Past projects 173
Creating Calm for Kids!
Funded Nov 30, 2021My students are LOVING their new resources! The most popular item would be the glitter gel pens; they are kept safely in the Calm Corner with the other art supplies. The blue and gold are the most popular ones used, as they are our school colors! I really enjoy seeing students use the pens to write positive notes to one another or to create a special piece of art. One of my students recently said, "It brings my art alive!."
When Amazon boxes show up in the classroom, the class knows that someone has contributed to our community! They are very aware of new items that show up. They were very excited and we opened it as a class like we usually do. My favorite part is when they share their news with family members and tell about how kindness impacts the community. I often get positive feedback from parents about how the materials positively impact their children.
Our next goal as a class is to get STEM related items that will allow students to create at the end of each week. This will allow for personal expression during our class "Wonder Hour." We thank you for your kindness!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Brinkman
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 2 other donors.Teaching Ms. B!
Funded Nov 26, 2021I absolutely love to read! I like to choose a quiet spot and spend hours reading with a delicious snack by my side. I have been an avid reader since my childhood, and I try to pass on that mindset to my third grade students. I like to read at home or on a plane when I am traveling to a new place.
I would say one of the most useful pieces of advice given from "The Joyful Teacher" was to ask students what serves them best and what distracts them in the classroom. I feel that the discourse around what a teacher is will continue to change; instead of educators simply dispersing information to students, learning and relationships in the classroom is transactional. Students having a say create a dynamic of ownership and allows them to feel part of their community. I did this as an activity with my classroom and was able to successfully eliminate things that were not helping them learn, as well as add in things that promoted engagement. Another suggestion was to use games in the classroom at the beginning of each week to promote curiosity and play so that students have something to look forward to when coming to school at the beginning of each week. These books have been wonderful in helping me implement useful strategies that benefit my entire classroom.
My favorite moment was creating a "Wonder Hour"; this allows students to explore questions as a class and as an individual. We created an anchor chart with things we wanted to know, and for one hour each week, we spent time researching and finding the answer to these questions. I also was able to show them ways to find valid information and become researchers in a safe way as they navigated the Internet. I am overall thankful for these pieces of literature, as they provide me with opportunities to better my role as a teacher.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Brinkman
This classroom project was brought to life by The Steele Foundation and 4 other donors.Creating a Calm Corner
Funded Sep 28, 2021My students are absolutely LOVING the new materials for their Calm Corner! They are really enjoying the new sensory items to alleviate stress, as well as the hidden pictures activities within the Highlights book. I grew up with these books and remember the joy I had from using them. It is great to share that with my students as they are using them as well.
My students were thrilled to receive the new materials! They appreciate the impact of kindness in the community and are always happy to see boxes with surprises arriving in the classroom!
Our next goal is to get literature for the Calm Corner area; we are seeking books that talk about specific emotions so that students understand and are better able to regulate and use strategies to help with stress.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Brinkman
This classroom project was brought to life by #TeachHealthy with Nature Made and one other donor.Teaching the Teacher!
Funded Sep 27, 2021I absolutely love to read! I am the type of person that gets my hands on a book and wants to read it immediately. I love laying in bed and reading in a relaxing spot so I can absorb my new learning. I often read when I travel (in a car or on a plane) and use it to escape to new places. Reading is one of my favorite things and I love passing on that love to my students.
I really loved the strategies introduced in "Building a Trauma-Informed, Compassionate Classroom: Strategies & Activities to Reduce Challenging Behavior, Improve Learning Outcomes, and Increase Student Engagement." I have spent the most time using this book to create a community of trust and family within the classroom. I have spent more time building relationships with each student so that they feel they have an advocate. I have been using teambuilding activities to help them effectively communicate with one another and I see the impact it has on their well being.
My favorite moment is with a specific student; I have a monolingual that struggles with being in class each day. I have made it a point to spend more time with her and eat lunch next to her when she is in school. My goal was for her to speak several sentences in a social situation. She recently had a short conversation with me about her weekend with family. Hearing that made me see her growth and I know she will continue to make gains in school. I love the impact literature has on my professional life!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Brinkman
Promote Positive Mental Health!
Funded Sep 22, 2021My students are using the resources during our Thrilling Thursday time and in the Calm Corner. I love seeing them use the Tic Tac Toe game together; it builds community and allows them to bond over a game that has been around for a long time. The Bakugan game is popular as well and it helps the students learn how to communicate rules. I have some English Language Learners, and these materials help students come out of their shell and talk more! It has been great to see the impact of the materials in the classroom.
