Ms. Prayer's Classroom Edit display name

Past projects 118

• One Teacher’s Right to Continue to Grow Professionally

  Funded Feb 23, 2019

  As a member of ASCD, National Association of Gifted Children, and the International Literacy Association I have access to the latest research, new ideas from educators in the classroom, and best practices.

  I received my first Educational Leadership magazine this month. The feature article was about What Teens Need from Schools. Although, I work with younger students the strategies still apply. One article that caught my attention was "Giving Teens a Place at the Table" I learned that all students should feel empowered to share their voice and opinion, plus teachers should be open to listen. This article spoke to me because I believe that positive relationships are key inside and outside school.

  I plan on sharing all the strategies and best practices with my colleagues, so that their students can benefit also from these amazing resources. Thank you so much for allowing me to expand my knowledge and be empowered!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Prayer

  This classroom project was brought to life by Charles Schwab Foundation and 8 other donors.

• Book Tasting for Change: Supporting Animal Conservation

  Funded Sep 26, 2018

  I would like to thank you again for your generous donations. I was inspired to do a book tasting with my students after participating in one myself. After previewing books and flipping through the pages I instantly wanted to read more. I took that same approach with my students. My students previewed information books about animals. The books that were a huge hit were about weird animals, animals that make their own light, and the what if books.

  My students excitement was felt throughout the room! They enjoyed reading about animals. They also began to learn about some people who worked very hard to protect animals. This project captured the love of reading with wildlife conservation. I cannot thank you enough for your support!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Prayer

  This classroom project was brought to life by Biz and Livia Stone and 8 other donors.

• The Right Tool for the Job: NAGC Professional Development

  Funded May 8, 2018

  I would like to thank you again for providing me with the opportunity to attend the National Association for Gifted Children conference in Minneapolis. It was an amazing experience! The keynote speaker Dr. Michele Borba presented a moving session about ways teachers can build empathy in the classroom. Her passion for building empathy touched my heart on a personal level. I have one student in my classroom who prefers to sit by himself and not really work with others. It is not because he is uncomfortable or that our learning environment doesn't promote it. It is just how he feels comfortable. I always was bothered by it and I wanted him to know that others cared for him. Dr. Borba provided me with 9 teachable habits I could use to build empathy. I brought back some of her strategies to my classroom. One habit I worked to instill with my students was "Instilling perspective taking and learning to walk in another's shoes". I used short clips and books to help students understanding that we need each other. I noticed a positive change take place for this young man. He began to move away from normal seat and join his peers. He started to recognize that others do care about him.

  The conference was jam packed with great sessions. I learned ways I can incorporate film-making to advance students learning, the importance of taking sensitive to a students cultural background, how to design a poetry slam to motivate students to write, and ways to build parent support groups, etc.

  Although the conference has passed, I continue to learn it by visiting the presenters websites and reading research that they post. I truly appreciate your generous donation for this great professional development opportunity.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Prayer

  This classroom project was brought to life by Google.org and 6 other donors.

• Twisting Financial Literacy with Slime

  Funded Nov 16, 2018

  I would like to thank you again for supporting my classroom. The slime supplies were a big hit. When the box arrived and I told them what was in them the anticipation build. Everyday I was asked "are we going to make slime today." I reminded them to be patient and that the special day would come.

  When the day arrived we voted on the charms, foam beads, and glitter they wanted to use so that we did not waste any of the supplies. After we gathered all of those supplies together we broke into stations so that the students could freely create slime. Students really enjoyed mixing in the glitter to make it fit the holiday colors.

  We still have many supplies left to share this great experience again. I want to thank you for putting bright smiles on my students' faces.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Prayer

  This classroom project was brought to life by Charles Schwab Foundation and 6 other donors.

• Improving Reading & Writing Skills with Scholastic Magazines

  Funded Feb 15, 2018

  The Scholastic Storyworks magazines have been a must have to keep my students updated with rich literature. My students and I enjoy reading the historical fictional pieces because the writers have a special way of connecting them to events of the past. We recently read about Saving America's Wolves. The article connected my students to classic stories about the big bad wolf which evoked fear in many people to a majestic creature. My students began to question the wolf population in our on state and wanted to find ways to increase the wolf population.

