Past projects 16
Cut and Color, Empowering Students With Art
Funded Jan 8, 2016"Scissors?! We get to use brand new scissors? Wow!" was just one of the exclamations by my 4th grade students when they saw what was coming out of the box for them. They had been using scissors fit for primary grade students. I could see the relief at being able to easily fit their fingers into these scissors and use them much more skillfully.
The students got to use their new scissors on a fanciful, abstract 3-D structure pasted onto cardboard. They could make smaller more precise cuts and seemed quite happy with their creations. That was just one of the projects where they got to use these new art tools.
They were also thrilled with another set of brand new markers so that they would not have to share a box. They could each have their own box to use. They would not have to wait for the special color they were looking for. This, in and of itself, made the class run smoother with less frustration, more fun, and more creativity.
None of this would have been possible without your generous donations.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Kaplan
This classroom project was brought to life by Disney and 15 other donors.Art Empowers Our Students
Funded Dec 17, 2015"Nice markers, Ms. Kaplan!" came the surprised exclamation when I opened up the box of new markers. The students were very excited to see such fine, brand new markers to use for their next art project. They couldn't believe that they would be the first ones to ever use them. They had been using ones that were about 5 years old from torn, tacky boxes, and the ink was barely marking the paper.
Coloring fanciful animal figures similar to the Alebrijes of Oaxaca, Mexico with these markers made for some beautiful artwork. The students loved all the vibrant colors they could get with their new tools. The expressions on their faces told me how proud they were of their products. They had worked hard knowing that with these markers they could produce something unique, colorful, and satisfying.
The watercolor paper was used for drawing and painting "Abstract Faces," a directed art lesson. The students really got a feel for what a difference good watercolor paper makes in a project. They were very proud of their creative and unique paintings.
Without your donations, this would not have been possible.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Kaplan
This classroom project was brought to life by Rogers Family Foundation and 9 other donors.Dot Art Empowers Students
Funded Dec 23, 2015"Ooh!" was the excited response of the students when they saw the colorful, cool, Dot Art Paint tubes. There were more "oohs" and "ahhs" when I demonstrated how these magical paint devices worked.
The kindergartners, the 1st graders, and the 2nd graders loved how easily they could create works of art with these simple tools. After the kindergartners dotted out their names, they decorated each piece with fanciful flowers, trees, hearts, and houses. Practicing their names with Dot Art really helped them remember all the letters and the shapes of the letters.
The 1st and 2nd graders learned about the Color Wheel and quickly mixed the primary colors to make the secondary colors. Oh, were they thrilled at being able to make those colors come to life in just a few seconds.
Thank you so much for this opportunity to bring creative art supplies to my students. Your donation made such a difference in the students attitude toward the work they embarked on. They knew right away that they would be successful. They were excited to take their art pieces home to share with their families.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Kaplan
This classroom project was brought to life by Rogers Family Foundation and 5 other donors.Get Their Hands On Books! Let's Get Organized!
Funded Mar 9, 2015Thank you so much for the wonderful book shelf! The students couldn't believe it when they walked in and saw it. "Wow!" "That's cool!" "It's so easy to find our level books." Those were just some of the comments by my grateful students.
The compartments for each level of book make it so convenient for each child to select books at their level and of interest to them. It probably takes them about half the time it previously took and that means more time for actual reading.
This bookshelf also looks good! Our old shelves were, well, old! This is brand spanking new and it makes the classroom feel a whole lot better.
Your donations made this possible. My students and I thank you.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Kaplan
Around The World We Go
Funded Aug 29, 2014I wish all of you could have been there when the students first got their hands on these globes! They were so excited and intrigued. They could not stop discovering countries, states, cities, rivers, the oceans. They loved finding their families' homelands and pointing out to each other where we live.
The globes made a real difference in the students' understanding of latitude and longitude, the equator, the hemispheres, and other concepts they had been reading about in their textbooks. Seeing these things on the globes made it a little bit more concrete.
We thank you sincerely for this wonderful gift.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Kaplan
This classroom project was brought to life by Gates Foundation Back To School and 12 other donors.Wet Our Whistle With Wonderful Water
Funded Aug 17, 2014Wow! What a difference in the classroom! Students no longer wave their hands in the air to get up and get water. There are far fewer interruptions during lessons. There's no jostling to get to the water fountain after recess. Students just calmly come inside and go to their desks and drink from their water bottles. The students stay hydrated during the day and stay more focused.
The water bottles themselves are great. They don't drip or make a mess on the desks. If they get knocked over, they don't spill. What more could one ask for?
I can't say enough to express my and the students' appreciation for your generosity in providing the funding for these essentials.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Kaplan
Graphic Novels Give Kids Novelty!
Funded Dec 16, 2013Thank you so much for believing that graphic novels are important to a student's reading progress. My students are so thrilled with the TOON books that I have found students hiding them in their desks. They want to be the first to read these new additions to our class and they don't want anything to get in their way. These books build confidence in my struggling readers. The TOON books excite even my most reluctant readers. They want to read them during silent reading. They want to take them home to read. They want to read them with their partners. They laugh. They smile. They read! It's been wonderful. Without your generosity this would not have happened.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Kaplan
This classroom project was brought to life by TOON Books and 23 other donors.Jump Start Math with "Jump Math"
Funded Nov 20, 2013Your generosity in donating to this project has made an outstanding impact on my students. Before I started using the JUMP Math program, most of my students were interested in math. For some of them, it was probably their favorite part of the day. But some of them struggled, to say the least. However, after I started using JUMP Math, they all were excited about math, telling me how "cool" or "fun" it is. The first unit is a "Confidence Building" one on fractions. Wow! All my students got it and loved it! One of my students had very high anxiety around math and would often shut down during math time. Not any more! She requested to take her math book home so that she could do more fractions. Now, that is amazing! I cannot tell you what it means me to see the lights going on in their brains and the joy on their faces as they really learn these new concepts. Your donations have made this all possible. Thank you so much!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Kaplan
This classroom project was brought to life by Innovate Foundation and 5 other donors.Stand Up Tall for Learning!
Funded Oct 29, 2013Wow! My students were so excited when they saw the desks and stools!! They just didn't know what to do. We decided as a class that we will set up a schedule for sharing them. None of them can wait their turn! These desks will make such a difference for the students who need movement during certain times of the day. They will be able to concentrate much more on the math problems and the science activities that we will be doing. One student remarked, "I can even swing my feet or stand up and I won't bother anyone!"
We really appreciate your generosity in providing these great additions to our classroom.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Kaplan
Books! Books! Books!
Funded Feb 18, 2013Thank you so much for your generous donations to support reading in my classroom. The students are really enjoying the books. They have shared them, recommending different ones to each other. They love the Nancy Drew mysteries as well as the humorous Marvin Redpost chapter books and Lunch Lady graphic novels. I overhear them tell something funny that happened in Why Pick on Me?, one of the Marvin Redpost chapter books and the other student begs to be next to read that book. They gather in groups to read Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute. The Origami Yoda and Fortune Wookie books are a real hit. It's really heart-warming to see such interest in reading and understanding books. They are becoming life-long readers because of your donations.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Kaplan