Past projects 4
Seeing History Through The Twilight Zone
Funded Feb 19, 2016The Twilight Zone has added that fourth dimension to my teaching and student understanding. The students keep asking to to see more because the stories are timeless.
I used the episode "The Obsolete Man" to give the students a true understanding of how dictatorships work and the dangers they present. Then, we applied this to understand the dangers of democracy failing during The Great Depression and how President Roosevelt's New Deal saved us from a revolution that could of resulted in dictatorship. I was also able to use it to show how hard times in Germany during The Great Depression helped lead to the most sinister dictator in history, Adolf Hitler. Students learned also that the rise of Stalin in Russia was due to the hard times after WWI. The Students now truly realize how President Roosevelt saved this country with the New Deal.
Next, I intend to use "Deaths Head Revisited" along with the novel Night to help the students understand the atrocities of the Holocaust and what hate breeds. I also plan on using more such as "The Shelter", "Third From The Sun", "The Monsters Are Due On Maple Street", and "To Serve Man" to give a greater understanding of the Cold War, and the fear of communism, the arms race, and fear of nuclear annihilation. Then further connect it with the present situation in North Korea.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Gianninoto
Basic Supplies
Funded Feb 22, 2016My students truly enjoy that supplies are an afterthought. You need a pencil? It's there. You need paper? It's there. Whiteout is no longer an issue. Plus we have Post Its to organize our ideas. It's a problem solved for students that don't have.
The students have full access to the supplies and have truly respected them because they know they need them to last. They write essays and have what they need. Especially my special education students love the white out because they have less frustration and are no longer afraid to try. Also, students use the Post Its to organize major ideas and essential questions that create a deeper understanding of a topic. Recently, during our Great Depression Unit they were able to analyze the negative feelings towards President Hoover by analyzing the Annie musical song "We'd Like to Thank You Herbert Hoover" to add deeper understanding. I then put the Post Its up in class so they have a constant reference tool.
I'll say it again, you are truly Amazing Yoga for helping students that unfortunately many have written off.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Gianninoto
Annotating Success
Funded May 17, 2014I want to express my student's gratitude for your kind donations. My students were surprised that people were actually trying to support their efforts after years without adequate supplies. From their reaction, I could see that they were more at ease and confident because the stress of not having writing instruments, paper, a stapler, and Post Its was no longer an issue. Therefore the learning became the major focus.
The students were happy that they could save time and effort through the efficient method of annotating inside Fahrenheit 451. These sticky pieces of paper made a difference because now they were able to earmark and identify strong relevant information. Furthermore, easy access to relevant information made them able to use it unlike in the past, where they wouldn't pick up the book a second time because the information was too hard to locate without annotations. Also, they used the annotated novel to conducted classroom discussions based on easily accessible information and quotes.
I have been made a more effective teacher because now I could get the students to use evidence because the skill made sense and the information was at their fingertips. I was able to allow them to conduct their own higher level discussions because they had strong accessible information. Moreover, my goal is to provide them with the skills they will need in high school and beyond. This was aided by the fact that we had the tools to annotate with guidance now so that they will be independently able to annotate as they go on in education.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Gianninoto
Tools For Success
Funded Feb 16, 2014My students were extremely grateful and uplifted by the fact that they felt supported in their endeavor to achieve. Most mentioned the fact that they could now sharpen a pencil with ease and highlight their readings. In fact, they were excited and got a boost when I opened the box in front of them.
They are using these supplies to learn more effectively through varied activities. They use the markers to develop student made vocabulary charts. In addition, the highlighters were extremely effective when it cam to identifying relevant details that they could use in their writing and discussions. The pens and pencils were great in every facet of the students day including the fact that they did not have to worry about sharpened pencils on state assessment days.
These supplies have allowed me to be more inventive and effective as a teacher. I have been able to support student learning with varied activity. The mix of independent and cooperative activities has provided the greatest advantage, which is student interest in learning.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Gianninoto