Past projects 8
Everyday Essentials
Funded Sep 15, 2022Thank you again for your donating of various classroom resources. We have been busy this year learning to read, write, and think critically...and these materials have helped us do so! We were so excited to see that someone who doesn't know us personally, cares so much.
We hope this peek into our classroom shows you how much these materials are necessary for our growth! We use the headphones daily while working on our phonics program on the computers. We also read our new books in the library, which is now organized by genre. Many of the books help us develop important social-emotional skills, and have influenced some great classroom discussions. We use the play-doh to build words with special spelling patterns, and the uniforms/socks are in a bin waiting for any students who may need them.
The materials have helped make our classroom a calm, inviting space. We are very grateful for your assistance in making our first grade year a great one!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Yarrington
Season's Readings!
Funded Dec 11, 2020I was so surprised to receive an email saying my project was fully funded in such a short period of time. I am so appreciative of your donations in order to purchase a book for each student in the class. I cannot wait to see students' faces when they receive their own books. You have brought light and joy to these kids in a time of uncertainty, and for that we are truly grateful!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Yarrington
This classroom project was brought to life by New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund and 3 other donors.Goodie Bags for Individualized Learning!
Funded Aug 7, 2020Although it took longer than anticipated, my students loved picking up their supply bags! This was the first time I met them, and I think this interaction was extra special due to the implications of distance learning. We had a great turnout and almost all families picked up bags on the first day. They now have everything necessary for distance learning and we use the materials on a daily basis. In addition to the supplies you helped purchase, I added materials from my classroom as well, such as connecting cubes, counters, and small whiteboards.
I noticed that students have a great sense of ownership over their materials. We discussed where materials should be kept so they are in a safe, yet accessible place. Over 3/4 of my kids are showing up to class on a daily basis, and completing classwork and homework assignments. Without you, this wouldn't have been possible. My students are so appreciative and they are learning!! Although this year is a bit non-conventional to say the least, we have found a routine and things are going well. From room 201, we want to give a huge THANK YOU to all who helped make this project possible.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Yarrington
This classroom project was brought to life by Kleenex® Brand and 4 other donors.Hands-on Literacy Centers for Young Learners!
Funded Aug 13, 2019Because of your generosity, we are now able to engage in quality, high-interest literacy centers! The students love having more choices to pick from during guided literacy time, and are taking great care of the materials. They are so proud to have new and exciting centers - they have a sense of ownership and responsibility over their new materials and are eager to teach others how to use them!
When we opened the boxes one by one, their eyes lit up! They were so excited to begin using the centers. We learned about one new center each day until all students had a chance to participate in the new games/activities - now they feel like experts! They were thrilled to learn that others, who didn't even know them personally, cared enough to help them out. They are so thankful!
With the help of these new centers, I have seen a huge improvement in their overall literacy skills. They are eager to learn new sight words, which has a direct and profound impact on their reading ability. So far, every student in my class has grown between 1-3 reading levels! What speaks more than data though, is their determination to grow and the responsibility they have shown while using the centers and taking ownership of their learning by using their center time wisely and effectively!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Yarrington
This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 8 other donors.Season's Readings!
Funded Oct 25, 2018The moment my students saw the wrapped gifts, they immediately guessed that books were inside! We all sat on the carpet, and as I called out each student's name, they came up to receive their very own book. The looks on their faces were priceless! They couldn't believe that people who didn't even know them, would want to give such special gifts. All the kids unwrapped their books at once, and immediately asked if I could read all of them as "read-alouds"! Then, we spent about 10-15 minutes reading our new books. We also discussed how we can create a special place in our homes to keep our books in one safe space.
For my class, reading is an integral part of our day. We read at least one book together as a class, and students use the library as an independent reading area daily. We are learning to retell stories, use pictures as clues, and make personal connections. Several of the books I chose for my kids help foster social-emotional learning and character development. Others were just familiar stories to them that I knew they loved.
These special gifts, combined with the holiday season, put a smile on every child's face. We are so grateful that the project was funded and my kids left for the holidays with books to call their own. This experience has both inspired and motivated them to become life-long readers, which is a trait they can carry with them far beyond the walls of our first grade classroom.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Yarrington
Dressed for Success at Quitman School!
Funded Aug 5, 2017My students were so excited to receive brand new uniforms and other clothing essentials. They couldn't believe that people who didn't even know them, cared that much! Now, each student in my classroom can feel proud in what they are wearing, and be "dressed for success!"
When I first brought out all the boxes, my students were eager to see what was inside. As I opened each box, I passed around the clothes so they could see each item. I heard excited students exclaiming, "Hey, that's my size!" and "These uniforms look just like ours...how did they know what we needed?!" After I explained more about how Donors Choose works, my students were eager to write thank you notes to each donor.
Overall, this experience was one they are sure to remember. Even though some may take school essentials for granted, I see clothing as an integral part of a successful school year at Quitman. My students can now arrive each day proud of who they are, and focus on becoming educated members of our Quitman Community.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Yarrington
This classroom project was brought to life by Life Essentials Supporters and 10 other donors.We're All Ears! Headphones Needed for Digital Station
Funded Sep 25, 2016Dear Donors,
Thank you so much for the wonderful headphones! There is nothing more exciting than seeing my students' eyes light up as we open up a package of new supplies. My students are proud to have headphones for our classroom, and take great care of them.
Since receiving our brand new headphones in the mail, my students' academic success has skyrocketed. In just 4 weeks, they have made significant progress toward their Lexia Core 5 goals. Lexia is an online program that provides personalized learning for all students in my classroom. When I am alerted of a skill deficit, I can pull that student in a small group to target the specific skill. This program is engaging because it teachers phonics and comprehension through a fun, game-like platform. Now that my students have headphones, they are able to focus and work more efficiently each day toward their goals.
I have also been fortunate enough to give my entire class their math assessments online, within our classroom. Now that I have a set of headphones for each child, I can also easily assign students a "reteach" lesson through our math curriculum. Through this process, I'm able to fill in some gaps in my students' learning.
Again, I want to say thank you. A simple piece of technology has made a significant impact, not only in the lives of my current students, but also my future students.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Yarrington
Classroom Supplies for Enthusiastic First Graders!
Funded Nov 2, 2015Thank you so much for your generous donations. When the boxes of supplies arrived in my room, my students were anxious to see what was inside. When I opened the boxes and showed them all the wonderful materials, they were so excited that people were willing to give them supplies to aid in their learning.
With these new materials, my students are able to complete classroom tasks such as morning work, literacy and math centers, and themed activities such as Polar Express writing pieces. We used the supplies to create a train-themed bulletin board, as well as writing non-fiction pieces about trains. The students really enjoyed these activities and they would not have been possible without your generous donations.
We will be having a family literacy day, where my students will use the supplies to make home made invitations to send home to parents. The parents will come into the classroom and get to participate and facilitate centers and be an active member in their child's learning process. They will be able to take home activities that will help their child improve phonemic and phonological awareness.
Having these supplies has taught my students responsibility and that other people want to invest in their education. You have truly made a difference in the lives of my students. My students and I would like to thank you for your support!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Yarrington