Past projects 9
Just Breathe
Funded Jun 18, 2021Thank you so much for your generosity and support. I enjoyed the 6 -week Breathe For Change class I took over the summer. It was truly transformative for me. Some highlights from the class were the guided meditations, the community groups, meeting and sharing ideas with teachers from all over the country and learning to be a yoga teacher.
Upon returning to school in September, I have had the opportunity to use the activities and strategies with some of my colleagues and many of the students in my school community.
As the Intervention Reading teacher in the school, I have to test students for the reading program. I always begin with breathing exercises before I test them which really helps to settle their nerves.
I also had the chance to work with Kindergarten and some upper grades too using the yoga or mindful movements with them.
Taking the Breathe For Change class will always be a highlight of my career and will continue to benefit the students for years to come!
With the most sincere thanks and appreciation,”
With gratitude,
Ms. Katz
This classroom project was brought to life by J.W. Couch Foundation and 21 other donors.Play-Doh Creates Critical Thinking
Funded Aug 18, 2014Thank you so much for your generous donation of the Play-Doh and Play-Doh tools you donated to my Kindergarten students. The first week of school the children decorated a large piece of paper which I laminated and made into their Play-Doh mats. The Play-Doh center is definitely a favorite. The kids love to use the letter cut outs to make sight words, names, and other words that they learn. They also love to make flowers, snakes, and lots of other wonderful creations from their 5 year old imaginations. We are studying dinosaurs so many of the children love to create Dino skeletons with the Play-Doh as well. They get so excited and always want to show off their creations.
The Play-Doh has helped with their language development, socialization and creativity. We are very grateful to you and we LOVE our Play-Doh!!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Katz
Kindergarten Needs Non-Fiction Reading Materials
Funded Sep 28, 2012Thanks to your generosity and support, my ESL Kindergarten students have been enjoying the Scholastic News and Time For Kids magazines. They arrive each month with four issues along with the online subscription.
The colorful photographed pages keep the students engaged and interested in each issue we read. They have gained so much valuable knowledge and learned so much from these magazines.
The online subscription has been an invaluable bonus. It consists of an online copy of the current (and archived) issues, videos (aligned with the topics of each issue), games, printables, and lesson plans. The children love the videos and games. I love how I can show the magazine on the Smart Board and the students can follow with the hard copy in their hands.
These magazines have been so helpful in teaching current events, current themes and they are aligned with the Common Core State Standards. The students have gained so much from these magazines as a part of their Kindergarten education.
We Love Scholastic News and TIme For Kids!
Thank You!!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Katz
This classroom project was brought to life by Kia Motors America and 3 other donors.New Kindergarten Class Needs Supplies
Funded Sep 17, 2012Thank you for the supplies you donated to my ESL Kindergarten class in September. The letter stamps were so helpful in the first half of the year for the students to learn how to form letters, recognize letters, and learn how to spell their own names. The stamps continue to be a wonderful resource because now the students are learning to make words and write sentences. They are more confident using the stamps now and the have fun while they are learning.
Along with the letter stamps, the alphabet and number puzzles were also such fabulous tools for letter and number recognition, working with puzzles, and learning while having fun.
I recently introduced the "Let's Go Shopping" counting game to the class. They loved it! It is definitely a hot commoditiy and a popular choice for choice time.
Your generosity continues to make a difference in my students' lives.
Thank You!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Katz
New Kindergarten Class Needs Books
Funded Sep 17, 2012Thank you for your generous gift of literacy for my ESL Kindergarteners. My students arrived to my classroom in September and most of them did not speak English or understand me. With lots of pictures, charts, gestures (facial and hand), and relia, they are learning English at rapid speed.
In just six months, they have grown and blossomed so much! They are listening more, speaking more and most are even reading and writing. I know that the books you donated to our classroom have helped make such an impact on my students' growth and achievements.
The children love the beautiful photos/pictures the books offer and get excited when choosing the next book to read.
We appreciate you!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Katz
Hector the Projector
Funded Dec 24, 2010I am writing to thank you for your generous contribution to my class of fourth grade students to receive a projector. We are thrilled to accept this wonderful classroom tool that adds wonders to our classroom and my lessons.
Many of the classrooms in my school received Smart Boards this year due to new construction of the school. Unfortunately, I was not one of the classrooms to receive one. The projector is a great alternative to the Smart Board. I find it very useful (more useful than I even realized) and the kids love when I take it out for lessons.
So far we have found many different ways to use the projector in the classroom. For example, our class recently received a funding for a classroom magazine. The class loved exploring the magazine's website which helps bring the stories to life. We even took a tour of Egypt thanks to the use of the projector. The projector is also great because I can explore a website with the students and show them how to navigate through it. I think it's very important to teach young students how to discern information that they gather from the Internet. The projector makes that very easy to do.
In addition, I am able to project books and stories so the whole class can read the same text and answer questions about it. Also, I recently treated the class to a viewing of a movie, based on my favorite children's book, that I recently read to them. They really enjoyed watching the movie and the only way that was possible was with the use of the projector.
In conclusion, my students and I are very grateful and honored that you chose our grant to fund through DonorsChoose.com. It was very thoughtful and kind of you. Your gift has made a huge impact on the lives of many NYC fourth grade students.
”
With gratitude,
Ms. Katz
This classroom project was brought to life by American Express Members Project and 3 other donors.Making "Current Events" Fun
Funded Dec 17, 2010I am writing to thank you for your generous contribution to my class of fourth grade students to receive Scholastic's Weekly Reader. We are thrilled to accept these wonderfully informative and educational classroom current events magazines.
I initially requested these magazines to help bring Current Events into my classroom. However, upon acquiring them for a few weeks now, I can tell you that my students are receiving so much more than just "Current Events". They are learning multiple reading skills such as locating details, comparing and contrasting and making predictions, just to name a few. In addition, I use the magazines to teach grammar, critical thinking, and persuasive writing (opinion section). The students are also building much needed nonfiction reading skills and developing as critical thinkers. We certainly are getting much more out of the magazines than I ever thought we would.
Your generous contribution is certainly making a positive impact on 26 grateful students and 1 ecstatic teacher. ”
With gratitude,
Ms. Katz
Building a Classroom Library for Eager Multilingual Fourth-Grade Learners - Part 1
Funded Dec 16, 2004Thank you, gracias, merci...
I am grateful for your generosity and kindness. My students are going to be thrilled when I share the great news with them. These books will be a much needed bonus to our library. Have a wonderful holiday and thanks again”
With gratitude,
Ms. Katz
Building a Classroom Library for Eager Multilingual Fourth-Grade Learners- Part 2
Funded Nov 25, 2004Thank you so much for your generous donation to my classroom. My 28 ELL students will enjoy and benefit greatly from the libraries. I look forward to getting the books and surprising my class with them. They are going to be so excited. Thank you again and have a very happy holiday season.
Sara ”
With gratitude,
Ms. Katz