Mrs. Lugo's Classroom Edit display name

Current requests

Past projects 4

• Botley Bonanza: Screen-Free Coding in the Early Grades!

  Funded Apr 18, 2018

  This fabulous set of Botley Robots has been an awesome complement to our lower grade computer science program. Until we started using Botley, my students' coding experiences had been limited to websites on laptops and tablets. Thanks to these adorable robots, they are able to write programs, and then see actual machines respond to their commands. It really brings the ideas to life for them.

  Whenever we use Botley, my students are working on essential 21st century skills: collaboration, communication, creativity, and critical thinking. They have to work together to innovate solutions to different tasks. I have never seen students more engaged in accomplishing classroom assignments than when they conquer a challenge with the robots. With Botley, they do not have to rely on screens to create their algorithms and see the results, and it is so empowering for them.

  Botley and all of its accessories has been particularly meaningful for our first grade classes, and especially for my special needs students. While all of the classes I teach have the opportunity for robotics experiences, this group has been building their persistence through every task. They beam with pride when they complete every mission. Most of my students in this class are non-readers, and because they do not have to read in order to be successful, it truly levels the playing field for them. Their smiles of success light my day. They are so appreciative, as am I, of the donations that have made these experiences possible. Words cannot adequately express our thankfulness.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Lugo

  This classroom project was brought to life by Learning Resources and 4 other donors.

• Dash & Dot Robots + Kindle Tablets = Hands-on Coding

  Funded Mar 27, 2018

  This incredible set of Dashes, Dots, and Kindles has been an amazing addition to our computer science program. Until now, my students' coding experiences have been strictly limited to websites and apps on laptops and tablets. Thanks to the robots, they are able to program on the tablets and then see their commands come to life.

  Whenever we use them, my students are working on essential 21st century skills: collaboration, communication, creativity, and critical thinking. They have to solve puzzles, accomplish tasks, and even tell jokes with the robots. I have never seen students more engaged when they achieve a given challenge. The shouts of excitement are so encouraging to hear. The kids are learning and they are having a fabulous time doing it!

  The robots have been particularly significant to our fifth grade STEM enrichment club, which I affectionately refer to as my "STEM Squad." While all of the classes I teach have the opportunity for robotics experiences, this particular group is able to go deeper with challenges posed through a national robotics competition. They are truly appreciative, as am I, of the donations that have made their participation possible. Words cannot adequately express our thankfulness.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Lugo

  This classroom project was brought to life by Ripple and 16 other donors.

• STEM Challenges: Practicing Persistence

  Funded Nov 13, 2017

  Thanks to your generosity, I have never seen students so excited to learn. The STEM kits are a hit! As much as we all know that kids love to use various electronics, it has been so validating to see that they are actually even more excited to get their hands on these materials.

  When I walk into each classroom with my kits for the period, you can actually hear how excited they are for the activities. My kindergartners and first graders talk among themselves: "Oh, I'm totally building the roller coaster." "I want to debug the tubes!" It is awesome how these STEM activities are so pertinent to our coding curriculum; they are a great "unplugged" connection to the concepts of cause and effect, sequencing, and debugging.

  As we head towards the spring, my second and third graders are looking forward to applying the science content they have learned so far this year to the real world STEM challenges. Our units on earth materials, force and motion, and simple machines have prepared them to take on these engineering design challenges. My students and I are deeply grateful for the opportunity to experience STEM learning thanks to your donations.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Lugo

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

• Carpe(t) Diem!

  Funded Dec 27, 2016

  Our amazing new carpet has been a wonderful addition to our classroom. We placed it at the front of the classroom in our meeting area, and it is the first thing most people notice when they walk in the room. The clean, brightly colored squares welcome everyone into the room; it truly has given the classroom a warmer, friendlier feeling.

  When the huge box first arrived, our students were filled with anticipation and excitement. We had previously explained that some incredible people around the country who just happen to love helping kids enabled the purchase of a rug for our room, and they couldn't wait to see it. They helped us unpack it and set it up right away; they were so eager to gather together on it.

  The carpet is truly a focal point for our room. We congregate there for class meetings and to conduct our mini-lessons, with our turn-and-talk time and other group activities. The students are no longer reluctant to come to the front, where they used to sit on cold, uncomfortable tiles. Instead, they excitedly join us and "find a square" where they can do their best learning.

  During independent and group work time, students will voluntarily make their way to the rug to work with a partner or small group. It's not only fostering deeper conversations about our subject matter, but it's also improving relationships among the students. Children who normally wouldn't work together find themselves helping one another during math. They find other students who enjoy the same types of books. Students love making independent choices, and they love that the rug is one of their options for many activities throughout the day.

  We are deep into our unit on fraction multiplication, and soon moving into fraction division. The carpet is a great place for them to spread out with their math tools and dig into their learning. At this point, we can hardly remember what our classroom was like without it, all thanks to you!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Lugo