Past projects 6
Thinking Classrooms Call for Flexibility!
Funded Feb 12, 2025Flexible seating and learning has always been of huge importance to me. I know that various learning styles will always keep students on their toes and engaged!
Through the use of my whiteboards, students were effectively able to engage in thinking tasks and work collaboratively in small groups. It allowed me to be an active participant as a facilitator since I was able to provide timely feedback on tasks that were completed.
With the use of the rolling standing desks, students were able to do work in a way they felt comfortable. It especially helps students who have an issue staying awake in class. It being on wheels also helps students with visual impairments move closer to the board.
Through your support, I would not have been able to provide these opportunity for my students. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Nishitomi
This classroom project was brought to life by Panda Cares and 2 other donors.Creativity and Collaboration!
Funded Mar 11, 2025Thank you so much for choosing to support my project. This project will allow the future citizens of Hawai’i and America work together respectfully, as well as allow them the canvas to engage with maximum effort and a growth mindset. We can’t wait to put these words into action!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Nishitomi
This classroom project was brought to life by Hawaii State Dept. of Ed and Marc & Lynne Benioff.Prizes and Positivity: A Path to PBIS
Funded Feb 17, 2024I'm so incredibly humbled to have received a donation that wholly promotes social emotional learning and development. When students saw the delivery, it was like it was Christmas or a birthday! As they helped me to open the packages, seeing things beyond just academics got them excited. They eagerly helped me sort through the prizes and our treasure box area. Being able to provide such variety really helped to cater to the students' wants!
Although these prizes won't stay with my current class forever, they are gracious and understanding about supporting all my future students. It allows me to promote positive behavior in the classroom. While the world may not operate that way when they're adult citizens, students can use this as a guided pathway to wanting to make unprompted smart decisions. With that said, I cannot thank you enough!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Nishitomi
This classroom project was brought to life by Hawai'i State Department of Education.When Sustainable Living Meets Minimal Space: 21st Century Gardening Alternative
Funded Nov 18, 2023My students (both classroom and Aloha Living club) are truly grateful for your donation. My homeroom students took part in building the AeroGarden system 100% on their own! Both of my classes also monitor the water and food levels of our garden, and we are currently growing tomatoes!
Upon the arrival of the materials, the students felt like it was their birthdays again. I have some students with IEPs, and they, along with the rest of the class, really enjoyed building the system and watching the progress as the plants sprouted, flowered, and even fruited. We will continue to watch as the tomatoes ripen, and the goal is to make salsa or bruschetta toppings. With the dehydrator, we hope to dry herbs as our next step.
We truly appreciate the opportunity to work hands-on in the classroom, as well as teaching the students how to grow their own food.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Nishitomi
This classroom project was brought to life by Hawai'i State Department of Education.Flexible Seating for Flexible Students
Funded Oct 28, 2022My students are really appreciating the flexible seating arrangements in the classroom. One specific thing that they enjoy is using the seat cushions to sit or lay down on the floor (although this is a little unsanitary). We like to do small group circles while on the floor, especially during math.
When the students first saw the materials, they were excited. They all wanted to help me open everything, and they all wanted to use them right away! However, as time went on, students began to realize that they'd really only need to use wobble cushions if they're struggling to sit still and focus. As a result, many of them decided they no longer needed them - and that was okay to me!
I look forward to using these in the future. I may not have the right count of cushions/seats for each upcoming class, but at least they know that there is an option available to them if needed. I really appreciate your assistance in being able to fund this project for my class.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Nishitomi
This classroom project was brought to life by Hawai'i State Department of Education.Full STEAM Ahead to Hands-on Learning!
Funded May 4, 2021During these unprecedented times, many students, even in my classroom, were extremely excited to return to class. On the first day of school back in August, students stared to their right, in awe of the interesting contraption they saw while entering for the first time in over a year.
"What is that?" One girl questioned, as she looked inside through the glass hatch. Another more technologically advanced student responded by letting her know it's a 3D printer. That boy was in my summer school class in July. He kept insisting that if I'm his future teacher, that he'd want to sit right in the front row. Not only that, but he'd also like to learn more about the 3D printer. This excitement would not have ever been felt without your support and funding.
For many of my students, the most exposure to technology they have are their Chromebooks in class, phones, and tablets. Even at that, many of my students don't actually have access to those things regularly. With shutdowns due to Co-Vid, it became apparent that many of these students even lack the proper internet at home. Coming to school, experiencing fascinating new technology, and learning how to code shows them that learning can go beyond the textbooks. It also shows them how the textbook learning can apply to the "fun" learning like this.
We have been practicing our 3D creation skills on TinkerCAD. Although we have not yet printed any of our own designs yet, a few of the test designs have been printed. What has excited my students most is the process. "Good things take time." Knowing that a print takes an hour (or longer!) allows them to be self-directed with their independent tasks, as long as I give them short breaks to view a print's progress. It keeps them motivated in the classroom, because it's something enjoyable to work toward. In the remaining 3 quarters, my goal is to allow them to continue practicing on TinkerCAD, and finally print their own designs. This is what meaningful learning looks like.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Nishitomi
This classroom project was brought to life by SONIC Drive-In and 5 other donors.