Past projects 7
ALL Learners Should Connect With Literature
Funded Aug 13, 2020Wow, our students are surrounded by a loving and supportive community. We prefunded most of the project, which was essentially funded in 24 hours! Thank you for your donations to help continue the implementation of quality literacy education in our classrooms. Teaching a combination class of fourth and fifth graders creates new obstacles that has challenged us to rethink literacy education. As we start in a distance learning model due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, our students will appreciate having a tangible paperback book in their hand so we can balance screen time. The students will be able to answer reading comprehensions questions using the text to justify their answers. Fish in a Tree reflects on Albert Einstein's quotation: “Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” We are so excited use this book to teach growth mindset, encourage students to embrace learning differences, and to cultivate an empathetic learning environment for all learners. So, THANK YOU! Thank you for helping instill a love reading and writing in our students. Thank you funding a project that will start our year off on the right foot. We are" Vikings STRONG no matter the distance"!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Nakashima
California Readin' & American Dreamin'
Funded Mar 5, 2020Thank you for your donations to help continue the implementation of quality literacy education in my classroom. Teaching a combination class of fourth and fifth graders created new obstacles that challenged me to rethink literacy education. Just as this project was funded our school closed due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. However, as the materials arrived I was able to deliver these books so they could continue reading and to support my students in their state report writing. Students were appreciative that they had tangible paper books to continue their learning. These books helped students have a reliable research source for their state reports. They used it to fact check internet sources. Also, while doing read alouds, students had books in their hands instead of needing to follow along with the screen reader through Zoom. As students were answering reading comprehensions questions students found it helpful to have the book to find text evidence to justify their answers. Many students got sucked into the story that they read ahead and fell in love with the story! So, THANK YOU! Thank you for allowing my students to love reading and writing. Thank you funding a project that was received just in time.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Nakashima
This classroom project was brought to life by A group of anonymous donors and 7 other donors.California Readin'
Funded Nov 2, 2017Thank you for providing new core literature books for our classroom. We just finished reading Patty Reed's Doll and can't wait to start reading Island of the Blue Dolphins and By The Great Horn Spoon. Integrating curriculum across all subjects is key to the success of elementary curriculum. The students have made some many key connections between reading these books to their fourth grade social studies curriculum. We really couldn't have done it without these cornerstone books!
Read alouds are easier to do when all children have a book that is usable. This is the first year that I haven't need to repair a book mid-read-aloud. I think what adds to the excitement is all the students feel like they are valued because they have materials that are look fresh, and not worn out. I teach a general education class with English Learners, students with autism, and students with other health impairments. These books have been a way for all of them to connect to each other while working as a group, in partners, and/or independently. Thank you for providing a rich curriculum for them!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Nakashima
Magic Carpet Ride... A Whole New World!
Funded Sep 23, 2017Thank you all for your generous donation to our classroom. My students were very excited to see our new carpet! Even parents and other teachers are jealous with envy; they will often ask where I received my rug from. I always proudly respond, "From Donor's Choose through Amazon!"
You have helped provide a comfortable learning and work space. We use our carpet for workshop lessons and to provide flexible seating for students. We loved using it during Global School Play Day to play Twister and other games. For every day uses, the students sit here to work in partners. They love laying on the fluffy surface (they even hide their pencils in it! It's that fluffy!) Thank you for contributing a key piece to our classroom. We couldn't have done it without your generous donations!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Nakashima
Heads in the Cloud: Chromebooks in our Classroom
Funded Aug 22, 2015Thank you providing the resources my students needed to show their full potential. Technology has given a voice to all of the students in our classroom including the shyest and quietest ones. We now have the opportunity to collaborate online and be more innovative. With the donated Chromebooks, my students to are able to connect, collaborate, communicate, think critically, create, share, and learn.
Eliminating our old computers and computer stations has provided us with more of an open space in the classroom. The students now use the Chromebooks at their desks to access online programs. They seem to enjoy being able to use them at their seats. Personally for me, it's fantastic that the students are able to do independent work on the Chromebooks while I am pulling students to work in small groups. Everything has been operating smoothly which is always an awesome plus!
To date, the students have used various programs online to assess their knowledge, to practice their typing skills, to practice learned concepts, and to produce work. The students are very enthusiastic about typing up different projects which improves their keyboarding skills and their computer knowledge. We are mainly using Google Apps for Education, however will be using the Chromebooks for research too. The students are full of ideas and knowledge surrounding how we can improve and incorporate technology in the classroom as well as in the 21st century.
Again, I am very appreciative of the generosity that you have shown. I know my students are too. You have made an impact in our classroom and in their educational journey that will not be forgotten.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Nakashima
Back To The Future - Bringing Technology Into Our Classroom
Funded Jan 13, 2014Thank you providing an opportunity for my students to access the entire world! The computers have helped the students complete their state reports, access online educational games, and will help connect them to other students in other countries.
Our students have been using many various programs on the laptops including Lexia, World Book Online, and Microsoft Word. The students are very enthusiastic about typing up different projects which improves their keyboarding skills and their computer knowledge. Most recently the students have used the computers to compiles a four chapter state report. They used the computers to research, type out papers, and copy drawings for their reports.
Personally for me, the computers have been a great help because we are not struggling to get more information on facts. Also, the students are able to do independent work while I am pulling students to work in small groups. The computers have been operating smoothly which is always an awesome plus!
Again, I am very appreciative of the generosity that you have shown. I know the students are too. You have been an impact in our classroom and to their education that will not be forgotten.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Nakashima
This classroom project was brought to life by Disney and 4 other donors.As Beyonce said, "Listen!"
Funded Mar 15, 2014Thank you so much for improving my students' education. I truly appreciate that I can fund a project so quickly with the help of my friends and family! Currently, we just started Spring break so I am so excited to go back and give them this surprise on the first day back! With funding provided so quickly, I know that you all "listen"ed when I put out my request, and I give you a GOLD STAR for attentive listening, being selfless, and making a difference!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Nakashima
This classroom project was brought to life by 100 Women in Hedge Funds and 10 other donors.