Past projects 3
Whodunnit? Howknowit?
Funded Feb 3, 2023As a result of your generosity, my students have become more engaged in the classroom. We began our True Crime unit of study with the "games." I decided to use this method as a way to have all of my students participate in class as well as to spark their interest. This is something new that I have wanted to include in my lessons to generate interest and engagement in class.
When I brought the materials out, students were super excited to dive right in and solve the case. Students arranged themselves into groups of four or five, and then they chose which case to solve. They had three options. Students really enjoyed the idea of working together to solve the crime. Some groups built crime boards to help organize their information while others took detailed notes like a real detective.
We spent two days solving the cases, and afterward, we had an open discussion in class on the process that each group took to solve the case and what they learned by playing the games. Then we moved on to the next phase of the unit of study. The seniors began working on the Amanda Knox case examining the implications of social media on court cases. The sophomores began learning about the Lizzie Borden case through various newspapers and discussed how media impacts people's perceptions. Both cases required that students examine evidence, interviews, police reports, and of course media coverage. Students had to determine what were the facts of the case and what information was sensationalized. We talked about the impact of media on court cases.
Underclassmen and future students have been asking when do they get to play the games. As a result of this newfound interest, I will be incorporating it again this year and future years to come.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Dahmen
Seniors Last Lecture
Funded Feb 15, 2011I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support and assistance in acquiring Randy Pausch's The Last Lecture. While my students were reading this memoir, they began to feel a deep connection to some of Randy's advice. Many of my students have expressed to me how much this book has made them think about their future. I have noticed students who were not inspired to read anything all year begin to carry this book with them everywhere. They embraced this book in such a way that I was touched.Several of my students even asked for their own personal copy of the book because they wanted to reread it. Of course, I gave them one of the copies of the book as a graduation gift because they were so touched by Randy's words.
My students have now finished reading the memoir. One of the activities that I asked my students to do after reading this memoir was to write their own last lecture to give to the juniors. Many of my students embraced this idea and bestowed wonderful words of wisdom upon the junior class.
As a unifying theme for the senior class at my school district, the students chose The Last Lecture as their graduation theme. They plan on incorporating some of Randy's bits of wisdom into their graduation speeches.
So I just want to say thank you for inspiring my students. ”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Dahmen
Young Literature Critics Unite
Funded Apr 11, 2008I want to take this opportunity to thank you for funding this project for my students. Personally, I cannot wait to turn my students into literature critics. This is going to be a wonderful experience for my current and future AP English students.
My Advanced Placement English students are looking forward to the Norton Critical editions of literature, as well as the opportunity to explore new works of literature. We are truly thankful for your donation, and we look forward to your generous gift”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Dahmen