Ms. Gionti's Classroom Edit display name

Past projects 363

• Understanding the Afghanistan Crisis Through Literature: Books Needed

  Funded Aug 27, 2021

  Thank you all so much for funding this project and enabling me to bring such a culturally relevant text into my AP English class this year. I have to say, it seems to be my students' favorite novel we've read this far — even beating Gatsby, which is usually their favorite. The discussions and connections students have made have astonished me. Many students who took AP World History last year have also enjoyed making connections to what they've learned and sharing with that rest of the class.

  Thank you again for your continued support!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Gionti

  This classroom project was brought to life by Emerson Collective and 4 other donors.

• Counting Descent: Poetry Books Needed

  Funded Oct 21, 2021

  Thank you so much for funding this amazing collection of poetry for my students!

  We began our unit by watching Clint Smith's TedTalk on the Danger of Silence (https://www.ted.com/talks/clint_smith_the_danger_of_silence?referrer=playlist-10_great_talks_to_celebrate_bl). Using this as a way into his poems, students discussed the importance of using your voice. Smith's first poem in his collection, Something You Should Know (https://aprweb.org/poems/something-you-should-know) led to an incredibly thought-provoking discussion about being vulnerable and our fear of sharing who we really are. Students connected to the hermit crab in the poem and the idea of needing something/someone beyond themselves.

  We've read several more poems and after each one, students express how much they really enjoy Smith's poetry. Being able to share his poetry enables me to show them how poetry can be used in moments of fear, uncertainty, stress, sadness, or joy -- that "poetry will see us through" (https://medium.com/poem-of-the-day/julia-alvarez-how-will-this-pandemic-affect-poetry-db89e11ced5f).

  Thank you again for your continued support! Best wishes for a happy and healthy new year!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Gionti

  This classroom project was brought to life by Dollar General Literacy Foundation and one other donor.

• Help Us Keep Warm: Sweatshirts Needed

  Funded Dec 17, 2021

  Thank you so much for funding this project and helping my students keep warm this winter.

  Thanks to Amazon's fast shipping, the sweatshirts arrived two days after the project was funded, so students were able to receive them before our break. Students spent some time during lunch this week after school decorating their sweatshirts using the heat transfer vinyl that was also funded. In decorating their sweatshirts, it took away some of the stigma of not having warm clothing.

  Thank you again for your support and for funding this important project! Happy holidays!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Gionti

  This classroom project was brought to life by Panda Cares and 5 other donors.

• Binding It Together: Binding Machine Needed

  Funded Nov 30, 2021

  Thank you so much for funding the project, and bringing a binding machine into my classroom!

  The machine has already been used to create personal workbooks for my juniors who are starting to read Shakespeare's Macbeth. Two of my students, Malak and Stephanie, figured out how to set the machine to create perfect coil binding, and had a blast during a free period putting together all of the workbooks.

  When my students were given the workbooks, their first comments were how important it seemed and how much they loved having all their handouts in one place. While I'm usually not a fan of traditional workbooks, these have really helped students keep track of the play's events, characters, and themes.

  Thank you again for your continued support! We appreciate you!

  Happy Holidays!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Gionti

  This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and one other donor.

• Double, Double, Toil, and Trouble: Macbeth Books Needed

  Funded Sep 30, 2021

  Thank you so much for funding this project and enabling me to bring Shakespeare to my students!

  We've begun reading the play through Act One, and my students are hooked. After every scene, each class has tracked how likely they think it is that Macbeth will actually kill King Duncan to become king himself. Today's class ended in a debate that had students digging in their books looking for evidence to show that they don't really think Macbeth will commit regicide. By having their own copy of the play, students have taken ownership of their learning. They love being able to annotate key passages and vocabulary.

  Thank you again for your continued support! After almost two years of remote school, students love having real books again. Your donation is greatly appreciated.

  Happy Holidays!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Gionti

  This classroom project was brought to life by Smarties Candy Company and 6 other donors.

• Snacks Needed for Hungry Students

  Funded Nov 11, 2021

  Thank you so much for funding this project and bringing snacks to my hungry students!

  This morning, students were having a case of the Mondays and were both tired and hungry. Thanks to your donation, I was able to give my students a snack, which perked them right up so they were able to get back lesson (a fascinating look at The Great Gatsby through a critical race lens -- an especially topical issue).

  I am beyond thankful for all that you have done for my students, my colleagues, and my school. This Thanksgiving, I am extra thankful for your support!

  I look forward to meeting you both when you visit our school next month!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Gionti

• AP English Test Prep Resources Needed

  Funded Aug 12, 2021

  Thank you so very much for funding this important project and enabling me to help my kids prepare for the AP English Lit exam this May! The AP English Literature exam is notoriously difficult, and students struggle with structuring their essays, multiple-choice, and learning the new rubric. With this book, we've been able to review key sections in chunks to make things manageable without creating test-prep overkill.

  My students are so appreciative of the books, and love being able to have them as a guide. Last week in class, students took their first full-length practice test and loved being able to have the answers explained to them after they finished.

  Thank you again for your continued support! It really does make a difference!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Gionti

  This classroom project was brought to life by Emerson Collective and 2 other donors.

• Don't Table This Request! We Need New Desks

  Funded Aug 10, 2021

  There are not enough words to describe how thankful I am for this donation. For years, my classroom has had dirty, broken desks that did not fit high school students. Now, thanks to your donation, students have a clean, adult-sized workspace that enables them to feel like scholars.

  Aside from the desks themselves changing the atmosphere of our classroom, they also created a unique learning opportunity as students worked together to build them. I asked for volunteers to help put together the desks and was surprised at how many students jumped at the opportunity. Watching students learn how to build a piece of furniture that they would then use was such an amazing experience. It also helped create more pride in our classroom space and the materials provided.

  Thank you again for everything you have done to help our classroom, our students, and our school. We are very appreciative and extra thankful for you!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Gionti

  This classroom project was brought to life by Emerson Collective and one other donor.

• Feed Our Minds: Snacks and Water Needed for Hungry Students

  Funded Oct 14, 2021

  Thank you so much for funding this project! I cannot begin to tell you how helpful it's been to have snacks and water bottles available for students. Today, in my AP English class, a student was having difficulty focusing. When I asked her to the side if she was okay, she said she couldn't focus because she was starving. Thanks to your donation, I was able to give the student a few granola bars to keep her going. It really made all the difference and I am so grateful.

  Thank you again for your continued support! We love and appreciate you both so much!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Gionti

  This classroom project was brought to life by #TeachHealthy with Nature Made and one other donor.

• We Can't Mask Our Excitement for School: Disposable Masks Needed

  Funded Oct 7, 2021

  I cannot even begin to thank you enough for your donation of disposable masks. Every day it has been a struggle to get students to wear their masks properly, or their mask gets dirty, or breaks. Thanks to your donation, I have been able to create a mask container (as shown in pictures) at the front of my classroom for students to take a mask when needed. Having easy access to masks has made the struggle of policing them a little bit easier.

  The masks you donated have also encouraged students to want to wear the mask, as they enjoy the fun prints and colors. Since we're not able to see students' smiles, looking at fun colors and patterns makes things a little better.

  Thank you again for your continued support! It really does make a difference!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Gionti