Past projects 13
See Our World in COLOR!
Funded Jan 9, 2024Thank you for your kindness and generosity in helping my class acquire our new color printer and ink. The depth and beauty that can be achieved in a color photo is significantly more impactful than what we can experience in a black and white. While black and white is suitable for certain circumstances, when it's possible, color always seems to engage students more.
Now with our charts and walls filing up with color, a tangible difference is obvious in engagement and interest. On top of that, since most of what I'm doing involves vocabulary, students are much more excited about learning new words, and with the picture support they're getting, the words and their meanings are sticking more.
Getting the printer has also opened up an area for certain students who have an interest in technology. I'm not ashamed to say that I needed a couple of my tech-savvy students to troubleshoot the initial set up. I couldn't have done it without them...
Or you.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Ray
This classroom project was brought to life by Someone who cares about New York City and 5 other donors.We Want to Read! But First, We Need Books!
Funded Jan 10, 2023If reading and literacy are integral keys to success in school and life, and for many people they are, then you have played a major part in helping my students start to unlock the mysteries that have plagued them their entire school careers. Finally - FINALLY! - with engaging, appropriate texts, they are able to use what they're learning and apply it to genuine, real life books...FOR ENJOYMENT!
Some of my students would never touch a book unless it was absolutely required, and even then, they would ONLY touch it - not open it, and definitely not read it. What a difference your gift has made. Those same students are now asking me, "Can I read this book?" My answer is always the same, "Never ask me if you can read a book. You can read whenever you want."
In our society, the ability to read is often equated with intelligence, and this is a self-defeating reality for kids who can't read at the level they're expected. I have one student in particular who has a learning disability - as smart a student as I've ever had, full of wise observations, but desperately lacking in confidence because of his troubles reading. With all the interventions he is finally getting this year, he is turning the corner and for the first time, saying - genuinely - he is proud of himself. He loves the books, loves sharing them with others, and loves feeling good about himself.
And so, you should feel good about yourself, too. You've really helped me make a difference.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Ray
Uncomfortable and Unfocused - Time for a Change
Funded Nov 30, 2022This project, which you so graciously decided to support with your generous donation, was an instant hit as soon as the boxes arrived in our classroom. Remember, this project was originally conceived directly from the complaints of concerns of my students. They didn't want to sit on a cold, dirty floor, and even when they did, manipulating all the necessary supplies was difficult and cumbersome.
So, when I opened the box of desks, they were instantly intrigued. Prior to the desks being available, I averaged approximately 3 or 4 students sitting in the meeting area, with the remaining 7 or 8 all around the room. It was difficult for me to maintain engagement and difficult for them to pay attention. That necessary flow and mojo were missing. But once those desks emerged, BAM! The entire class sat together in the meeting area for the first time this year (on December 8!!). Some students had a unique and comfortable way to use the desks: they placed them on a chair and created a hybrid of chair and desk. Adding cushions has only enhanced the seating experience.
So now that they're comfortable, we can begin to increase the level of engagement. Gone are the excuses of "the floor is too hard," replaced with, "Yo, bruh! Check out this desk! This desk is fresh!" I am anticipating a greater personal investment in each student's education and, I hope, growth in their knowledge. Thank you so much for your thoughtful gift to our classroom.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Ray
This classroom project was brought to life by an Anonymous Classroom Supporter and 5 other donors.Let's Decompress With Art!
Funded Nov 30, 2021Art is always a big hit with my class, which is somewhat of a shame because there are so many academic demands placed on them that we don't get to experience it as often as we want. That's been helped by your generosity.
When I opened the huge box of art supplies, students shrieked with excitement and joy.
Now, everyone has a stash of model magic on their desk for breaks throughout the day. We twist pipe cleaners for fun and for projects - some students even send me pictures of what they're making at home.
We had a door decorating contest in school. With the help of pipe cleaner candy canes and window frames, we won it!
Thank you for thinking of my students. With all that's been lost to the pandemic, they feel much pressure and stress as we move through an already challenging curriculum.