  Each month we receive a new magazine full of great stories that continue to increase my students passion for reading. The magazines also allow me to instruct the varied abilities of students in my classroom because skills and text level can be increased or decreased for complexity. This is great because all students needs can be met using the same resource.

  The gratitude that I have for your support shows when my students uncover a new page, continue to ask questions, and grow as readers. Your support has allowed my students to grow as readers and I so thankful because of you.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Prayer

  This classroom project was brought to life by Craig Newmark Philanthropies and 2 other donors.

• Healthy Clean Classroom

  Funded Sep 7, 2018

  I would like to thank you again for providing my students with essential resources to keep our classroom healthy. Each student has a job in the classroom. My students who are the table washers or classroom custodians make sure that the desks, tables, and countertops are cleaned to prevent the spread of germs. They also use them to clean up messes that sometimes occur. My take pride in wanting to make sure that our classroom is clean. At the end of the day I know that it is because of your support my students are in a sanitized classroom.

  Again, we thank you for your generous support!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Prayer

  This classroom project was brought to life by Neukom Family Foundation and one other donor.

• The Power of Being a Continous Learning: NAGC

  Funded May 8, 2018

  Thank you for supporting my professional development! This project was one of two needed to fully fund an experience of a lifetime, which will take place in November. So far I have received resources that are research based to help me teach students with high potential. From my reading I learned that high potential learners should always have expected outcomes when it comes to curriculum. If they already mastered a concept what will I do as their teacher to challenge them and meet their need. This was especially important because so often gifted students are the ones left behind to peer tutor. This information reconfirmed something that I already knew. However, I did not think about it with the lens of what are their specific goals and how am I going to measure that they met them.

  I look forward to attending the conference in a November, where I will gain more knowledge from researchers in the field. Again, I thank you for your support and just can't wait.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Prayer

  This classroom project was brought to life by Google.org and 8 other donors.

• The Happiness Project: Classroom Rewards

  Funded Jun 1, 2018

  I would like to thank you again for the very generous donation you have made for to classroom. Last year I started a reward system in which students received raffle tickets for a chance to go into our class treasure chest. I have notice a huge increase in student participation and motivation. The treasure chest has been a huge hit and students really enjoyed the instant gratification.

  This group of students really enjoy the emoji keychains and the squishes. I am so grateful that I am able to provide this incentive to my students. I plan on keeping this treasure chest filled with items requested by my students.

  Thank you again for contributing to our classroom!”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Prayer

  This classroom project was brought to life by An Anonymous Arts Funder and 6 other donors.

• Harnessing Kids' Boundless Energy to Save Lives Near and Far

  Funded Feb 21, 2018

  The UNICEF Kid Power bands have made a huge impact with several of my students' activity level. Students with bands have continued to share with me how many steps they reached daily or they would say Ms. Prayer I earned another packet, which is a therapeutic food. This project connected my students with a bigger purpose. A positive way to help someone in need by just taking steps.

  Unfortunately, I did not have enough bands for all my students to have one and participate. A few students shared the news with their parents and actually purchased their own. I hope to continue this activity year after to year so that my students can turn they play and activity into a life saving tool.

  Thanks again for your support by helping my students unlock their potential and giving back”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Prayer

  This classroom project was brought to life by Craig Newmark Philanthropies and 3 other donors.

• Designing, Coding, and Programming Robotics with LEGO Mindstorms

  Funded Dec 28, 2017

  Thank you again for supporting our classroom! The LEGO Mindstorms have been a huge hit in my classroom for my students. It first started out as a group activity for students who were interested in robotics and programming. But it later moved into expert groups helping their classmates understand the function of different pieces. I was especially proud to see students who typically struggle with academics shine because the construction of the robot with all the intricate pieces seemed to be second nature. One student in particular guided a few girls to join in and design the robot Gripper.

  To extend this activity students brainstormed futuristic robots and their use, students read an article about robots for sale, and we even discussed common everyday robots in society. This project is just the beginning of connecting my students to role they may play with computer programming. Your support has truly allowed an abstract topic to be hands on for my students.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Prayer

  This classroom project was brought to life by Craig Newmark Philanthropies and 6 other donors.