Ms. Maira Rodriguez's Classroom Edit display name

Current requests

Past projects 6

• Making Math Fun

  Funded Aug 18, 2024

  I would like to thank you for your generous donation of gift cards to the Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT) website. This website is full of fun, colorful, creative and engaging resources that have made our Algebra 1 class fun and exciting. It is crucial for students to practice their math skills on a daily basis. I can just create a list of problems and have them practice, but the worksheets and resources on TPT turn the practice into colorful worksheets or games.

  Being able to have various methods of practicing skills has kept my students engaged and motivated to practice what they are learning. Some activities on TPT require students to walk around the class and collaborate with each other. This has been the greatest positive change in our Algebra 1 class.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Maira Rodriguez

  This classroom project was brought to life by United Airlines and one other donor.

• Graphing Notebooks for Young Mathematicians

  Funded Aug 15, 2024

  My students are growing and showring success in Algebra 1 thanks to their graphing notebooks. Students have one resource where they can take notes, practice in class, complete homework and attached resources. They were happy to hear that they would not have to purchase their notebooks, but had been gifted by a generous donor.

  Our graphing notebooks are our primary resource in Algebra 1. We use notebooks to take notes during lesson. Since they are graphing notebooks, we have been able to easily graph functions and create tables. Many lessons require extra resources (worksheets). Because the notebooks are 8.5 x 11, students can staple these resources directly into the notebook and keep it organized and neat.

  Notebooks are also used for practice and homework. Our notebooks are used and set up so that students take notes on the left hand side and practice on the right hand side. Many students do not have a family member who can help them with their math at home. However, thanks to their organized notebooks, students have example they can easily access at home.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Maira Rodriguez

  This classroom project was brought to life by United Airlines and one other donor.

• In It for the Long Run! 26.2 Miles!

  Funded Dec 4, 2019

  My students have been using the materials for building endurance and muscle strength, as well as recovery after long runs. After our 16 miles practice and 30k race, we used the yoga mats to stretch and yoga. Before the donation of the materials, we would have never been able to do this. Having the mats in my classroom, I can easily access an online stretching/yoga video, move desk out of the way and lay out our mats. We can now have these recovery sessions.

  The first materials my students saw were the yoga mats. Their initial reaction was, "Oh wow, do we get to do yoga now?!" They were also excited to see the exercise latter and resistance bands. Although we are training to run a marathon, they love having non-running days. Seeing the materials, they knew we would now be able to have more effective non-running exercise days.

  The marathon is here. My runners this year are better prepared because they had access to all these exercise materials. After, we will use the muscle rollers and yoga mats for recovering. I will hold on to the materials until the next marathon season begins in August. I am excited for the new season because I know that from day one, I will have a better training plan for my new team including running, strength training and recovery.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Maira Rodriguez

  This classroom project was brought to life by An anonymous classroom supporter and 4 other donors.

• Graphing Notebooks for Mathematicians

  Funded Mar 29, 2016

  Dear Donors,

  I would like to thank you for your donations. Your donations helped provide my students with graphing notebooks. One might think, what can a simple notebook do for a student? Organizations skills, responsibility, structure, reliability, are a few benefits of your donation.

  As 9th graders, students are trying to figure out how to manage work and materials for 6 classes. What is more difficult, is how do they remember everything they have learned? Notebooks are a great aid for these challenges. Students used notebooks with a structure that can be applied to any class: table of contents, objective, lesson and practice. Having all their notes in one location allows easy access to prior knowledge when needed.

  When entering high school, these 9th grades feel immense pressure to adjusting to high school life. A simple notebook for one math class alleviates the pressure. They have one class covered, and they have an idea as how to approach note-taking and study skills for all their other classes.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Maira Rodriguez

• Interactive Notebooks!

  Funded Aug 24, 2014

  At the beginning of the semester, I had asked students to go out and find a "five-star" spiral notebook. I notified them that they would cost between $4-$5. Many students were concerned that they might not be able to afford one. Still, they made an effort. Many bought a regular spiral notebook because the five-star" were too expensive. I acknowledged their effort for caring enough to have the necessary materials. Once I received the donated notebooks, I had students trade their notebooks for one of the donated "five-star". They seemed happy and relieved.

  Students began making interactive notebooks for the days' lessons. They take notes on a daily basis. Any handout assigned is stapled into the correct section and used as an extra resource for understanding.

  Many students did not see the immediate benefit of an interactive notebook. However, we began studying for our final last week. It was great to see how easy it was for students to research topics with their notebooks. As a mock final, I asked them to try their best. They could not ask any questions, only use their notebooks. I saw much relieve in their faces when they were able to find all their answers in their notebooks.

  A notebook might be a simple bit of supply taken for granted. But, in my classroom, all my students have seen what a difference it has made in their understanding and study skills.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Maira Rodriguez

  This classroom project was brought to life by Gates Foundation Back To School and 2 other donors.

• Fun Colorful Projects!

  Funded Feb 2, 2012

  I would like to greatly thank you for contributing to the success of our students. I had originally intended to use the materials to allow students to show their creativity and artistic skill in their projects. And as you can see in the pictures, their projects are beautiful and full of color. To my surprise, the material turned out to be more helpful than expected. While presenting lessons, I noticed that students where having trouble following examples. It was great to have immediate access to colors in order to allow students color code their notes. For those of us who have heard of good scaffolding techniques, color coding is a great one.

  Your donations have not only allowed students to be creative but, have also assisted in their learning and understanding of the material. Lastly, it had shown them that their are kind, caring, giving individuals out there. ”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Maira Rodriguez

  This classroom project was brought to life by Wasserman Foundation and 11 other donors.