Past projects 8
Community Circle Spots
Funded Aug 2, 2023I wanted to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for your generous support in providing foam mats for our classroom circle time. Your donations have made a significant impact on our students' learning experience, and I cannot thank you enough.
With the arrival of the mats, our students now have a designated space where they can gather for circle time. This has greatly enhanced their engagement and participation during group activities. It has also helped reinforce learning around personal space. The bright colors and soft texture of the mats have created a warm and welcoming atmosphere that encourages active learning.
I vividly remember the first day we introduced the foam mat spots to our students. Their eyes lit up with excitement as they eagerly rushed to claim their own spot. It was a moment of pure joy. The mats have been used frequently throughout the school day, in more ways than originally anticipated. Thank you for bringing this opportunity into our learning space.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Anderson
This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and one other donor.Native Prairie Pavers
Funded Mar 13, 2018When my students first saw the materials, they were filled with excitement and wonder. They were eager to get their hands dirty and start planting the native Wisconsin prairie plants we had started under grow lights in our classroom. Many of them were surprised to learn about the important role that monarch butterflies play in our ecosystem and were thrilled to be creating a safe habitat for them. Seeing their enthusiasm for this project was truly heartwarming and inspiring for me as their teacher.
We completed an environmental science project in collaboration with our district's Community Outreach & Nutrition Educator. It was based on planting and tending to native Wisconsin prairie plants. The hands-on project was aimed at enhancing our school's newly Certified Monarch Waystation, and it was a huge success.
As we moved forward with our year, we finalized and solidified our learning in the form of mosaic paver stepping stones. These stones are not only be a testament to the hard work and dedication of my students but will also serve as a guide for others to our Monarch Waystation and increase awareness and knowledge of their essential food sources and migration.
My current fourth-grade students have been enjoying the benefits of the additional monarchs that our new outdoor classroom garden has attracted. They have developed an exceptional sense of curiosity and wonder thanks to the abundant natural inspiration that surrounds them. Many students choose to spend time near the new monarch waystation during their recess time. Overall, this addition has allowed them to be more creative in their learning and helped them hold on to their sense of preciousness for our natural world.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Anderson
Magnificent Midwest Monarch Migration
Funded May 7, 2018Thank you for the opportunities that came along with rearing monarchs in our classroom this year. The lessons on impermanence, acceptance, and patience that pair so perfectly with the monarch life cycle could never be pre-created by worksheets or curriculum. The students took ownership and showed great responsibility by taking care of tiny monarch eggs, through each of their instars, through chrysalis stage, to full monarch butterfly.
The day the monarchs eclosed, all academics were halted. We sat in wonder in a circle around the creatures as they fell out of their chrysalis. It was a beautiful process. Thank you.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Anderson
This classroom project was brought to life by Orkin and 3 other donors.Flexible Seating for Flexible Learners
Funded Sep 7, 2018We were so excited when our supplies finally arrived to school! With anticipation at full capacity, my class couldn't wait to get their hands on their new furniture. They dove right in.
Building our classroom together was quite a learning experience, for both the teacher and the students. Each student had the opportunity to build their own chair or stool. This experience took teamwork, patience, sharing, and "following directions" to a whole new level.
Classmates worked together and offered helping hands to friends who they thought could use it. The entire "Build a Chair (spoof on Build a Bear) Workshop" day went smoothly, and the final product empowered these learners to feel an ownership over their classroom in a way I haven't seen before. They now advocate for keeping our room tidy, protect the supplies, and take care when handling furniture when moving it around the room.
The lightweight stools and appropriate chair ergonomics help these learners have good desk posture and stay comfortable throughout the school day. This, in turn, leads to a better learning environment for all involved.
What an incredible gift.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Anderson
Inspired to Dream Book Study
Funded Jan 25, 2018We are so excited to become published authors!
Peter Reynolds' inspiration has created a beautiful backdrop for our class book, The Whole Time. We noticed and discussed similarities spread across his own creations, and enjoyed imagining what our own book would look like in that process.
