Past projects 9
Writer's Unblocked!
Funded Aug 7, 2023I wanted to to express my sincere thanks for your generous donation towards our classroom. I am truly thankful for your kindness and generosity.
With the supplies you have provided, particularly the printer paper, erasable pens, and additional writing materials, my students will have the necessary tools to overcome their speech and language disabilities and succeed in their written expression.
The printer paper will enable me to print learning supports directly in the classroom, offering immediate assistance during independent writing sessions. The students love the erasable pens but more importantly they are providing my students with the freedom to focus on the creative process of writing without the fear of making mistakes. This is allowing them to feel a sense of independence and confidence in their abilities. They are not only writing but are illustrating their work which is further enhancing their engagement and creativity.
Your generosity is empowering them to become writers and authors who are discovering their voices and sharing their stories. Thank you! You gift means more than you know.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Loughran
This classroom project was brought to life by Ferrero U.S.A., Inc. and 4 other donors.Alternative Seating
Funded Oct 11, 2023We are so enjoying the alternative seating you gifted our class. Students have been enjoying using the chairs during independent work, small group instruction and whole group time.
I have been reading a high level text aloud to students in our ELA block. Several of my students have language based learning disabilities and they resist any type of reading activity because it is so difficult for them. The chairs have helped make our shared reading time a more comfortable experience.
As you can see in the accompanying photos students enjoy working together in these chairs. As fifth graders they are getting ready to move on to Middle school. They're the "big kids" and they love sitting in these chairs that somehow make them feel older and more in charge of their learning.
Thank you for your generosity!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Loughran
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community & an Anonymous Partner and one other donor.Back to Basics!
Funded Dec 6, 2022Thank you so much for the supplies you gifted us. We have been busily putting them to good use. The printer paper has allowed me to react immediately when students need process charts in order to successfully complete math work. I can print out individual charts that students keep in their resource binders and refer to as they need it. During the winter months we were able to keep the classroom clean with all of the cleaning supplies which was reassuring to students, parents and school personnel. With Covid continuing to impact student attendance we were able to keep students healthy. We even won the attendance trophy! Allergy season has seen us use up the tissues and paper towels. This was such a wonderful gift. We all Thank you!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Loughran
Hi Tech for High Motivation
Funded Sep 23, 2021Thank you so much for your generous gift. My students have truly enjoyed your gift. They love using the calculators to check their work. The calculators have extended their thinking in ways that I could only hope for. When they check their work and find that their answer is incorrect they are going back to their work to figure out where they made their error. As I write, one of the learning displays in our classroom is proudly displaying a "Find the Error" problem that students developed and DID find the error! One of my students has dubbed himself "The Human Calculator!" You have been part of the journey from the fear of math to the joy of Math. Thankyou!
The headphones you donated have also been a wonderful addition to our class. Students are able to use them during our Stations Rotations where they can listen to texts read aloud. Through their use I can also differentiate instruction to better meet students' individual needs.
Thank you for helping us!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Loughran
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and one other donor.Basic School Supplies
Funded Aug 12, 2021Thank you so much for your generous gift. We have been enjoying the supplies that you gifted us. I was able to provide my students with their marble notebooks for each subject. We color coded each subject which is very helpful for many of my students who have organizational problems. It was also very helpful for the students to see that each one of them has the same supplies. No one felt like they had less or were less than their peers.
We use the yellow notebooks in our writers' station and the students are using them every day. They are writing about their independent reading books, which character they' like to be and on Friday's they have "Free Write Friday!" They love it!!
They also use the Dry Erase markers daily. It is heartwarming to see how well they take care of them knowing that you gave them this gift.
Thank you again for supporting us. You have made a difference in our lives.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Loughran
This classroom project was brought to life by Bill Gates and one other donor.W.O.R.D.S Matter!
Funded Mar 23, 2020Thank you so much for your generosity! My students have already benefited greatly from your gifts. We used the Vocabulary Journals as we learned about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and are continuing to use them as we read the historical fiction novel "Esperanza Rising" by Pam Muniz Ryan.