They were VERY excited when they saw the materials! They love the impact of kindness and feel so special when they see a box of new goodies.
The next step is to get things for our Calm Corner; we want to acquire plants and a diffuser to create unique scents to help students stay focused and centered when using the Calm Corner. We are very grateful for things that meet the needs of our diverse learners.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Brinkman
Art Heals!
Funded Sep 9, 2021My students are LOVING their materials! We are using them in our classroom Calm Corner. This is an area of the room where students can go if they are feeling nervous, anxious, anything that is adverse. The area has a sign in sheet where they write what item they are using to help sooth what they are feeling. The most popular thing are the art materials; especially the rainbow scratch paper. I find it is an incredible outlet for students and it makes me happy to see them using the materials with great intention and joy!
They were thrilled! When they see Amazon boxes, they KNOW that someone sent something to our community. It brightens their day and makes them realize that kindness can come from anywhere in the world.
Our next steps as a class are to get plants for the Calm Corner area; we think it would make the space feel even more peaceful and relaxing. We recently read a story called "Lalas Words"-it was about a young girl talking to plants to help them grow and it inspired the idea for this next project. We appreciate you!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Brinkman
This classroom project was brought to life by Osmo and 5 other donors.Mental Health Matters
Funded Aug 13, 2021I have a classroom Calm Corner where my students have access to the new items. In the Calm Corner, students can use the area when they are experiencing adverse feelings. They sign in and use what they need to for regulating those emotions, whether it be sensory materials, books, artwork or stuffed animals. It has been great seeing it help students during the day. As time has gone on, I know the items are helping because some students are needing the area less often.
They were very excited by seeing the materials! Anytime we have an Amazon box, they yell, scream and jump in excitement. It is always a great day when kindness is paid towards our classroom!
Our next steps is to obtain literature and sensory animals for our classroom Calm Corner so that everyone has a wide range of options. I am also hoping for a diffuser so that the area can smell nice and inviting for visitors. I would also like to get some plants, as they would add to creating calm.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Brinkman
This classroom project was brought to life by Bill Gates and 3 other donors.Make Mathematics Magical!
Funded Aug 13, 2021I am excited about the new learning because I have implemented a few things into my math practice that I already see having a positive impact on my students. I am using rubrics in math to have my students evaluate how they are performing on specific standards, such as word problems. It is a higher level thinking skill and allows students to self evaluate and see how they are truly performing.
My favorite moment so far has been with a student that has a history of struggling with math; he told me that he likes the rubrics because it helps him get closer to being "highly proficient" in math. It tells him he is growing in his thinking and attitude towards math. It motivates the students in class and I love hearing the conversations happening!
An upcoming topic I would like to explore more is with science; I want to bring in text that allows students to take part in STEM opportunities. We are lacking in this area in our classroom; it would provide various learning experiences for students to take part in this!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Brinkman
This classroom project was brought to life by 3M.Books Bring Results
Funded Aug 13, 2021I am a person that absolutely LOVES to read! I sit down and try to read a book in one sitting. I have been that way since I was a kid! I love to read at home in my comfy chair, or in a bookstore with iced coffee in hand. I love how reading can transform you to many different places and experiences.
The book I loved the most was on strategies for helping students find success in the classroom. I have worked on building relationships with students and am now spending time meeting with them during lunch to build connections. I enjoy the time spent with each student and am seeing the value and impact it is making. I am seeing minimal behavior issues in the classroom as a result, because they have a need being met.
One of my favorite moments was when I was asking the students for feedback about having lunch with the teacher. One of my girls shared that it was her favorite time that she looked forward to, because "I was in the moment and able to focus on her without any distractions." This shows the power of teacher relationships with students and how it can make them eager to attend school!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Brinkman
This classroom project was brought to life by Bill Gates and 4 other donors.Sweet Rewards for the Sweetest Kids
Funded Jul 29, 2021My sweet ducklings are LOVING the new resources! The smencils are in our Calm Corner and it is very soothing for them to use when they are in that area. It helps calm and regulate their emotions. I also have been giving some as prizes for meeting specific math and reading goals. One moment was when I had a student increase his words per minute by 9 in the last month. He was very proud to have earned the prize! I also have a treasure box they pick prizes from; it makes them so happy to have various options when they open the box!
My class was very excited to receive materials that came from others! They are understanding the impact of kindness and how it can change a community in positive ways.
Our next project will focus on getting prizes for earning top scores in our grade level multiplication challenge. We are ready to soar!!!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Brinkman
This classroom project was brought to life by Kleenex® Brand and 3 other donors.