come up with many creative ways to make these Makey Makeys work. They are also so proud of themselves and cannot wait to tell their teacher what they came up with! This is always wonderful for a teacher to see!
Thank you for donating to King School's Maker Space!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Gravanti
Let's go to "I Teach K" National Conference!
Funded Jan 25, 2018I am incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to attend this wonderful professional development conference with my grade level team. The many sessions I enjoyed and learned many new ideas for my classroom include; Stemagination, Flexible Seating and Classroom Redesign, and Guided Math That Works. I have also developed a profession network of wonderful educators in which to connect via social media. I feel so inspired by the many presenters who instill a love of learning inside their own classrooms! My favorite session was learning how to implement flexible seating within my classroom. I am in the process of starting a new Donors Choose project to help me redesign my classroom for children to choose the best fit for them in making a smart spot for working independently.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Gravanti
This classroom project was brought to life by The First Million Fund and one other donor.Engineering with Force and Motion
Funded Feb 27, 2018Thank you so much for your generous donation to my classroom. We really needed these materials to amp up our integrated Force and Motion unit. The children absolutely LOVE the ramps and have learned how different angles makes the balls go down the ramp differently. They use the ramps, not only during our science time, but they chose to play with them during Choice time! The Chain Reaction machines caused a huge interest in creating their own chain reaction machines. We used all sorts of materials do mimic the machines that we got from Lakeshore. They also love using the Marble runs. This was probably the most well-used Donors Choose project I've ever received. These materials will benefit all of my students for years to come.
Thank you!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Gravanti
A Light Table To Light Up Our Learning
Funded Feb 26, 2018Thank you so much for your generous donation to my classroom. These light tables are absolutely fantastic! When I opened them for the first time, the students were so curious. What is that?!
Since then, the light tables have become some of the favorite tools in our classroom. We use them during word work, math, and even free choice time! Having the transparent materials to go along with the light tables, really engages and motivates my students. They are excited when it's there turn to play the domino game or the letter matching game. These tables are something I will use for years to come!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Gravanti
A Place for Everyone to Sit
Funded Feb 5, 2018Thank you so much for your generous donation to my classroom. I feel so grateful to have such a supportive community!
The new calming colors rug is so wonderful! Each square gives my students their own independent sitting spot and it helps maintain order during our whole group learning time on the rug. The colors are so beautiful and the new rug makes my classroom look so welcoming, inviting and warm. So many teachers have come in to ask where and how I got it.
When the rug arrived my students were over the moon!! They love it just as much as I do.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Gravanti
Crazy for iPads!
Funded Dec 23, 2017Thank you all so much for your generous donations to my classroom. I am so grateful to have such a supportive community!
Our classroom now has 10 iPads! We are almost halfway to our goal of having 1:1 iPads. With 10 iPads I am now able to incorporate technology more often throughout the day. We use these iPads during our morning work time, math, reading, word work, and during free play time. They are probably the most used tool in my classroom!
My students love using the iPads to scan QR codes that I use during our math and literacy centers and they also love listening to stories at the listening station. I also use the iPads to collect data on students they may need a little more support in certain areas. Programs like Lexia and RazKids allow me to see the progress my students have made, even if I am not able to be sitting right there next to them. It's fantastic!
I feel so fortunate to have such amazing technology in my classroom!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Gravanti
Cover Up! iPad Cases for Kinders
Funded Nov 30, 2017Thank you all so much for your generous donations towards this project! My students and I absolutely LOVE these new iPad covers. The students were so excited when we opened the box together and they couldn't wait to put them on the iPads.
Previously, we had covers that were not very kid-friendly. These are perfect for Kindergarten. My favorite part about them is the handle. The handle also acts as a stand so the students can have the iPad up at an angle which makes it much easier for them to see. We also love the color - it's our school color and they fit perfectly in our classroom.
We will use these covers for many years, so your donation not only support my current students, but supports many classes to come. Thank you!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Gravanti
Windows and Mirrors: Diverse Books That Help Us See
Funded Aug 24, 2017Thank you all so much for your generous donations. These books have made my classroom library so much richer and more diverse.
These books invite my students to use their imaginations, expand their vocabularies and gain a better understanding of themselves and others. The various books in this collection reflects the diverse groups of people in the world and in our own community. By having these books, my students can learn to respect not only their own cultural groups, but also the cultural groups of others. It helps my students understand that despite our many differences, all people share common feelings and aspirations.
I am so grateful to have these books! Thank you!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Gravanti
This classroom project was brought to life by Sergey Brin Family Foundation and 6 other donors.