Past projects 24
Basic Stools for Comfortable Seating
Funded May 3, 2018Thank you SO MUCH to all of our supporters who brought this project to life. My students and I are daily reminded of your kindness and generosity as these cheerful stools have become an essential part of our music classroom.
Before these stools arrived, there used to be several bulky, wobbly, non-stackable chairs in the music room, which of many were borrowed from the alcove near the music room. They used to take up lots of space that could have been used for movement activates. Those chairs also used to make the room crowded and disorganized. As soon as the stools arrived, I put away every one of those chairs back in the alcove. I was never so happy carrying that many chairs back and forth even after a busy day at school! I was just so excited to get rid of those bulky chairs and make more room in my classroom.
The 30 colorful stools arrived in our music classroom four days ago. They came in three giant boxes. They were definitely an eye-catching humongous size! (Several staff members asked me what was in the boxes.) I was with a class with 4th and 5th graders when they all showed up in my room. I had just told those students about this soon-to-happen delivery; therefore, when the classroom door got opened and the boxes were brought in by one of our staff members, the students could not wait to open up the boxes and see the stools themselves. (You can see that excitement in the pictures!)
Since these stools arrived four days ago, our upper grade students use them daily. A majority of them appreciate sitting on these stools way more than sitting on the rug even just for a few minutes. At the same time, it turned out that our younger students also enjoy sitting on these stools despite my expectation that the stools would be too high for them. My students and I appreciate many features of these stools: bright colors, light weight, and being stackable. Especially as a teacher, I really love that fact the stools are light and stackable, which enables me to set up or change the room quickly between classes (Daily, I have four classes in a row without any break until my lunch!) When you teach so many classes, any thoughtful little change really makes a big difference.
I appreciate all of the donations, big or small, from our donors: the anonymous donor from Minnesota, our PS 173 alumnus donor, Brett Whiton, Scherrie Donaldson, and Salesforce.org. We thank you for your support and for your kind messages, which we read together in class. It touches my heart to know my students and I are being supported by people who we have never met. It feels GREAT as a teacher to think there are people who are rooting for us. Thank you again for bringing these materials to my students!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Sable
This classroom project was brought to life by Salesforce.org and 7 other donors.Air Purifier Fan for Non-Air-Conditioned Music Room
Funded Feb 16, 2018As soon as the Dyson air purifier/fan arrived in our music room, students noticed it right away and got very curious about it. Why wouldn't they? It is such a cool-looking, eye-catching item in our old-fashioned music room! Even other staff members at the school often looked at it and talked about it. So, with my students, before I said much, they started asking questions including, what it is, how we got it, how much it costs (they always ask this question!), how it works, and how we can test it.
Of course, one of the key moments during our discussion was when I told the students about DonorsChoose, our generous supporters, and Salesforce's match offer. I mentioned that we received donations from others because they are rooting for us to do a good job in school. Many of them looked quite serious and nodded their head.
Some of the students pointed out that the machine's unique design without a blade will be especially beneficial to our littlest PreK students (I teach PreK through 5th grade). They said that was because there is no danger of the youngest students getting curious and sticking their little fingers into the moving fan!
The more time my students have spent in this music room, the more they seem to appreciate this giant fan. That is because you don't forget about their not-so-pleasant experience of being super hot in this non-air-conditioned room on the top floor. Therefore, receiving this air purifier/fan led my 5th graders, the oldest students in the building, to talking about their previous experience in the room during the summer. Then, when I told the students that this cool machine also works as an air-purifier, we immediately had some cheering students who later I learned have allergies or asthma.
I started working at my school last September. I remember even during September, the heat was a big obstacle. It was not easy to stay focused, and the little personal fan that I brought to the classroom was not enough to share with all of my students. I have no doubt that this cool machine will help my students and me to feel more comfortable, and therefore it will help us do our job better.
My students and I are truly very grateful. Thank you for supporting us.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Sable
This classroom project was brought to life by Salesforce.org and 7 other donors.Help Us Learn to Read Music
Funded Jan 25, 2018Since the printer joined our music classroom, my students have been benefiting from more visual references. Those include colorful Kodaly hand sign posters for solfege learning (singing in do, re, mi...) and music symbols for reading music for singing and playing instruments. Lessons using the visual tools have increased students engagement. I have noticed even when some students were walking by my room in the hallway, they look at the solfege posters and start singing, which always brings me a big smile. The printer also helps organize the classroom. One example is creating labels for various purposes. Organization in the classroom definitely help students' achievement.
The number of ways to utilize the printer is endless, and I am positive that this little all-in-one printer has broadened our learning opportunities. Thanks to you, we learn more, and when we do, it is more fun and effective. Thank you for supporting our music classroom. Thank you for supporting public education.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Sable
This classroom project was brought to life by The First Million Fund and 2 other donors.High-Quality Vacuum Cleaner for Our Music Room!
Funded Oct 9, 2017When the Dyson vacuum arrived, my students were excited and happy. Many of them wanted to try it right away. Some of them told me they recognized it from a TV commercial, with extra excitement. The students asked lots of questions related to the vacuum – How many parts did it come with? How does each part work? How long does it have to be charged? What is the warranty and how does it work? My students also examined the vacuum to see how it worked with their own eyes. Very serious discussions regarding the vacuum happened in our music room.
Equally importantly, my students and I talked about how we received this gift. The people, who none of my students met, contributed to our music class because they cared, because they wanted to help. I told them to remember that there are always people who would like to reach out and help. I also told my students that when they receive that help, they should take it to their hearts and be grateful.
Ever since we received this Dyson vacuum, quick clean-up, especially of the rug area, is so much easier. Students, particularly those who have asthma, are happy. It has been a motivation for students to be responsible for the space we share, because there is now a fun factor – rolling with this cool Dyson vacuum. My students and I are going to remember this very first project on DonorsChoose for our music program. Thank you very much, donors, for your support!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Sable