Past projects 29
Read and Play to Learn About Diverse Abilities and Families
Funded Jun 20, 2019Since receiving the materials that you so generously donated, students have been exposed to a library filled with books that reflect their abilities and families. It has been an incredibly satisfying project that brings such positive and understanding environment for all. Students are motivated to enter the library and then their attention is captured by books that they can relate to their own lives. Many students look at the picture books for an extended period of time. Other students are able to sit and listen to an adult reading a book for an extended period of time. Students who previously had no interest in the classroom library are now excited to explore and look at pictures that look like them. My heart is so full and happy seeing my students being able to manipulate figures who also reflect their physical traits and family dynamics. Students are making connections and beginning to express themselves more. They are motivated by a figure that reminds them of a family member or a book that has pictures of people that are the same color complexion as they are. Thank for making all these special moments possible by supporting my project.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Hurtado
This classroom project was brought to life by Google.org and one other donor.Bean Bag Corner
Funded Apr 16, 2019It has been such an amazing journey seeing my students and their response to the bean bag seats. They have been working extremely hard to use them appropriately and also maintaining their time reading books. They are so motivated to explore our little corner library. I have been able to observe the number of students increase in our library. Also, the amount of time that they are able to sustain their reading has increased. I am so grateful for your contributions and support. My students are reading comfortably every school day because of you generosity. Thank you for helping our little library become more inviting and comfortable.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Hurtado
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose.org Community and 3 other donors.Early Business Owners
Funded Nov 28, 2018It has been an amazing journey introducing and having students independently use materials donated by you all. It has been such a great experience seeing peer interaction and language development using the kitchen and setting up a restaurant dramatic play area. I have been adapting and accommodating student needs as I see them interact with materials. My students are always motivated to participate during structured and unstructured time in our kitchen/restaurant areas. Students are also learning to be responsible and take care of their materials. Organization has been key in helping my students access materials and appropriately interact with peers using them. Financial literacy has been easy to implement because students are excited and motivated by the restaurant dramatic play set up that focuses on money recognition and identifying the value of coins and bills. Students are actively participating in money exchanges and role playing. Thank you so much for giving my students the opportunity to practice an important role in our society. Their excitement and progress are evidence of the importance and impact your donations make!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Hurtado
Keeping Our Room Clean
Funded Aug 28, 2018As I walk into my classroom everyday, I remember who provided us with the products to continue keeping our classroom clean. My students walk into their classroom with a huge smile and they are ready to learn. The classroom is clean and smells fresh, ready for the students to explore under every rug and inside any drawer. They are able to roll around the floor and slide along with their toy cars because we are able to clean with all the products you provided us. My students do not have to worry about getting their clothes dirty or trash on floor because with the amazing products you provided us, we are able to provide a clean space. Students have also taken leadership and began learning new jobs and learned to use the broom and dust pan. They have also began to learn using the vacuum and are less fearful of the sound everyday. Students are excited and motivated to take part in keeping their classroom clean. Students are able to attend school more regularly because with a clean environment they are getting sick less. It is an amazing feeling to have products and materials at hand to help keep our classroom clean. Thank you for allowing me to execute my project of keeping our room clean.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Hurtado
This classroom project was brought to life by The Clorox Company and 5 other donors.Building a Future
Funded Sep 3, 2018Thank you for taking the time and interest in my project. I appreciate your careful consideration for donating to a project for my amazing students. Thanks to your generosity I was able to execute my goal for this project to guide my students through a variety of learning experiences in areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics. My students were extremely excited to be able to use hands on materials to learn and explore. I remember the first day I introduced the materials you donated to our classroom, seeing their bright eyes and huge smiles just warms my heart. They explored and learned through play with such engagement and they were taking initiative towards their learning. They used the soft building blocks to build forts and castles. Their language just expanded and their shared playing skills developed faster. We used the STEM Learning Kits during our rotations and students were so willing to participate and share. Students even behaved better because they were so excited to learn with all the new materials available. My students were able to choose from a variety of seats like the balance ball and wobble chair. They were able to sit for a longer period of time and participate in small group activities. Since receiving materials thanks to your generous donations my students have grown and become more independent in their learning. Their behavior has improved and they expressive their desire to use particular materials. I can't thank you enough for the difference you have made in my classroom.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Hurtado
This classroom project was brought to life by Craig Newmark Philanthropies and 8 other donors."Color Makes Me Happy, Teacher!"
Funded Mar 27, 2018Thank you so much for your generous contributions! Thanks to your donations, I am able to provide my students with bright colored adapted books and worksheets. I am also able to print independent tasks activities for my students and visual support for communication. The HP printer allows me to provide books and worksheets that grasp student attention with colors. The HP printer has been an important part of my daily instruction.
