Past projects 12
Compassion through Knowledge
Funded Jun 19, 2024As a dedicated reader, I cannot express my gratitude for the gift of high interest books for my classroom. This is a resource that is invaluable to my students but is also quite expensive. I have such an array of student ability levels and interests, so the more options I have-- the better! I hope that through these novels, my students will also find their passion for reading and seeking out the answers to the questions reading facilitates.
Currently, students are using these novels to engage is extended research for their first research paper of the year. Because of the accessibility, there is no delay between "I wonder if..." and "I think I have a book for that." It is the best part of my day.
Again, I cannot thank you enough!”
With gratitude,
Ms. McClanahan
This classroom project was brought to life by The Compassion Project and one other donor.Extending Beyond the Classroom
Funded Feb 19, 2024I cannot thank you enough for helping fund my donors choose. It is through donations such as these that I am able to offer my students enrichment and extension texts that not only give them a deeper knowledge of the world they live in, but allow them to find their own connections and areas of interest that they can research. I am so happy to offer my students these works, and to allow them to stretch their intellectual muscles! I cannot do this without the help of generous donors like yourselves!”
With gratitude,
Ms. McClanahan
This classroom project was brought to life by Dow and one other donor.Lifelong Learners
Funded Nov 27, 2023Thank you again for funding the amazing novels for our classroom library. With each new standalone novel or series, I find my students' curiosity grow! I have recently had the students of other English teachers come to my room asking about books their friends have read! I am happy to be able to loan books out to all students as well as have recommendations for librarians to purchase based on student interest.
English often gets overlooked with technology funding comes along, but funding for new and interesting books is always needed and greatly appreciated. I am beyond grateful for you, donors, and the donors choose platform. Without both, my classroom library would be about 15 years behind the times.”
With gratitude,
Ms. McClanahan
Literacy to Love
Funded Oct 5, 2023Thank you so much for helping me to provide such amazing books for my students! This year, I have a particularly reluctant bunch, and through your donations, I was able to get so many students engaged in independent reading! They were so surprised at the wide array of books that I sat out for our annual "Speed Dating with a Book."
While we have an amazing library here at Ballard, there is something about being able to immediately hand a student a book in the moment that they show signs of interest. Without any time to decide they aren't interested, they already have a book in hand and are sitting down to give it a try. Thank you for giving me the resources to make that possible!”
With gratitude,
Ms. McClanahan
This classroom project was brought to life by The Peterson Family and one other donor.Student Necessities
Funded Aug 20, 2023I cannot thank you enough for helping me to provide an assortment of necessities to my students. While they were not the traditional school supplies one thinks of, they are no less important. I might even say they are more important. I cannot tell you how many times a kid has come to me, visibly stressed out, asking for deodorant because they forgot theirs at home or played a little too hard in gym. I cannot imagine them being able to concentrate with that on their mind. I have been able to send home sanitation products with girls who need them, and did not have access at home. This is all thanks to you, and I cannot thank you enough!”
With gratitude,
Ms. McClanahan
A Comfortable Classroom
Funded Mar 31, 2023Thank you again for funding my Donors Choose for an adjustable height table and chair. I can confidently say that because of these items, my classroom is forever changed. The only downside is that I have been bitten by the flexible seating bug, and now I want more options!
Since receiving this amazing gift, I have seen marked improvements in engagement. Having a standing desk means I can allow students someplace to stand and work without being a disruption or without them feeling in the way. Not only does this help students academically, but it also teaches them to advocate for themselves and understand their own needs as a student.
I could have never purchased these items on my own. I am not speaking hyperbolically when I say you have changed lives through this donation. I cannot thank you enough!”
With gratitude,
Ms. McClanahan
A Welcoming Classroom
Funded Nov 29, 2022Thank you so much for this wonderful donation! The books were an amazing addition to our classroom library, and came just in time for our independent reading project! I used the laminator to make a set of character pictures to hang up for our new unit, The Great Gatsby. Lastly, we had the ACT, and I was able to give all of my students mints before they walked into the test! This is all thanks to your thoughtful donations. I am beyond grateful for your thoughtfulness, and I know my students are too. There is nothing better than telling them we have a donors choose package on the way, as they know that all of its contents are hand-picked just for them!
Again, thank you so much.”
With gratitude,
Ms. McClanahan
This classroom project was brought to life by Panda Cares and one other donor.The Modern Library
Funded Jan 21, 2023Every year, I allow students to pick whatever book they want to read and we dedicate 15 minutes of every class to reading time. As high school students, they do not always get to choose their own materials for fear of missing curriculum before the state testing comes around. I have found that this small dedication of time brings them not only joy, but a sense of calm and peace in the day. This year has by far, been the most successful year of independent reading, and that is due to your generous donation. I had kids finishing books in a week and coming back for the sequel or another book in the same genre. I had kids trading books and recommending them to other teachers. It was so heart warming and really reminded me to not get bogged down in all of the red tape of education. I cannot thank you enough for giving this gift to me and my students.”
With gratitude,
Ms. McClanahan
The Library of Their Dreams!
Funded Dec 12, 2022Every year, I allow students to pick whatever book they want to read and we dedicate 15 minutes of every class to reading time. As high school students, they do not always get to choose their own materials for fear of missing curriculum before the state testing comes around. I have found that this small dedication of time brings them not only joy, but a sense of calm and peace in the day. This year has by far, been the most successful year of independent reading, and that is due to your generous donation. I had kids finishing books in a week and coming back for the sequel or another book in the same genre. I had kids trading books and recommending them to other teachers. It was so heart warming and really reminded me to not get bogged down in all of the red tape of education. I cannot thank you enough for giving this gift to me and my students.”
With gratitude,
Ms. McClanahan
Reading for Diversity
Funded Sep 24, 2022Again, thank you so much for your donation to our classroom library!
As you may notice, some of the books that we ordered are not pictured here. That is because as soon as I unboxed them, I was bombarded by students ready to read them! There are several books that have still not made it back to the shelves as they have been passed from one student to the next.
I hope that these smiling faces show you just how much your donation means to them. High school students aren't always doted on, but when they do get a little treat, it truly makes their day!”
With gratitude,
Ms. McClanahan
This classroom project was brought to life by The Allstate Foundation and one other donor.