The students were thrilled to receive the books. I was able to give them to the students before we went fully remote and they were proud to work independently in them both in school and during remote instruction.
I created stations where students could interact with the Vocabulary Journals and the listening centers. I was able to differentiate based on students's learning levels but use similar materials so students didn't feel different or "less than" their peers who are at a higher learning level. In the upper grades students are aware of learning differences and learning inequities. All of my students felt important and celebrated because they had fun learning activities.
Thank you so much for making this possible for my students. Sometimes words are NOT enough to show how grateful you are. Maybe letters can show you:
One of my students came to me as an 'A' reader which means he was reading at a Pre-K level. His reading level has increased to Level G. He has moved 1 and a half grade levels in 7 months. I believe this is because he is in a literacy rich environment which you have contributed to through your generous donation. A kind act is like a ripple in a pond. You never know where its going to stop. This child is your ripple! Thank you!!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Loughran
The Lightning Bug and the Lightning
Funded Sep 18, 2017The writing folders, pencils and grips were so gratefully received by my students. They were thrilled to know that someone cared enough about them and their work that they had bought these beautiful folders. Knowing that someone else had invested in them made them very proud. They were eager to get to work and are happily using the folders each day.
Some of the children in my class have difficulty with organization and the folders have helped so much in this area. We have been teaching the students about the different stages in the writing process and the folders allow the students to track their own writing process. This is particularly helpful because it allows students to become more independent. They move at their own pace and when they come to me to conference the work can begin more quickly.
The students also love the pencils. They like to work with the smaller pencils which is improving their grasp. When I first introduced the supplies to the students they handled the pencils with such care. One of my students said her pencil felt beautiful.
Once again, I just want to say thank you. Your gift has had such a tremendous impact on my students.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Loughran
Calling All Authors!
Funded Feb 7, 2018My students are thrilled to be using the items purchased through your generous donations. Students are busily creating their own books and I am busily taking pictures. I also got a fabulous job proposal. I was asked if I would be editor of the students' work to make sure it was good. I had to turn down the offer but I'm training them to be their own editors. They loved that idea! Our project was named "Calling All Authors!" and I have ended up engaging writers and editors in the entire writing process. I am so excited and proud! Students are working at stations so I am using the the picture holders to help them navigate the stations. I'm also using them to hold laminated table charts with Growth Mindset quotes.
I am truly thankful for your donations. I requested them for my students but I ended up receiving much more. My students' delight, their smiles, their hugs! I send you their love along with mine.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Loughran
Math-A-Palooza Is Here!
Funded Dec 14, 2016I am so grateful to you for your generosity in donating to my project. I had an idea and a wish and you helped me more than you know.
I hoped that by introducing math games I would solve the problem that so many of my students face: fear of math. I did not think about the social implications of my strategy but that may be an even greater success.
The students love the games. We play "I Have, Who Has...?" as a whole class activity. The students are eager to participate and rise to the challenge as the numerical operations become more involved. They don't see it as work. They enjoy the escape into play and love to earn this game as a way to wind down after a long day of learning.
We usually play the other games as part of small group time. Early finishers are able to play the games to deepen their knowledge and their comfort level with math. We have also used the games when we station teach some math lessons. This has been a spectacular success.
I noticed as students played and learned together that they began to help each other. Those students who grasped concepts more quickly than others began to help those who struggled. They became more empowered and became a resource for others. Students who struggled began to reach out and ask for help. Playing these games broke down barriers that I had been slowly trying to dismantle!
As you see, we truly appreciate your help, but I need to add to that. I thought I was receiving math games, but what I received was more than that. I received that feeling that all teachers yearn for. I received satisfaction as I saw my students eyes sharpen as understanding clicked into place. I received delight when I hear students say "I got it!" I also received gratitude in parent's smiles when their children enthusiastically tell them about what they learned in school that day.
So, what began as a hope and a wish has become a reality, and like ripples in a pond I can only imagine the effects your gift will have.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Loughran