The colorful kids table and chairs have been a popular spot for my students to gather. The colorful table and chairs are a place of socializing, playing, and learning. Students love getting together to create by coloring or building. There are times when learning only takes place at this table because it motivates students to learn and participate. This colorful table and chairs has made such a huge impact in our classroom.
Once again, thank you. We appreciate the resources you have provided us and we are fully taking advantage of them! Seeing my students smile every time I present them with colorful activities at the colorful kids table is an amazing feeling. You are definitely making a difference in our classroom!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Hurtado
This classroom project was brought to life by Ripple and one other donor.Empowering Students Through Art-Cultures Around the World
Funded Dec 8, 2015It has been an incredible experience to have the resources necessary for my students to access traditions, art, and the history of countries around the world. The books that you donors provided have been useful in introducing countries around the world like Brazil, Mexico, Egypt, Italy and Japan. My students were able to use the art materials provided by your generous donations to get an insight of the art practiced around the world. We also used the art materials to make connections about popular food around the world. The CD of music around the world opened up a new pathway for my students to learn about the art around the world. The carpet has not only been a great visual of the world but it has brighten up our classroom.
When my students first entered the classroom and saw the new carpet we received they were ecstatic. It took them a few minutes to calm down from all the excitement. They were so happy to sit on the carpet. They began asking questions and sharing information about what they already knew about maps. They began trying to jump from one ocean to the other. It was such a great feeling seeing their response to something as basic and necessary as a carpet for circle time.
I want to continue to open up my students minds by exploring different countries around the world using art to make connections. My students are so eager to learn and create amazing pieces of art. I am extremely grateful for the donations that you provided and I will continue to implement lessons that are rich in art around the world.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Hurtado
This classroom project was brought to life by Google.org and 5 other donors.Teacher Technology Learning for Student Success
Funded Mar 18, 2015Having my own personal iPad as a tool for my professional development has been eye-opening. The iPad as a tool offers a variety of uses everywhere I go. I have been able to create presentations on my iPad using the keynote app and use it to demonstrate the benefits with the help of the projector. The iPad makes it easy to access on-line trainings and important documents. I have also been able to create videos using the iMovie app on the iPad in minutes to show my colleagues the importance of video modeling. My iPad has been an extremely useful tool that has supported me in further developing my skills in teaching.
I appreciate your generosity with supplying me with the iPad Air to support my development. Thank you for your consideration in supporting teachers and education. I am truly grateful for amazing people like you!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Hurtado
This classroom project was brought to life by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 3 other donors.Learning By Role Playing
Funded Jan 1, 2015It has been an exciting and eye opening experience watching my students flourish using dramatic play costumes that were so generously donated by you. The first time I showed my students the costumes they could not wait to put them on. Their little faces were so bright with joy and excitement. Each student has their favorite costume and they love playing pretend with their peers. All of my students have become more social, the costumes are a great way for them to initiate play with their peers. They are so happy to be able to come to class and explore different roles from day to day.
I have used the resources that you provided as a way to create social interactions with peers during play time. I have also used them during our thematic unit "Community Helpers" and have become a great way for them to learn using different approaches to building vocabulary. I have also used the costumes to assess what students have learned. For example after reviewing jobs and tools community workers, I have a student wear the costume and share what they have learned. Further developing their communication skills, social skills, vocabulary skills and comprehension. I include the costumes as much as possible throughout our day to make sure that students are able to have fun while playing.
Having these tools in my class it has been much easier for students to become familiar with community helpers and their jobs in society. It is also easier to capture and maintain their attention because it is so fun to dress-up. I observed that using this dramatic play costumes have been an amazing tool to develop their imagination. My students success could not have been possible without your support and generosity. I am extremely thankful that you supported my project and that my students have truly benefited and grown from this experience. Thank you so much!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Hurtado
Learning And Developing Self-Worth Through Art Part-2
Funded Oct 13, 2014It has been an amazing experience to bring the ipad into the classroom and observe my students flourish. They were extremely excited when they saw the new technology that would be available for them to use in the classroom daily. The ipad benefited my students in a variety of ways. The biggest change I observed was motivation in my students. They work hard for time on the ipad and are focused when using the ipad in small groups. My students eyes brighten up when the ipad is at the kidney table and its a wonderful feeling to know they are excited to learn.
My students are always looking forward to time working in small groups with the ipad or time with a partner using art applications. The art applications have been extremely useful in teaching students to identify colors, shapes, numbers, letters, sorting, and patterns. The music applications has been successful in supporting my students in calming down. The ipad has also been helpful in the classroom by providing students an opportunity to work independently.
Overall I am grateful for your support. Your donations have made my classroom a more functional and educational setting for my students. My students are able to focus for longer periods of time and are eager to learn because of your support in providing useful tools in the classroom. Thank you for providing a versatile tool to meet the variety of needs my students possess.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Hurtado
This classroom project was brought to life by an anonymous donor and 5 other donors.