Past projects 4
Comfortable Cool Down
Funded Sep 17, 2022Thank you so much for helping with my classroom's comfortable cool down area. It is very easy to become overwhelmed in school. I wanted to make sure that my students knew that any feelings that they had, it being overwhelmed, upset, angry, or frustrated, that they were allowed to feel those feelings. We just needed to accept help sometimes to help us navigate those strong emotions.The comfortable cool down area does just that. It gives the students space that they may need to think, reflect, refocus, and breathe. Thank you again:)”
With gratitude,
Ms. Melnick
Meaningful Mornings
Funded Sep 1, 2022The students love the table buckets! They were so excited to even just see the pieces inside each container! They didn't even know how they were going to use them, but they were eager to learn and collaborate!
In the beginning, I introduced each bucket slowly. I didn't tell them how to use it, except to collaborate and work with their table. Right away, the conversations started and their faces started to glow. They were speaking to each other in a way that I hadn't yet heard in this classroom. There was intent, focus, and a real zone of problem solving that you could clearly see in each group. Some groups used the direction booklets that came with the tools for ideas, and some did not.
It has been amazing to here them create and work with their peers in such an exciting way. They could use their buckets all day if they could:) Thank you!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Melnick
Aiming for Calm Transitions
Funded Sep 16, 2020When my students got their 'mindful bag' of goodies, they were so excited! It had been an interesting first few days of school. They were broken up into small class sizes, coming to school on different days, and having a totally different routine than what they once knew. The first few days of school were very strange and very quiet.
I noticed that the students were not into sharing out loud. They were not that talkative. Maybe it was nerves, maybe it was being with new friends. Maybe it was being at a table by themselves, far away from each other, or maybe it was because of their mask.
As soon as I gave them their bag of mindful tools, I started to hear noises! They were showing each other what they made with their silly putty, they were comparing the colors of their water timer, they were interacting with each other. I think these tools put their nerves at ease, and made them feel a little bit more comfortable. They kept these amazing tools, that they got with your help, in their desk. They could take them out whenever they needed to. Thank you so much for helping to put a smile on their face.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Melnick
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose 20th Anniversary Fund and 9 other donors.Radio City, Here We Come!
Funded Sep 24, 2014To start, I need to thank you again for your amazing donations for our Radio City Music Hall Trip. My students could not stop talking about it from the moment I told them we were going, till even after the trip was finished! I am sure they are still talking and dreaming about it now. It was such an amazing, hands on learning experience for them. It was one they will never forget. I am sure that this trip will influence their studies and creativity for the rest of their lives.
The trip had an amazing beginning, from the sites they saw on the bus ride into Manhattan, till everything that was including on their Radio City Music Hall Tour. They each received their own ticket stub and tour pass lanyard that they could keep. Our tour guide Ms. T was very patient, being that my students had questions about everything! I have never seen them so engaged, and so curious about all that was in front of them. We had an amazing view of the stage from orchestra seats, as well as the last row on the 3rd floor mezzanine. We saw a brief video on the history of Radio City, and then finally got to meet and speak to a Rockette!
I think this field trip has boosted my students learning in many different ways. First, they now know what it takes on stage and off stage to put on a successful performance. They were able to see that by watching the stage hands work on stage, and by talking to an actual performer about how they perform. They asked so many amazing questions like, how do you still perform if you are in a bad mood? Is it better to work on a large stage or a small stage? This first hand experience will make them work harder in their own performance, as well as be more creative in the classroom.
Thank you again for what you have given my students. I will remember their faces and reactions forever. I know they will remember every piece of this trip as well.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Melnick
This classroom project was brought to life by an anonymous donor and 6 other donors.