Past projects 2
Engaging African American Males
Funded Mar 31, 2023Thank you so very much for equipping African American male students at our school with resources that uplift them. It was such a blessing to witness the looks of interest on the faces of our club members.
Meeting with them and discussing societal issues that impact their mental health has helped with improving interactions among other students.
The reading materials provided are current and relevant. They will be used for years to come in our Uplifting African American Males club. We thank you exceedingly!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Baines
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and one other donor.The Potential of Maximizing Literacy Stations
Funded Oct 10, 2014My students' were elated with the resources provided for the literacy project. They spoke of how good it felt to receive new materials versus having to use old and torn novels from the previous year. Many were grateful to have a nice supply of pens available at their disposal. In addition, many voiced a need for more independent literacy stations to build self-efficacy.
The class established a literacy station, which allowed students to rotate from whole group to small group, then independent stations. With the Jimmy Santiago Baca materials, as a whole group we discussed select excerpts then branched off into small groups for deeper analysis. For example, in whole group we discussed in general the Prologue, then in the small groups, students were able to identify specific literary techniques employed such as imagery, personification, symbolism, and so. Once individuals demonstrated mastery in these areas, I felt comfortable with assigning the literacy station designed to provide an area for essay writing and publishing using the Chromebook provided.
Lastly,many had never used a Chromebook, so this was a great tool to teach them how to publish their projects from the novels received. To make this project special, I specifically ordered higher quality pens to give their writings a special gleam. Overall, this was a special and unique project because the materials provided showcased Baca, an individual whose past represented a lot of what my students' currently experience. Thus, they were able to read an author's words and truly embrace those thoughts because many of those words were words that gave them voice to their current situation.
These past few weeks of using the novel, A Place to Stand, and supplemental materials have served to provide my students' and I a bonding that other pieces have not quite measured up to. We thank you.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Baines