Past projects 21
STEM: Legos & Robotics
Funded Oct 22, 2018I wish you could have been in my classroom today. I have never seen a group of students so focused on the task in front of them. They worked together as a team, they problem-solved, they were democratic about choosing the best ideas, and they engineered solutions. I can't tell you how hard it is to get a group of adolescents to work cooperatively and creatively without bickering. The project has been a huge success and I cannot thank you enough! My students are learning valuable skills that will improve their chances for future success.
I know that my students are immensely thankful for this opportunity and I hope that you will continue to support our classroom in the future.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Robles
This classroom project was brought to life by Samsung and 3 other donors.The Gulch's Garden
Funded Mar 2, 2018I can't express my appreciation enough for the generosity you have shown me students. They have truly enjoyed growing their own vegetables. I have seen their confidence grow and their understanding of nature blossom. Your donations have made their gardening experience more successful than it could have been without it. The soil amendments and tools have made the garden a huge learning experience. The students learned to test nutrients levels in the raised beds and to measure correct amounts of amendments to improve the soil composition. This hands-on learning experience has made all the difference in my students' year. Thank you for everything you do for me and my students.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Robles
This classroom project was brought to life by UPS Foundation and 3 other donors.Project Station
Funded Mar 27, 2018I can't express my gratitude for the amazing generosity that I have seen. It has been a very busy time of the year and the project station has made implementing the hands-on learning curriculum so much smoother. The students get to work and stay focused on what they need to accomplish because they know where everything is and where everything goes. The students are engaged and interested in the workplace station. They want to use the work station because they know that it makes their jobs easier and more efficient. Thank you for all the wonderful materials that you provide for my classroom and for all the improved learning opportunities that you make possible. I can't express my gratitude enough.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Robles
This classroom project was brought to life by Ripple and 3 other donors.Hoops for Hope
Funded Nov 28, 2017We have really benefited from all the equipment that you have provided us. The new basketball team has used all the basketballs, the storage rack, the clipboard, and the court stencil with great enthusiasm. The team is playing a weekly game at the local community college and they are practicing multiple times a week. The equipment has helped the team stay organized, learn plays, and practice with official game balls. The experience has been invaluable. Each player has a new found since of accomplishment and confident in themselves. We greatly appreciate all the help that your donations have provided our school's new basketball team. We couldn't have had the same experience without your generosity.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Robles
This classroom project was brought to life by DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation - Sports Matter and 3 other donors.Flexible Seating
Funded Nov 14, 2017At first, I was hesitant to implement flexible seating options in my middle school and high school classroom. I was worried about work ethic decreasing and play increasing. But I have to say that after researching the pros and cons of flexible seating, I posted this project. I received pillows and bean bag chairs for the rug area of my classroom. The students have been enjoying the new seating options immensely. I can not emphasize how this new seating has changed everything that happens in my classroom. I have been using the area as a group work zone, a reward for improved behavior, and an independent work area. The new pillows and bean bag chairs are a very popular choice for the students. Thank you for providing this amazing resource for my students.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Robles
Lacrosse Curriculum
Funded Nov 1, 2017My students were SO excited to see the boxes on Monday morning returning from Thanksgiving break. They walked in and asked all kinds of questions. They wanted to know if I was packing, if I was was doing a project that involved cardboard boxes, or if I had a surprise for them. I said it was definitely a surprise! My students asked if they could open the mountain of boxes. I said that they had to wait until after school. All day, the suspense was nearly palpable! By the time the bell rang to end school, they had run out of patience. I said to go ahead and they ripped open all the boxes. When the saw the lacrosse equipment, they were thrilled. They wanted to try everything out immediately and I let them. If you look at the pictures that I have posted, they show the students opening all the boxes and playing with the equipment( it even shows them playing with the packaging). My students enjoyed opening all the boxes but I think that they liked the bubble wrap the most. Kids!
The unit on Lacrosse will begin when the rain has stopped. But I think my students may be willing to play in the rain if they are allowed to use the materials again. Thank you for providing my students with all the joy that learning something new can bring!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Robles
Student-Directed Learning
Funded Aug 25, 2017The books that you have provided have made an amazing impact in my classroom. As a class, we read Iqbal. It is a novel based on the true story of Iqbal Masih, a boy who escaped his enslavers and worked to free other child slaves in Pakistan until he was assassinated at the age of 13. Iqbal is the same age as my students. He gave his life for a cause that he felt strongly about. As we read his story as a class, my students discussed causes that they felt strongly enough about to spend their lives working for. They talked about ending world hunger, saving animals from abusive situations, and bringing education to every child in the world. The impact of reading this novel has inspired my students to dream bigger, to try harder, and to work with a purpose.
After reading the novel, my students had to pick a self-directed project to spend their semester working on. My students have chosen to create websites to provide education. They had decided to learn about bird habitats so that they can build some for our local bird populations. One student has even decided to plant a school garden in order to provide the students and staff with a better quality of food. My students used Iqbal's story to help find what they are passionate about and how to work towards their goals.
I cannot wait to see what they are able to accomplish with their new found drive.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Robles
This classroom project was brought to life by An Anonymous Funder and 3 other donors.Living a Thousand Lives Through Books
Funded Feb 20, 2017The materials that you have donated are here! The students were very excited to open the boxes of new books. Each book was a new treasure added to their lives. They asked to check out the new books as soon as they were opened. But I explained that they needed to be added to the class library first. I promised that they would be done by the end of the day and so I rushed to record each book on the class inventory list, and add the library pocket and card to the inside cover. By the end of the day, I was mostly done and my students rushed to check out the new books.
My students are thrilled by reading. There are students that have checked out quite a few books already and one boy that has taken a new book home every two days. He has read all of the graphic novels that I ordered and has asked if I will be receiving anymore. It looks like I will need to post a new project soon to keep up with his desire to read.
I can't express how much you have impacted my students in just two weeks time. They are newly engaged in reading and are devouring these texts. The books are sparking questions and discussion that inspire me as their teacher. We are truly grateful for the generosity you have shown us.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Robles
This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 5 other donors.Making Math Magic!
Funded Oct 17, 2016My students were so excited to see the supplies that you donated to our class. They spent the first day just exploring the new materials. They especially liked the Math Scholastic magazines. They are always asking when the next issue will arrive. These materials have already made a world of difference in my class. My students are engaged in learning and focused on understanding the curriculum. I haven't seen this type of energy or enthusiasm all year!
Currently, the students are working on solving expressions involving fractions and decimals. These problems are complex and require using multiple steps in finding the solutions. Currently, the problems can take upwards of fifteen minutes to solve. They are enjoying using the calculators to check their work because it is very time consuming. My students have also enjoyed using the graph paper to draw out their answers in visible displays.
Next, my students and I will bring in the algebraic tiles to work on solving expressions that involve variables. I have showed the materials to them and they are excited for what will come next. I CAN NOT THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR THE DIFFERENCE YOU HAVE MADE IN THE LIVES OF MY STUDENTS!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Robles
STEM Centers
Funded Nov 20, 2015They students were so excited to use the new materials in the classroom. The projects we have been able to complete because of the increased organization is truly astounding. Clean up and time management have improved greatly because of the timer and bins that you purchased for us. The real benefit to the students as far as learning and understanding is from the pocket charts. These charts provide sentence frames and key vocabulary which improves students' ability to complete their work. They are extremely grateful for all that you have done and continue to do for them.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Robles