Past projects 15
Let's Get Organized!
Funded Nov 4, 2024Thank you for contributing to my classroom project. Students were excited to receive their own pencil box to keep their items organized -I was happy not to have to buy them out of my own pocket this year-. I am using my travel cart daily to meet with groups of students and give them individualized instruction. Having all my supplies in one cart has made this process so much easier. The play dough has been a big hit! Students use it for brain breaks as well as to work out math problems. We are currently using the play dough to learn about fractions.
It warms my heart to know that there are people in the world that care about our schools and are willing to give to help improve students' educational experiences. As a classroom teacher, every bit does help. I appreciate your generosity and can't thank you enough.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Maseba
Dance! Sing! Let's Make Learning Fun
Funded Sep 21, 2023I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for your generous donations. The audio system is being used to amplify music and lessons throughout the day. I have 2 students with hard of hearing issues this year, and it has made learning in the classroom for them so much easier. In addition to music, having a good audio system allows me to incorporate educational podcasts, audio books, and other interactive learning games into our daily lessons.
Your donation has sparked joy into our classroom and has helped foster a fun and collaborative learning community. My group of students love to dance and sing this year; they are looking forward to a class karaoke party!
Your contribution will continue to make a lasting difference in the lives of students for many years to come.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Maseba
This classroom project was brought to life by Olga Graham Inspiring Teachers Fund and 5 other donors.Calming Area
Funded Mar 29, 2023The new school year has started and even just after the first week, your donations have already made an impact. The "Calming Corner" is the first thing the students noticed when they walked into the classroom for the first time. I didn't explain it right away and let them just wonder. They thought that I had a pet that was going to hang out there, or that it was going to be a reading nook. It was fun just listening to them wonder for the first few days.
When I finally explained the purpose of the calming corner to the class, I could see in their faces that they understood. We co-created the expectations for the use of the calming corner and now, they have a place to take a time-out when needed. I said that there may be times that I use the space as well!
Thank you for adding a safe space in the classroom where students can learn to self-monitor and deal with difficult emotions in a healthy way.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Maseba
This classroom project was brought to life by Olga Graham Inspiring Teachers Fund and 4 other donors.Home Sweet Home
Funded Aug 29, 2022Thank you for supporting our classroom! Our materials have arrived and I have been enjoying adding them to our classroom environment. We are fortunate to have a large window on one side of our classroom and the plants are helping to bring a little nature into our learning environment. Students and other visitors to our class always comment on how it makes our classroom more inviting and calm.
The Cricut maker is an exciting addition to our classroom! I have made signs to put on our walls and doors. I can't wait to make individualized student gifts during the holiday season.
I'm attaching some photos of our classroom. Thank you again for your support of our schools and children!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Maseba
This classroom project was brought to life by Bill Gates and 8 other donors.Clean Up Our Own Mess
Funded Nov 10, 2021My students have named our vacuum "Voomer". We are using Voomer every day. Right now I have two classroom students that share the responsibility. They are doing a fantastic job vacuuming our carpet and floors without any nudging from me. The other students in the class can't wait to get their turn at the class job. The mop is being used as needed to clean up spills and other messes that happen from time to time in our classroom.
Thank you for supporting our classroom and students. It is helping to keep our classroom clean and supporting our custodians that have enough on their plate with all the new protocols they have to follow due to COVID.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Maseba
This classroom project was brought to life by #TeachHealthy with Nature Made and 3 other donors.It's a Bench...It's a Table...It's BOTH!
Funded Jun 25, 2019The benches arrived the day before school started! Putting it together was pretty easy and I was excited to see my students' faces when they entered the classroom for the first time this year.
Needless to say the benches were a hit! "It feels like we are at a park," said one girl. We can fit 3 students comfortably and they love being able to flip them into tables when needed. Students love the flexible seating options these benches have provided.
I get compliments from every single colleague, parent, and past students who visit my room. "How come we didn't have these last year?" is the comment I get the most from my previous students.
