Ms. Prayer's Classroom Edit display name

Past projects 118

• Classroom Essentials Needed

  Funded Feb 6, 2018

  I would like to thank you again for your generous support. Students no longer have to worry about not having an eraser because our container has been refilled. Having the ability to have such a basic tool allows my students to know that they are truly valued. We are currently working on a biography project where students are researching a person who has made a huge contribution to society. They have created a biography trading card and it has been brought to life with the color pencils. Students have taken so much pride in their work adding special details to their work. The pencil sharpener has also been a major hit especially in the mornings as students prepare to start their day off with a sharp pencil.

  Thank you for providing my students with the basic essentials.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Prayer

  This classroom project was brought to life by Craig Newmark Philanthropies and 4 other donors.

• Powerful Messages Uncovered Page by Page

  Funded Nov 20, 2017

  Thank you for supporting our classroom and helping me develop a passion for reading with my students. The books have been a great addition to our classroom library. The 365 Days of Wonder book provides life lesson quotes in a kid friendly way. As part of our school morning announcements students read a quote from this book daily. My students and I have discussed what the quotes mean and how it applies to life.

  My students have especially enjoyed the National Geographic books. They like to learn about the castles and the history behind them. Just like the castles built many years ago each book is a brick in their foundation. You are helping me lay this foundation by your support and because of that I am thankful.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Prayer

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

• Transforming My Classroom into a Think Tank With Kagan Strategies

  Funded Oct 16, 2017

  Let me start with how inspiring it was to attend the Kagan Winter Academy in Las Vegas. I learned some amazing strategies that tap into different thinking skills. This training was not like other sessions where you sit and listen. Each strategy and activity was modeled and then we discussed different ways we could actually apply it in the classroom.

  My highlight of the training was the expertise of presenter and his real passion for helping all students. He confirmed what I already knew about how the classroom environment should be one that is collaborative and supportive for all students no matter what their abilities are.

  I've learned over 20 different strategies that build on different critical thinking strategies. I have used several of the strategies in my classroom so far. I have used Team Mate Consensus which requires students to synthesize their learning through writing, listening, and speaking. Students made inferences and then wrote their inference on a large chart paper. After students shared their writing and as a group they agreed or disagreed with their peers. They did not just state whether they agreed but had to back it up with evidence. Once they came up with a consensus they wrote a shortened version in the middle of their chart paper. This activity required them to recall information from the text, paraphrase what they heard, and evaluate whether it was valid. This strategy allowed all of my students to be active participants in their learning.

  I can't wait to use the other strategies that I learned and I share my experiences with my colleagues so they can do to develop their students thinking skills.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Prayer

  This classroom project was brought to life by Charles Schwab and one other donor.

• Moving with the Brain in Mind

  Funded Oct 23, 2017

  I would like to thank you again for your support! My students have used the mice on a daily basis. The Echo Show and rug have made a huge impact in our class. Students enjoy sitting on the rug because they feel like they are at home. Echo has intrigued my students because of its' ability to respond so quickly to their questions. My students have started to learn a little more about artificial intelligence and how it helps people with special needs. Our classroom has been transformed into a flexible seating environment where my students are free to move because of your generous support.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Prayer

• Books Bring Adventures to Life

  Funded Nov 20, 2017

  I would like to thank you allowing my students to have books that they enjoy. When the books arrived several students were excited because they actually had books that they wanted to read. The Wings of Fire series have been a big hit and this project was written with my students in mind. My students take the time each day to read independently. During this time I conference with students to survey their interests and the progress they are making to read a variety of books. The new books have encouraged other students to try different books because they hear their peers talking about what is going on in the literature they are reading.

  Your support has truly supported my students passion for reading and I am humbly thankful.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Prayer

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

• Money Wise Improves Lives

  Funded Oct 9, 2017

  Thank you again for supporting our classroom and providing my students with the technology that helped them develop and understanding of financial literacy. The Osmo genius kits and coding game engaged my students in a fun hands on activity about critical thinking. My students designed mind maps that showed connections to occupations they are interested in and economics. It was interesting to see their understanding of needs and wants as they connected financial choices people have to make. The iPad and Apple Pen allowed my students to learn about how people turn their dreams and passions into successful businesses. This project has enlightened my students to become financially dependent.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Prayer

  This classroom project was brought to life by Charles Schwab and 2 other donors.

• Intelligent Machines in Action: Robots in the Classroom

  Funded Aug 31, 2017

  I would like to thank you for supporting our classroom. The Cubelets have allowed my students to experiment with input and outputs of robotics. The Cubelets have taught my students that just like in computers everything has a specific function. My students have problem solved and developed critical thinking skills as they manipulated each Cubelet. I have witnessed my students excitement when they mastered a program a created a function that was planned. Their mistakes also taught them valuable lessons about persistence. The Romba provided a real world application of robotics. This was an important factor because my students need to see the world of tomorrow being created by people who problem solve and collaborate to bounce ideas off of each other.

  I thank you again for these amazing resources that brought forth great experiences.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Prayer

  This classroom project was brought to life by 3M and one other donor.

• Teaching Tolerance, Respect, and Empathy

  Funded Aug 30, 2017

  I would like to thank you for supporting my students understanding of tolerance. We used the book The Journey to follow the path a family took as they had to flee their home because of a war. This book helped my students understand that we have to show empathy and respect for what people may be going through. Several students read books independently that depicted characters from diverse backgrounds. These books developed a better understanding for social and emotional issues that all people may face.

  Our next steps for this project will be to take social action. My students are currently writing a narrative from the perspective of a refugee. Their narratives will be brought to life with a visual representation. I am so thankful for this opportunity that you have allowed my students to have and the rich text they are now exposed to.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Prayer

  This classroom project was brought to life by An Anonymous Funder and 2 other donors.

• Authentic Journalism Tailored for Students- TIME for Kids

  Funded Sep 18, 2017

  I would like to thank you for the Time for Kids magazines. Each month we receive a new subscription full of current events that my students can relate to. The magazines have motivated my students to learn more about topics that they knew very little about.

  We have learned about hurricane hunters, how scientist are trying to reverse the past, and animal extinction.

  I can not thank you enough for the new instructional resources you have provided my students and all the new knowledge they will gain because of Time for Kids.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Prayer

  This classroom project was brought to life by TIME and one other donor.

• Finding Historical Context for Tolerance

  Funded Sep 17, 2017

  I would like to thank you again for your generous donations. The Who Was and What Was books have been a huge hit in my classroom. My students enjoy reading and are always excited to learn new things. My students have been learning about the experiences of refugees from was and their journey towards a safe new home. Students wrote about the feeling of being a refugee to demonstrate their understanding and the new books we received have deepened their understanding of trailblazers in history.

  Our future goals with the books will be to do an in-depth biography of a person of their choice using this high engaging text.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Prayer

  This classroom project was brought to life by An Anonymous Funder and one other donor.