Past projects 8
A Safe & Healthy Start!
Funded Aug 13, 2021Thank you so much for providing our students with materials for a safe start to the school year! Wearing masks help keep transmission rates lower during the pandemic. This will hopefully mean our class will stay healthy and decrease the chances of returning to remote learning. We love being in person with each other, but need to do it in a safe way. I'm grateful for your donation in providing masks that will keep our class healthy!! Thank you again for your support!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Luu
This classroom project was brought to life by Bill Gates and 5 other donors.Keeping Up With the Classroom
Funded Oct 25, 2019Thank you once again for your generous donation!! Your kind act is truly appreciated!
This winter season is passing with lots of sniffling noses and lingering coughs. The many boxes of tissues and sanitizing wipes have been tremendously helpful in making sure germs do not spread throughout the classroom!
Helping restock some classroom basics has gone a long way too. We now have enough scissors and glue for each student, so activities run much smoother. Chart paper and markers are always appreciated in helping create visuals for students to reference. Students love writing on the white board, so colorful markers have been a hit. I never lose the white board erasers now because of their magnetic pull to the board!
Thank you for helping to make it happen!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Luu
This classroom project was brought to life by An anonymous classroom supporter and 3 other donors.We Need Diverse Books!
Funded Aug 13, 2019Thank you again for your generous donation in providing more diverse books to my classroom! Not only have you made an impact on with my students, but these books have been shared with multiple classrooms as read alouds. The selected texts are supportive and important in teaching various reading strategies and skills, like theme and inferencing. Their perspectives have been changed because of these texts and the lessons learned. We have books that open up discussions about gender, identity, tolerance and more. Students are making connections to characters and learning new ideas.
Everyday we have 15 minutes of independent reading and each week I introduce books to the class. They are always so excited to read the new books that are featured. There is usually a waiting list because students want to read them. Students are invested in the books, characters, and their own personal growth.
I had some reluctant readers at the beginning of the year. They struggled with finding a book to actively read and finish. Then they began reading the donated books from beginning to end and were able to discuss characters, events, and lessons with each other. One of my students made particular connections with "The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: the Story of Dr. Temple Grandin." While reading he was constantly relating to Dr. Grandin and talking about his experiences and feelings. Another student read "My Papi Has a Motorcycle" and opened up about her relationship with her father and how they are building connections together. When my student felt judged for the clothing she wore, she read "Annie's Plaid Shirt" that allowed her to connect and learn more about herself. Books have an amazing ability to allow students to be vulnerable and make connections to characters and situations that bolster their own confidence. You generously made that happen because of your donation. Thank you again for supporting the growth of our future leaders! We appreciate your kindness and dedication to our students!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Luu
This classroom project was brought to life by An Anonymous Funder and 8 other donors.Sensory Support & Flexible Seating
Funded Aug 26, 2019Thank you for your donation in giving access to flexible seating and sensory tools to students! Your impact reaches beyond my classroom and into other 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade classrooms too. I have collaborated with other faculty members to find solutions to specific behaviors and shared the resources you have helped provide for their students as well. You helped to make that happen.
In our classroom we have created a BREAK area that works as a calming safe space to regroup or work. Many of the tools have been included for students to use as a sensory friendly outlet to manage their behavior and productivity. Then throughout the day students are able to access other tools when needed. A wiggle cushion has aided in movement and allows students to refocus on academics while quietly giving an outlet to excess energy. Fidget cubes and sensory balls have helped them regulate their stress during lessons or while working. Noise cancelling headphones have been incredibly helpful in filtering any distractions and having students concentrate on their own thought process. Together these resources facilitate a caring and safe classroom that supports various physical needs in my students.
Thank you again for generously making this project happen! Your act of kindness has helped students become more successful in their learning!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Luu
Minds on Snack Time
Funded Nov 12, 2019Thank you so much for funding this project! In sponsoring bulk snacks, you have ensured enough food for a few months. I am so thankful for your support in providing brain food for my growing scholars. I know my students will be grateful for your generosity and will think of your kindness everyday while munching. Thank you again for filling rumbling stomachs with snacks!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Luu
Classroom Set of Headphones
Funded Dec 11, 2015Thank you again for your donation in ordering a set of headphones for our classroom! We really appreciate your generosity! The students were so excited to see the order come in and continue to use them every single day. They are able to independently practice literacy skills, view videos we share on Google Drive, and cancel out any distractions. The headphones are not too tight or loose, but just perfect so that my students feel comfortable wearing them. This is a huge shift from their headphones before and for that we are truly grateful.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Luu
This classroom project was brought to life by Townsend Press and 4 other donors.Help Stock Our Classroom Library!
Funded Oct 27, 2015Thank you for your donation in order to expand reading materials in our library! The books have made an incredible difference within our class!
It has been a while since the order of books arrived, but are still constantly being read. Initially there was an internal urgency with a few students to read all the books in the series "My Weird School Daze" or "Magic Tree House." For some students it was the first time they started and finished a chapter book and their success was a celebratory milestone within 4th grade. The fervor has not subsided, however they are now choosing texts like "The Red Pencil," "Maniac Magee," and "The Watson's Go to Birmingham" where the themes and content are heartier and the vocabulary more challenging.
These books are not limited to my classroom, but shared with others. There is a 3rd grader who has recently delved into the "I Survived" series and comes every few days to read more. Students across 4th grade want to read a biography on Gabby Douglas and find out what Chris Paul is writing about. They want to learn more about Misty Copeland's journey as a black ballerina and other influential women throughout the world. A book club started with a few staff and 4th graders featuring "A Long Walk to Water." The books have ignited interest and conversations!
One of the most popular within our library has been "Careers: The Graphic Guide to Finding the Perfect Job for You." Most of my students were unaware of the endless job opportunities they could strive for, but with the book in their hands they were able to explore different job sectors. Many have already chosen a career or three they are aspiring to. We have future graphic designers, journalists, game developers, cybersecurity analysts, U.S. Marines, and more in my class. With a book in their hands, they now have a broader perspective of what their future could be.
Once again, thank you for your donation!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Luu
This classroom project was brought to life by Townsend Press and 5 other donors.Building A Culturally Responsive Library
Funded May 8, 2015Thank you once again for your generous donation towards our classroom reading materials! We all greatly appreciate your thoughtfulness in making diverse books available to our students. I honestly could not have predicted how excited our students were at the prospect of having new, different books to read as the orders came in. They all wanted to read this book and that book, a lot of the time hoarding books within their desks to read during free time.
In my class last year, the new books opened up new perspectives and prompted many wonderful discussions. We talked about segregation with the books Child of the Civil Rights Movement, and persevering through challenges with the help of Sonia Sotomayor. I remember one student saying to me, "Ms. Luu, which one of these are interesting? If it's not interesting, I'm not going to read it." I handed her Ellis Island and told her to give it a try. Skeptical, but willing, she started reading it during state testing...and would not put it down. (Luckily we had more than one copy because she did not want to share hers.) Her curiosity prompted her to independently research more about Ellis Island after school, which led to some insightful questioning and conversations.
These books have already been through much use...from last year, to summer school, to this year! Teach for America does our summer program, so teachers from all over the country were able to look through the book selections and be made aware of relevant, diverse books they can use in their own classroom. This year's class has a huge interest in the chapter books. Liberty Porter, First Daughter and Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy are big favorites so far, but we still have nine more months of school to explore through the rest!
There are so many stories I could tell you about our students and these books, so thank you for making those stories possible with your donation!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Luu