Past projects 4
Bird's Eye View
Funded Aug 30, 2021This project has been a dream come true! I originally wrote it to impact our 3rd Graders and turn them into budding Birders, but I have seen fascination bloom in all grades. Even our teachers have enjoyed hearing and seeing the bird activity near and around the school. The birding journals have been such a hit with the students. They've learned the parts of a bird and have learned to identify birds using their new knowledge.
When the project first began we were at the top of the Migration season as most of our Summer Songbirds traveled south. We participated in Lights Out Georgia to help our birds travel safely overnight as they migrated to and through the city and headed southward. We also received our binoculars and will be using those and our birding journals as many of our feathered friends begin returning home this Spring.
Lastly, because of your generosity and the children's curiosity we have deepened our partnership with the Georgia Audubon and have installed a Native Garden on the school property that will provided years of observational data and chances to see the symbiotic relationship between host plants, insects, fruits and flowers, and our feathered neighbors.
I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support on this project and look forward to our continued partnership as I continue thinking of ways to engage our learners at McLendon Elementary!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Donnell
Teach me, too!
Funded Feb 12, 2018Thank you so much for gifting me with the opportunity to learn at the National Science Teacher's Association Conference here in Atlanta. This was my first conference and it was timed perfectly with this being my first year teaching K-5 Science and the conference being local.
The first day I was able to tour Beecher Hills Elementary School in Southwest Atlanta. This school is an I.B. school that has a strong science and engineering program. I was also able to tour the Tuskegee Airman Global Academy which has an AMAZING partnership with Morehouse and The Tuskegee Airman! What an amazing school!
On day 2, I took 7 classes at the World Congress Center and The Omni Hotel. I learned about Pangaea; Claim, Evidence, Reasoning; Data Collection using Vernier Products; Toured the Exhibit Hall; Shopped at the NSTA Store; and met teachers from all over the USA and around the world!
By day 3, I was both overjoyed at the rich experience and saddened to know that it was coming to an end. Day 3 was the Elementary Extravaganza where their were tables featuring Science Lessons from "Science & Children" magazine; Scientific Award Winners; Pre-School presenters; classes on use the children's book, Sheep in a Jeep, to teach about Force & Motion; and Engineering technologies! I also went back to the Exhibit Hall and listened to presentations from STEMscopes, HMH, Legends of Learning, Vernier, Carolina Biological, and many many more!
I am SO thankful to you for paying my way and allowing me to learn so much more about Science! My goal is to strengthen McLendon's Science program, not only for myself but for our teachers and their students! Thank you for making this dream a reality! You are an amazing person with an amazing heart!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Donnell
Lab Academy
Funded Oct 24, 2017My scientists are extremely excited to be able to replicate a previous experiment we conducted regarding Microbes living in our school and around our homes. With the use of the agar we will develop and place in the petri dishes we will be able to evaluate what surfaces have and hold the most microbes. Then the children will conduct an ongoing service project to help us reduce how many microbes we come in contact with. We just recently received about 300 Chromebooks in our building and because they are shared amongst the classrooms we found that they carry the most microbes of anything tested, so we have started an effort to educate the children and adults about our findings and hopefully keep the devices cleaner therefore reducing the spread of sickness too! Thank you so much for your contribution to my project so the children can benefit! I really appreciate you!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Donnell
Technology Tie-in for Literacy
Funded Nov 1, 2013Thank you so much for your generous donation and contribution to the instructional pursuits in my classroom. The students and their families were extremely excited about the infusion of technology in our classroom because of your contributions!
The children have been able to use the iPads in a variety of ways! We have been able to support ALL content areas with the use of this technology. The students can support the fundamental concepts they need in Reading and Writing by using the numerous apps I have purchased to support phonemic awareness, reading, grammar, writing, and word building. In Mathematics they have been able to practice vital concepts such as measurement, time, addition, subtraction, fractions, sorting, comparing, tallying, and creating graphs! In Science they have been able to explore the world around them using the camera to capture images we can use in the classroom to create student-made books about the world around them! Lastly in Social Studies, we have had the best and most exciting use of technology because of our ability to use Face-time or Skype to contact one our parent's that works closely with the government in Indonesia. The children have been able to discuss the time difference, learn some of the Indonesian pigeon language, and ask relevant and supportive questions to increase their global understanding of the world they live in.
Since our school is a Title 1 school, meaning we serve many children with socio-economic disadvantages, this type of daily technological exposure and their new-found ability to connect with world around them and increase their global awareness helps to meet the mission and vision of our school! With out your help this would not have been possible. Please accept our heartfelt thanks for your support of the work being done in our classroom! We hope to work with you again soon!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Donnell