Past projects 2
Coding with Ozobot Bits For Bright Kids
Funded Mar 27, 2018Thank you so much for being so thoughtful and generous. My students absolutely love the ozobots! The photos that I've uploaded may not show their excitement, but it does show learning in action. They are conducting investigations, using scientific and technological language to describe what they are seeing and doing, asking thought-provoking and relevant questions, thinking critically, taking risks, problem solving, and collaborating. They are inspired to learn more about coding. In this day and age, with careers that are yet to exist, we need to open their world far beyond their current realities. Thanks for the support!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Hamilton-Aguilar
This classroom project was brought to life by Ripple and 3 other donors.Young Inventors: Today and Tomorrow
Funded May 20, 2013YouâÃÂÃÂd be amazed at how surprised my students were to learn that people who donâÃÂÃÂt know them personally donated resources for our project. They were very inquisitive. They wanted to know why you were so generous, how you knew they had a project to complete, etc. So, I had to explain the concept of Donors Choose to them. It was such an eye-opening discussion that many of them expressed a desire to give back when theyâÃÂÃÂre able.
My fourth grade students were elated when our first box arrived. Enclosed was the Kindle Fire HD. As soon as I removed it from the box, I could hear the oohs and aahs. Many of my students had not actually seen (other than on television), let alone held a tablet before. Therefore, the discussions began to take place immediately. My students compared the Kindle Fire to a desktop, laptop, a cellular phone. They were intrigued with the technology, which in turn increased their excitement about creating an invention to advance technology.
Days later, the camera arrived. My students were anxious about taking photos. I allowed each student to hold it. Then, I informed them about the process they would go through to complete their invention and that they would be able to take photographs of their prototypes later.
The Kindle Fire HD was the first resource used. In small groups, students were able to surf the web to research technology related to their ideas. They also located website and mailing address of the companies that they planned to submit their original idea to. Many of them wanted to download and use apps that they were familiar with, but I kept them focused on the task at hand.
Later, students were given the opportunity to explore more of the Kindle Fire HD capabilities. They were able to listen to audiobooks of novels we are reading in class. There are individual educational programs that they have used, like Raz-Kids and BrainPOP. I used the timer app for reading fluency practice. We have explored other apps related to science, mathematics, history, health, and language.
Cameras are always exciting tool for children to use. If given an opportunity, students will take photographs of everything in sight. My students were able to take a photograph of their own invention, which we have displayed on our hallway bulletin boards outside of our classroom for all to see. That was a time-consuming, yet beneficial experience for students to have as well.
This project has opened our minds to a plethora of ideas for future projects and assignments. Very soon, we will begin to research, explore, and share our personal talents and interests with each other. I would like to help students develop goals related to their interests in order to spotlight college and career goals and present them in their own way.
Corey, Michael, Sara, Ted, Roslyn, Rebeca, Andrea, Maria, Friends and Family and Anonymous Donors, thank you so much for your generosity. You have opened a world of possibilities to my students. I know it sounds clichÃÂé, but they are our future, and I see it everyday. My hope is for each one to succeed by following their chosen path. You, through your donations, are helping to make that happen, one classroom at a time. ”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Hamilton-Aguilar