Thank you for helping me create a more relaxed and comfortable classroom for my students. It has made a huge difference in how we feel when we enter the room. It's just more cozy!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Maseba
This classroom project was brought to life by Google.org and 2 other donors.Publish Like a Pro!
Funded Apr 4, 2019Ever since the color printer arrived, my students' enthusiasm towards writing and publishing their writing has been exactly what I had hoped for. Many reluctant writers have suddenly become engaged knowing that their final product can include color images and text to enhance their writing.
I have been able to use the color printer to print out poems, Mother's Day cards, thank you cards, class signs, and photos. We use an online tool called Book Creator where students can create books digitally and print them out.
Thanks to your donation, my classroom has become a bit more colorful and fun. You have especially helped those students who didn't think writing is "fun" because they did not feel confident illustrating their own creations by hand. Now they are able to search for images online, insert them into their work, and have the final piece printed out.
We are in the last 2 weeks of school and my students are working on their final independent writing pieces. Today I asked my class what they wanted to do on the last day of school. They said that they wanted to celebrate their published work by sharing their pieces with each other!!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Maseba
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose.org Community and 3 other donors.Chromebooks for Curious Minds and 21st Century Skills
Funded Sep 15, 2018So it's been about 2 weeks since I've started using the 6 Chromebooks you generously provided for my classroom. I've paired them with the 6 desktops we have and so now I have 12 computers that students can use throughout the day, everyday, and don't have to wait until it's "our turn" to use the grade level computer cart.
Students have been using them daily to read online texts that are matched to their reading levels. This helps A LOT because now if there is a student reading below or above grade level, I don't have to go and borrow books from other teachers in other grade levels. Online books also have features that help support readers and keep them engaged. For example, they can click on words to hear how they are pronounced. One feature they love is to record themselves reading and play it back. This helps them with their reading fluency.
My students are now coming in even during their recess times to work on progressing through math, reading, and other content areas. Most of these students do not have access to technology at home so it is leveling the playing field for my most needy students. Learning how to navigate Google Classroom, various applications, and learning how to find information on the internet are all necessary skills to succeed in our world today and you have played a huge role in enriching the lives of these students and many more to come.
I can't thank you enough!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Maseba
Sit, Stand, or Lie Down? Flexible Workspaces for All!
Funded Jul 27, 2018I am writing to thank you all for your generous donations to my classroom! The lap desks and wobble cushions arrived just in time for the new school year. We are on our second week of school and these materials have helped students find ways to make reading more comfortable and fun. It has been amazing to see students figuring out how to share the materials and spread out throughout the classroom with minimal support from me. Having flexible seating options in my classroom plays a critical role in creating independent learners and problem solvers. Thank you for supporting me and my students!!!!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Maseba
The Power of Partnerships!
Funded Sep 9, 2017I cannot begin to tell you how the two couches have impacted my classroom! We have had the couches for about 2 weeks now. Students use them throughout the day to do their work. Students read, write, solve math problems, and use technology on the couches. Initially, the couches were for just 2 students at a time, but students wanted to make room for others and I've seen 3-4 students sit peacefully together while getting work done. It has helped build a stronger community of learners in my classroom. On Fridays, when we clean and organize the room for the week, some students have taken it upon themselves to wipe down the couches to keep them looking clean and fresh.
I received the couches on a Friday afternoon so I eagerly rearranged the classroom so that the couches would be ready on Monday morning. I couldn't wait to see my students faces when they walked in. As they entered the classroom on Monday, there was a moment of jaw-dropping silence and then came the excited mixture of "oohs" and "ahhs" and questions. We spent the first part of our morning coming up with rules and procedures on how and when we would share the couches as a class.
Thanks to your donations, these couches are helping me create a more student-centered learning environment in my classroom. I'm hoping to keep adding more flexible seating options in the future!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Maseba