But their new art materials certainly help them decompress! Thank you.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Ray
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 5 other donors.A Warm, Welcoming Homecoming After a Long Time Away
Funded Sep 23, 2021It's an exciting feeling to have been given the gift of generosity that I am able to pass to my students in the form of a warm, inviting classroom. I am filled with gratitude for your kindness. Wherever you are, please know you've made an impact on my class.
In our little corner of the world, students are now greeted every morning by a cheery welcome sign on our door. Once they enter, an inspirational message beams from the cinema light box, telling them things like, "You are a superstar!" or "You are amazing!" or "You are so smart!" We make reference to the daily message as the day goes on. Throughout the day, our classroom custodian is hard at work sweeping the floors, taking pride in his leadership role. And on each student table, there is a bounty of supplies organized neatly so all can access them.
I thank you. Your small act of kindness ripples fully everyday in our classroom. Colleagues come in and remark on the change in the physical environment. Such changes go a long way in helping students feel warm and welcome. After such a long way away, they appreciate it so much.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Ray
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 4 other donors.Children And Plants Grow Together!
Funded Apr 13, 2011I have to thank you all for making this project a reality. The idea to have a table top planter in the classroom grew out of the seedling of inspiration that came when my students planted kidney beans on the window sill and marveled at the way they developed each day. Now, though the school year is winding down, the planter enables us to have more experiences with science and plants. As I type this, their Lima beans are germinating beneath the light. The planter has also become one of the focal points of a once dormant science center, and kids are drawn to it when they come in and at down times. Thanks for making our lives a bit greener and more interesting!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Ray
From Caterpillar To Butterfly: The Story Of My Class
Funded Mar 24, 2011I let my students share in the experience of opening the heavy mystery box that arrived at our door the other day. As you might imagine, they were like kids on Christmas morning.
They thought the magnifying glasses were awesome. We immediately experimented with them, beginning to understand how to make things appear bigger, and how helpful they are when we want to look at things in greater detail. They have been using them every time they make observations of their kidney bean plants.
As for the butterfly pavilions, they are going to be so wonderful for the kids. When the weather gets a little warmer, I will send away for our larvae, and together we will witness the metamorphosis of larvae to butterfly.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Ray
Listen Closely: You Can Help Us Become Better Readers!
Funded Sep 14, 2010You made a sound donation when you chose to give to my students to fund this project. Reading is difficult for all of my children, due to a variety of issues, but with your simple, kind gesture, you have put them on a path to make it just a little easier. Allow me to explain:
Because of you, my students now have sturdy headphones that won't break, and they can plug them into the computers to listen to books (and read along!) as well as play games. No one in the room is disturbed, and them doing so allows me to work with other students on an independent level while also being secure in the knowledge that the others are doing meaningful work.
With the listening center, students are also working independently, listening to books they know and love, which helps them improve their fluency and sight word recognition.
They thank you, and I thank you.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Ray
We Flip for Read Aloud!!
Funded Aug 11, 2010The original goal of this project was to fund the purchase of a Flip camera that would serve my students outside the classroom with much greater impact than inside. Last year I had a class web site on which students were able to view videos I created using my colleague's Flip camera, and they loved the ability to listen to a book read by their teacher from the comfort of home.
I'm in a different teaching situation now, but the Flip camera is still finding ways to serve my students. We are documenting trips and learning in ways that would be impossible if not for you. Even as I write this, I am inspired with new ideas to help them grow as learners. I can envision students reading favorite books on camera and us adding them to a digital library on our computers. With a Flip camera, the possibilities are endless.
So, although the camera can not be used as we all believed it originally would, please know that it is nevertheless making an impact - and so are you.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Ray
We Can't Take Pictures Without Memory Cards! Please Help!
Funded Jan 21, 2010The memory cards and camera cases you helped purchase are yet to arrive in the classroom, but they have been ordered. What peace of mind this provides me. I expect they'll be in my possession sometime in the coming week, allowing me to avoid what could have been a major inconvenience as I rally my students to do the creative, exciting, important work they're going to do. When the accessories I arrive, I plan to set them up for use in the room and then let my students' imaginations and talents run free.
You bailed us out of a jam and we're all so appreciative.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Ray