Past projects 30
Self Portraits That Celebrate Our Diversity
Funded Jun 5, 2019Thank you again for your generous gift to my classroom. We are now a few weeks into our new year and everything is starting to fall in place. The students are getting to know each other, they are learning our class routines, and they are starting to see themselves as part of this new community of learners.
To start the year, I usually begin with self portraits and discuss how we are all both alike and different in so many ways. The books that I received with my project are absolutely incredible! They describe the beauty of diversity in both pictures and words. My students are predominately Latino. However, this year I have a student who is mixed African-American and White. Her response to these books has been so amazing. Her face lights up and her hand shoots up into the air and she says, "That's like me!" and I am just so grateful to have provided an opportunity for her to see herself in our books. My father is Mexican and my mother is White. Growing up I never had books that showed and celebrated my identity. Thank you so much for providing me with these resources that help me do this for all of my wonderful little ones.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Martinez
This classroom project was brought to life by Google.org and 9 other donors.Creating New Masterpieces
Funded Oct 4, 2018This has been an amazing school year so far! I was out of the classroom for nine years as an Instructional Coach. As much as I loved working with teachers and students to improve the education of our students, I really missed having my own classroom and group of little ones. The decision to come back to the classroom was made easier by securing a position at a brand new Visual Arts Magnet. I love incorporating art into education and see so many ways that it enriches all of our lives.
Starting this new magnet program, I knew that I would need a lot of support from donors like you to improve the art experiences my students had during the year. The portfolios you purchased for us are so fantastic! Each student gets their own and is able to collect all of the work that they create throughout the year. At the end of the year we will select their best work and the portfolio will follow them to 2nd grade. The 2nd grade teacher expressed her thanks to all of you as well! She loves knowing that next year's artists will already have started reflecting and collecting their work.
We are saving the canvases for a couple of special projects later in the year but have been building up our skills in drawing and watercolors. We have also been learning about sculpture recently. Take a look at some of their final projects from this unit in the pictures I shared.
Once again, thank you so much for helping to provide wonderful opportunities for my students. They are truly an amazing group of students - so full of love and kindness and passion and vision! I believe that they are going to have such a positive impact on our world and our future and I thank you for your part in this!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Martinez
Special Spots For Readers and Writers
Funded Oct 7, 2013A much belated Thank You for the wonderful additions to our classroom library! The students' faces when I brought the pillows and beanbags out was priceless! The library is now a comfortable place for our students to relax with a good book. It is so wonderful to look over and see them lost in a book while sitting on the colorful pillows and beanbags. It has also been a great place for students to cool off when they are upset or settle a disagreement with a friend. It is my personal belief that a classroom should be a place where students feel safe and happy. Classroom environment is the key to this. Thank you for making this happen. We are all very grateful!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Martinez
Playing with Words
Funded Nov 11, 2010I just wanted to take a minute to thank you for your generous gift to my students. The moment I found out that my proposal had been funded I couldn't wait to receive the materials. I immediately told my students, who then matched my own excitement. However, nothing could top the looks on their faces when the boxes of scripts arrived. The "Ohhs" and "Ahhhs" kept going with each box of scripts that I unpacked.
We have been using the scripts ever since we received them. Reader's Theater is such a fantastic way to get my struggling readers more excited about reading. They don't even realize that they are practicing fluency because they are so immersed in their roles. Unlike other texts, when I ask the students to reread their part, they don't complain. They understand that practice makes perfect.
I have also been able to share these resources with my fellow teachers. I made list of all of the different scripts I received and gave it to all of the teachers. Now they too can use these fabulous resources in their own classrooms to reinforce genre studies, fluency, and speaking skills.
These scripts have been an amazing gift. They are a great resource now and for years to come. Thank you so much for supporting public education. The children and I appreciate it more than words can say.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Martinez
Make Every Minute Count!
Funded Jun 5, 2009I just wanted to take the time to thank you for funding my project. My students were thrilled to get the Wrap Around Games. Once I taught them how to play, they were hooked. We play the games when we have a few extra minutes or as a reward for doing a great job during the day. The games are great because they reinforce skills that we have been working on in class like rhyming words and numbers. The games also teach the students to focus and work as a team.
These games have made a tremendous difference in my classroom. My students actually clap and cheer when I say we are going to play! Thank you for your generosity. I appreciate and admire your commitment to public education.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Martinez
It All Adds Up
Funded Oct 26, 2009I just wanted to take a minute to thank you for all of the fantastic math games. When I opened the box, the students couldn't stop squealing. They were so excited about all of the fun activities. They were even more thrilled when I taught them how to play the games and let them enjoy them with their friends.
These resources have made an incredible difference in our Fiesta Fridays. There are enough games that the students don't even have to fight over them! I have also been able to use the games in my math intervention groups. The students have so much fun with them that they don't even realize they are working on important math skills.
My students and I truly appreciate your generosity. Thank you for supporting public education!
”
With gratitude,
Ms. Martinez
Writing with Ease
Funded Sep 18, 2009Thank you so much for the fantastic easel! I use it every day and my students do too. I use the easel for everything from holding up my big books during reading to modeling the writing process during Writer's Workshop. The easel also has a great space for storing larger items. The students like to use magnetic letters and write letters to each other on the easel.
Your generosity is greatly appreciated. Thank you for supporting my classroom and my students. Most importantly, thank you for your commitment to public education!
”
With gratitude,
Ms. Martinez
Make A Pattern
Funded Jun 28, 2009Thank you so much for the math resources that you provided for my classroom. Math is a very difficult subject to teach. Many students struggle to learn new concepts easily. That is why it is so important to have manipulatives to help teach my lessons.
The pattern activities are amazing! The students were very excited to use them and still ask to use them during their free time. I have also used them in small groups to help struggling students. I even let another teacher borrow them when she told me that she was teaching patterns in her room. Your generosity has touched my heart and the hearts of many students at our school. Thank you for supporting public education. ”
With gratitude,
Ms. Martinez
Write On This!
Funded Dec 16, 2008I just wanted to thank you for your generous gift to my students. I can't wait to use the materials. They will really come in handy during several different parts of our day. I know that the kids are going to love using the white boards. It will be such a special treat for them! Thanks so much for thinking of us and donating to our project. Have a wonderful day”
With gratitude,
Ms. Martinez
What's That Word Again?
Funded Feb 13, 2009I just wanted to take a minute to thank you for your generous contribution to my classroom. My students were so excited to hear that we would be getting new sight word games. They could hardly contain themselves when the box arrived! We use the sight word activities every day and I can really see a difference in their reading. I also see a big improvement in their enthusiasm about practicing sight words. The resources you donated are so fun that they forget they are learning!
I hope you know how much your generosity means to me and my students alike. In these difficult economic times, I appreciate your dedication to public education and students from struggling communities. Please enjoy the letters my students wrote to you and know that you have helped in a big way.
”
With gratitude,
Ms. Martinez