Past projects 228
Theraputty, Fidget Toys, and Koosh Balls Oh My!
Funded Apr 11, 2016Thank you to all the fabulous donors for supporting our class. My students enjoy using the new resources. They have been busy using the fidget toys, when they need a brain break. My students ask for a two-minute break to use the fidget container. I place a timer and they begin using the fidget toys and when the timer goes off they put them away. My students have also been busy observing several of O'Keeffe's flower paintings. They had an opportunity to create their own surrealistic drawings by looking at flower paintings, then tracing and coloring in large scale flowers in the style of O'Keeffe by using the trace light boxes.
My students were excited when they first saw the materials. They were besides themselves when they opened the fidget box. They asked to use them right away. I reviewed the rules and they began to use them appropriately. I also noticed that after they used the fidget toys it helped my students remain focus.
I am planning to continue using the fidget toys and timers to help my students focus. I am also planning to use the light boxes in other subject areas. We are currently learning about money and we were thinking that during centers, asking my students to trace pictures of coins. My students will pay attention to detail and this will help them learn to identify the coins.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Hernandez
This classroom project was brought to life by an anonymous donor and 5 other donors.Meet The Malala's Of The Future
Funded Mar 3, 2016My students are using the Sphero and Ozobots to learn how to code. The Ozobots are the perfect robots to use for beginners because my students are able to quickly learn sequential thinking, logical reasoning, and coding concepts. My students are also able to control the Sphero robots by using the tablet. They command where Sphero goes and what it says. They have also made holographic messages. The books have helped my students understand who Malala is. They asked a lot of questions and we were able to do some research online. It is nice to see my students intrigued and inspired by Malala.
My students were eager to open the boxes and their reaction when they first saw the materials was simply PRICELESS. They were oohing and awing and asked if they could use them. I asked them to finish their writing assignment first, then we discussed Malala for a couple of days. Finally, they got an opportunity to play with the robots.
My goal is to continue to inspire more females to code. Next school year, I would like to start a robotics club or computer programming club.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Hernandez
This classroom project was brought to life by Students Stand #withMalala screening program and one other donor.Osmo is Awesome-O
Funded Mar 9, 2016My students have been busy using the Osmo gaming systems. They enjoy using the Tangram game, which is a great way to exercise spatial and visual problem-solving skills. My students create different objects and they are provided immediate feedback.
My students were ecstatic when they first saw the box. I asked them to open the box and they immediately asked me if they could play with the games. I quickly downloaded all five Osmo apps and my students immediately began using the games.
The next steps are to continue using these games during centers. I am planning to continue using the Osmo Numbers during math centers and the Words game during reading centers. Thank you for providing us with this wonderful opportunity.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Hernandez
Counting Collections? No Way! I Say Count Away!
Funded Dec 14, 2015My students have been busy using the counting collections. The assortment of beads, bean counters, counting bears, cubes, and stickers are use to help students develop one-to-one correspondence. Each student is given a specific amount of objects to count. Then my students group the objects by 2s, 5s, and 10s. The counting collections has helped my students count, add, subtract, and multiply.
My students reaction when they first saw the materials was giving me a huge smile. They liked the variety of items that were included in the box.
The next steps I am planning for your students is to continue to reinforce their number sense. My students work at their own level and when they are ready to move to the next level our counting collections will be there to help. Thank you so much for your support!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Hernandez
This classroom project was brought to life by Google.org and 2 other donors.It's All About The Basics!
Funded Nov 4, 2015It has been four months since we opened our student store. Our student store has worked wonders in helping develop my students financial literacy skills. They have learned to count money and how to save money. We have been busy using the write and wipe boards along with the write and wipe erasers to work out math money problems. Each student was given a whiteboard and a marker, then they were asked to add two items that they would buy at the store. At times I would ask them to check their work and if they noticed a mistake, then they would erase it and begin solving it again. They have also used the boards to add up money. This has become a good way to check for understanding. If a student does not understand what they need to do, then I go back and reteach the skill to them.
My students get super excited each time they see boxes arrive in my room. They know that these items will help their learning and they never know what I will think of next.