Publishing books provides a real-world experience for a classroom full of bright young students to get creative, learn about the writing process, build upon their reading and writing skills, and work collaboratively to create a book. Each decision for The Whole Time was arrived at by coming to consensus. Though the process is longer, it feels more authentic in the long run.
Thank you for the inspiration and opportunity!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Anderson
This classroom project was brought to life by The First Million Fund and 2 other donors.Life Long Learner, Leading by Example
Funded Mar 15, 2017I am so grateful for the opportunities that have arisen from engaging in these wonderful books. This summer, I dedicated almost all of my free time to reading and practicing the plethora of different strategies found within them. I also began developing a thematic-based unit incorporating math and Permaculture garden-based science, which my students this year are calling S'MATH (science+math). This book study has dramatically altered my teaching practice, catapulting me into an even deeper love and appreciate for sharing the science behind nature-based education with my students.
I was recently selected to be a presenter at the 2017 WI Green & Healthy School Conference in Oregon, WI. This is a state-wide event with dozens of educators gathering to share strategies and develop skill sets that will assist in creating a greener and healthier future, starting at our schools. The presentation that I will be giving to Wisconsin teachers will underscore many of the important, fundamental truths outlined in the books acquired through this Life Long Learner, Leading by Example donation.
One of the books I absolutely fell in love with is "Coyote's Guide to Connecting with Nature" by Jon Young. The essence of this guide invites educators to invoke something that challenges each of us to grow. Coyote challenges us to break free from old habits of awareness and to see with fresh eyes.
Jon Young states it simply. Coyote as our guide is: "...[b]rightly calling us to re-imagine how we learn natural history, helping to weave us more strongly into the web of connection between ourselves our fellow humans, and the creatures and elements around us. Motivating us to frolic timelessly in the wilderness-that the fire of curiosity may light every eye and that myth and play may merge with fact and science. Nudging us to take up the scent, the meandering but purposeful trail, to the source of our own self-guidance, to the fount of unique gifts that each person carries. And sharpening our eyes to see beyond the rim of the wild hill, beyond the skyline where the modern world fades against the setting sun sky, to the possibility of a long and healthy human existence on this earth, a conscious regeneration of land and culture for generations to come."
Thank you, again, for supporting this independent book study. I know I have just begun the journey down nature-based and garden-based education, and am already excited for the next chapter!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Anderson
Getting Comfortable With the Natural World
Funded Feb 22, 2017Thank you for our book and lamp donation! The students absolutely enjoyed learning about the natural world during Wisconsin's very snowy and chilly winter. These books opened up a world of collaboration through partner-reading opportunities. Some students found similarities & shared interests with peers they had not known before. This created room for growth and the opportunities for new friendships to develop. Reading in our classroom is a flurry of excitement when our new books are out. Students are always excited to share with each other and whole-class the new and interesting information they are learning by reading these books. Thank you, again.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Anderson
Understanding Nature to Understand Ourselves
Funded Sep 14, 2016We are extremely grateful for the microscopes and tablets that were provided to our classroom. We have used them so often, it's hard to imagine our classroom without them. We have examined everything from live squash bugs caught in the grass, to a child's tooth that had just fallen out! It's not uncommon to hear "Ms. Anderson, can we look at this under a microscope?" at least once a day in our classroom.
Students are excited to be able to get up close and personal with everyday objects around them. Their curiosity flourishes when they are able to use the microscopes right at the exact moment when they want to! One of the most exciting things that we have looked at was a student's iris, the colored part of her eye. We discovered that she actually has two different colored eyes! The microscopes let us discover hidden treasures that are all around us every day.
There are a group of about 6 kids that are extremely interested in the new microscopes. They have brought in artifacts from home or from walks at recess to examine under the scopes. They know that their teacher is excited about them, too, and never hesitate to ask to use them when the opportunity arises. Theses students may not always score well on their math tests, but they WILL always score well with their curiosity.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Anderson
This classroom project was brought to life by Herb Kohl Philanthropies and 10 other donors.