Past projects 9
"Just Right" Seats for All!
Funded Dec 21, 2018Having these different seats that meet the needs of my students has made such a difference in our classroom! Especially now with Covid and the social anxiety, giving the kids a special spot to settle in really comforts them. They are able to concentrate better during lessons and look forward to choosing what seat they will use. In addition, the seats allow the children to figure out how they learn best and what seats help them the most. They are now aware of what works for them and can better manage their bodies in our classroom. Thank you so much for your generosity!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Simek
Let's Read!
Funded Sep 7, 2018The children have loved the new books and have been eager to read them all. We have been working hard to move into chapter books and many of the books we got were just right! In addition, there were a lot of high interest nonfiction books that were at the children's levels. They have enjoyed reading about animals and places around the world.
In our classroom, reading is a priority and a favorite time of day. The children enjoy getting cozy on our rug and losing themselves in their books. These new books are a perfect mix of fiction and nonfiction. They also filled up our second grade level bins. The kids are so grateful to have choices of different books to read. Camilla has discovered that she loves Amelia Bedelia because she is so silly and gets all the directions wrong. Elijah has been reading and rereading a nonfiction book on tornadoes. He enjoys sharing new facts with his friends during buddy reading time.
I cannot express enough how your generosity has made our classroom a better place. We are all very humbled by your kindness and cannot thank you enough. It's through your example that my students have learned the importance of giving. We look forward to paying it forward. Thank you again.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Simek
Board? What Board?
Funded Aug 23, 2017I cannot thank you enough for your generosity. When our board first was hung up the children cheered. They were so excited! We use the white board for all of our lessons! Now we have space to show our work and share our ideas. For example, in math, the children can come up and show how they worked out a math problem or in reading they can share the text evidence they found working with their groups. Also, we now have space to put charts and helpful words. The children can come up to the board and find what they need independently. Our white board has become an integral part of our daily classroom life. It has improved my teaching and the children's learning substantially. I cannot thank you enough.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Simek
Station to Station
Funded Feb 22, 2016Dear Donors,
I cannot express how grateful we are for the math centers. The children clapped and cheered when they were delivered! They have enjoyed doing the activities and love the independence! The centers are engaging and have multiple levels. Charlotte, one of my higher students, was ecstatic when she saw the more challenging options! Now that the school year is winding down, we are reviewing second grade math skills. These centers have become a wonderful way to let students go over skills they have not mastered. Your generosity has greatly impacted math in our classroom this year and will continue to make a difference in years to come. Thank you again.
Sincerely,
Brenda Simek”
With gratitude,
Ms. Simek
Centers That Grow Minds
Funded Jul 13, 2015I can't begin to express my gratitude for your generosity. When the new centers came, my students cheered and jumped around the classroom. They LOVE them! These centers are wonderful because they are durable and easy for the children to do independently. They make learning fun and engaging. Language skills that are normally covered with a worksheet now have a game-like quality. They have step by step directions with pictures so the children know what to do for each activity. Also, the centers have self checking answer cards. This allows the children a chance to self assess and fix any mistakes they have made. If you ask any of the children what their favorite time of the day is, they will tell you it's center time. I would have never been able to have bought these centers on my own!
The centers are all reading and language based. They cover a variety of skills, from contractions and long vowel sounds to sequencing and sentence writing. All of these are skills that are necessary to build fluent readers and strong writers. The best part is the children love the centers so much that they are happy to do the same one multiple times. This is crucial for kids who need extra practice. One of the boys in my class has only been in this country for a year now. Today he was able to correctly spell all 8 words in his phonics center for the first time! His smile was priceless!
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Simek
Ravenous Readers Need Books to Listen to!
Funded Nov 3, 2014I cannot thank you enough for your generosity! Before your gift we didn't have books to listen to or I would get 1 book and the cd from the library. Now the children have a variety of leveled books to choose from. Also, they can each have their own book to hold! This is priceless and the children and I are truly grateful. Your donation has made the listening center a success. The children love it! They ask to listen to the books. After, they share their favorite part. Now they can each have a book to use for this so they can turn to the part they want. There is less arguing and stress. Thank you again!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Simek
Copier Needed
Funded Apr 10, 2009I just want to thank you for your generous donation. This copy machine has changed my entire classroom. My students can write on worksheets now instead of copying questions out of a text book. Before this machine, they used to spend all of their time copying questions and hardly finish any of their work! As an added bonus, this machine is also a printer. This has allowed my students to type up their writing for the first time. They are so proud of their typed up work. It's all they want to do and has motivated them to write so much more. Teaching has been easier and my students are much more productive thanks to you. So thank you again for making such a big impact on my third graders' lives.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Simek
This classroom project was brought to life by Korein Foundation and one other donor.Frog Study
Funded Jun 19, 2008Thank you so much for donating our frog habitats! We can't wait to set them up and watch the tadpoles grow. This is a wonderful way for my students to really see how a frog changes instead of reading about it in their science books. Your generosity and thoughtfulness will be greatly appreciated. Teaching in a poverty stricken neighborhood with students who often don't have basic needs met can weigh on ones heart. It's the kindness of others like you who lift spirits and bring hope. Thank you again. We can't wait to take pictures and send them to you!
Sincerely,
Brenda ”
With gratitude,
Ms. Simek
Classroom Art Supplies
Funded Aug 1, 2006Thank you so much for your generous gift! I can't begin to tell you how useful all of these art supplies will be in the upcoming year for my students. Your generosity will truly touch the lives of the children in my classroom and make their learning more fun and hands on. Thank you, again! You have made my day!!!
Sincerely,
Brenda ”
With gratitude,
Ms. Simek