Past projects 24
Learning on Their Level
Funded Sep 24, 2021We have been using our materials for a few weeks now, and I can't tell you how grateful I am to have these resources available to my students. The books and workbooks have made it a lot easier to work in small groups with my students of various levels.
All students learn at different rates and now I am able to adjust with easily accessible reading materials to meet those individual students needs and enhance those that are on grade level. These materials will not only help this class but others in the future. I would like to send the deepest and most genuine message gratitude to all the donors who have generously made this possible.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Orijel
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 7 other donors.Multi-Cultural Library
Funded Aug 12, 2020Thank you so much for your generous donation that has contributed to a Multi-Cultural Library. It is amazing to see the generosity that people still have towards helping children's academic, and social being.
These books have still not met the hands of students, due to the pandemic and Distance Learning. I have been delaying writing this letter in home that by now we would be back in class. We are at the new epicenter of the pandemic unfortunately, and that is sadly not the case.
I have been reading these books to my students on Fridays as a read aloud and we discuss the themes of the books and I point out the beautiful differences of each culture represented. The students appreciate seeing themselves in these books as well as delving a little deeper into characters that are different as well.
Thank you so much for helping me be a part of opening these students hearts and eyes to the beauty of different cultures, and I hope it helps them gain not just pride in who they are but love and acceptance for those who are different.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Orijel
This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 11 other donors.Charting Through Unknown Territories
Funded May 14, 2020Thank you so much for making this challenging time a lot easier for myself, so that I could properly help my students learn. I was able to continue to instruct using anchor charts provided with your donations, and grade the progress of my students. These were very basic needs that were met and I am so grateful for you generosity. It is hard enough getting use to teaching through zoom but I was able to provide normalcy by charting "old school" the way we do in class. While technology is wonderful, there is something beneficial of having students see my work out problems and ideas with a paper and pencil. ThAnk you again for caring about our students, it is much appreciated.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Orijel
This classroom project was brought to life by Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and 2 other donors.Back to Basics
Funded May 6, 2020I received the books quickly, and my students got them all this past week. When I first told them about the books, during a Zoom Meeting they looked so happy and relieved. They have been excelling and adapting at the new platforms of technology we have been using but they get frustrated when the platforms have errors, or they forget steps on how to navigate the platform. Now they will have half of their assignments be online instead of all thanks to your donation. It will help minimize their screen time without taking away from their learning time. Thank you so much for giving us the gift of getting back to basics.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Orijel
Vroom! Vroom! Books on Wheels!
Funded Aug 25, 2019Our mobile library has come in so handy! It helps us organize our books by TRC reading level, in a way where books are easily visible and accesible. The greatest advantage the cart has provided is allowing us to move the library during small group time. Before we had the cart, students had independent reading would be getting up and down from their seats and sometimes interrupting other students that were working with the teacher. Now, students move the library to their table before small groups start, and then move it back to its place after. Thank you so much for making this possible and helping us be more efficient!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Orijel
Flexing Brain Muscles With Flexible Seating!
Funded Sep 26, 2019We received our nugget a little over a week ago and already we have put them to such great use! Not only does the nugget provide a great place for students read independently or to work on projects, it is lightweight enough for students to move to other areas! We have been moving them during recess to our rug area where are gifted students gather and play chess. The students fight over who gets to sit on the nugget. Such a simple addition to our classroom has really added to our room environment. I am always working towards building a classroom that helps my students feel comfortable and thanks to your donations, I am that much closer to it!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Orijel
This classroom project was brought to life by District Partnership Program and 2 other donors.Check Mate: Enhancing Student's Problem Solving Skills Through Chess
Funded Dec 15, 2017We received the chess sets last week, and what a great way top start the New Year! The student's eyes opened wide when I saw them pulling out the chess sets from the box, they couldn't believe that are class now had 10 chess sets! With the 4 we already have we have almost enough for every student to play a one-on-one game with each other. I had already sent home reading assignments on the purpose of chess, the name of the game pieces and we are about to start on learning different strategies.
Every Friday at the end of the day it is designated "Chess time". It's something the student's are looking forward to at the end of the week. The student's are engaged and focused as they play, and it is a real treat to watch them learn how to play this game of strategy and patience. Thank you so much for your generous donations that have made this possible for these students. Some had not idea how to play, and are now getting skilled at a game they would have otherwise not had the chance to learn how to play! The students and I are very grateful for donors like you, you are teaching students that others value their education and I hope they learn to be generous to others in the future, with your example.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Orijel
Wireless, but Not Powerless With Apple TV!
Funded Oct 16, 2017Thank you so much for your generous contribution to helping our public school students. As a teacher I am always looking to provide students with the most meaningful lessons and instructions, but we don't always have the materials or resources to provide the best for our students. With your donation our class now has an Apple TV. We use the apple tv in various way, first it is such a great and easy way to wirelessly share student work up on our projector using the Apple TV and my iphone. As students are working, I like to stop and share student work, whether its to learn a different way to solve a math problem, or to provide an example of how to do complete an assignment for certain students who need concrete clarification. It is so useful and convenient.
Also, Apple TV lets us use different apps effortlessly, and again wirelessly. One app we use a lot is TED Talks. One skill that is a common core standard, which students are lacking in, is listening skills. We watch, and more importantly listen to Ted Talks to gather information and take notes on a concept or subject we are discussing in class, as well as practicing our listening skills and thinking of main ideas the speaker is speaking of, what perspective he/she is coming from. The students are really benefiting from all this, and I just want to extend my most sincere appreciation and a heartfelt thank you!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Orijel
Gifted Students Need Technology!
Funded Aug 18, 2017Thank you once again for your generous donations! Since we have received the chrome books, the students have been busy on them! My students are gifted learners who excel in different areas, and may times some finish their work early, and to keep them engaged and challenged I provide them with research projects and activities that are standards related but apply to the real world. They are currently working researching careers that they are interested in. They are busy finding descriptions, salaries, college requirements and gathering that information to present through google slides. They are also using it to learn basic cording skills on the website code.org. I have many more plans for the use of these chrome books, and we have you to thank you for it! My students and I would like to say we appreciate you, and all you do for these future leaders.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Orijel
Writing Centered Students
Funded Jul 29, 2015Thank you so much for your generous contribution! i just came back last month from maternity leave and was so excited to put our writing center into action! I feel that writing is such an important life skill, not just academic. This writing center organization box along with composition books have allowed me to create a special writing center for my students. They are able to easily access material for their writing without interrupting their flow. The students get excited to write because I try to emulate a professional writers experience where they draft in their composition books and edit with me and their peers. When they are finished we celebrate their writing achievements with activities such as a "campfire reading" with snores for their narrative writing, or a "Meet the Author" writing convention where other classes come to read the students information writing (this year they wrote an an animal of their choice). So thank you so much and know that your contribution has been much appreciated by students!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Orijel