I would like to continue using the student store to help enhance my students financial literacy skills. The goal will be for them to come up with their own business ideas and I will loan them money to start up their business. Who knows they might lose or make money, but either way they will learn from these experiences.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Hernandez
This classroom project was brought to life by SONIC Drive-In and 35 other donors.Erasers + Rulers + Pens + Highlighters = Ready to Learn
Funded Sep 16, 2015Thank you to all the awesome donors that made this project possible because we are now equipped with all the tools we need for this school year to be a success. Each table has a pencil case which includes, a set of highlighters, pens, a ruler, and erasers. Each pencil case remains on the center of each table and its always ready to be use when students work on their class work.
My students were thrilled when they first saw the boxes. They immediately opened them and started organizing all the materials. They knew that these items would make a world of a difference in helping keep us organize.
The next steps for my students is to continue using these resources during centers. My students now have the resources they need at their disposal. They do not waste time looking for a pen or an eraser. I feel that organizing these materials has cut down on instructional time being lost looking for a ruler or pencil. Thanks you for all of your support!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Hernandez
This classroom project was brought to life by Quill.com FY15 and 4 other donors.How to Save, Invest, Borrow, & Spend Your Hard-Earned Money
Funded Sep 6, 2015My students have been having a blast using the new resources. They have been busy saving their money and spending it on fruit snacks, juice, Ritz Bits Sandwiches with Cheese snacks, a variety of Sunchips, and school supplies. My students earn money by completing their classwork and on Friday's they have an opportunity to go shopping. Some of my students have learned to save their money in order to purchase more expensive items and they are able to relate these experiences to their everyday life.
My students were excited when we first introduce the student store. We discussed how they would earn money and when they could go shopping. We also showed them the various items they could buy.
The next steps for my students will be to continue the student store. It has been a huge success in helping my students develop their financial literacy skills. I plan to write another grant to add more school supplies such as paper, pencils, and erasers.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Hernandez
This classroom project was brought to life by Experian and 23 other donors.We Have Problems, Please Help Us Solve Them!
Funded Aug 2, 2015Wow! I look at this grand list of donors and I am still in awe on the generosity of so many donors. Thank you for helping us obtain these books. I have introduced several math skills using these new books include adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing, fractions, patterns, and symmetry. The first time I read the book, the students listen and look at the illustrations. The second time I read the book, the students begin to look at the illustrations and think of how it relates to math. Such as, how many items can they find around the page that are a specific group, are we able to see a pattern, or what illustrations show symmetry.
I like to read a math book once every other week in my classroom. Each book introduces a new math concept such as patterns, items in our every day life that come in groups, or weight. After we have read and the discuss the book several times, my students will complete an art activity that is related to the concept such as making patterns, symmetry, or making groups of 5s or 10s.
My students are truly enjoying the new math books. It helps them think of math in a new way. They are learning that math is everywhere. We start looking at the amount of markers we have in a box, how many steps we take to get back to class, how many leaves we saw on the ground, I will use Growing Patterns book to help them see nature through new eyes, in flowers, cones, patterns in leaves or clothing. We are learning that we can see math everywhere.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Hernandez
Finding a Solution for Pollution
Funded May 29, 2015Thank you to all the donors for making this project possible. My students and have been busy reading several books. The vocabulary readers are great because they have such vivid pictures and it explains the vocabulary in a way that my students are able to understand. The Protect Our Planet series is a nice addition to our library. Students have read about global warming, disappearing wildlife, disappearing forests, and polluted air. My students have also enjoyed reading the How Does my Home Work book series. They learned about water, heating, electricity, garbage and recycling. Having a variety of informational books truly helps my students increase their comprehension skills.
My students were so happy to see boxes arriving during the beginning of the school year. It felt like Christmas in September. We opened the boxes and started to organize them around our room. It was nice having my students help organize all these goodies.
Within the next couple of months my students will find out the effects of pollution on plant growth by planting their own plants. Throughout this process my students will draw their observations and conclusions on their very own book. They will be given a chance to evaluate, then draw and/or label the stages of the life cycle of a plant.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Hernandez
This classroom project was brought to life by Paul G. Allen Family Foundation and 3 other donors.Privacy Shields, Post-its, and Highlighter Tape Oh My!
Funded Dec 23, 2015My students began using the new resources immediately. I have been in desperate need of more privacy shields for my students. They need them during tests to focus and complete their tests. The privacy shields block any distracting view around my room and helps my students remain on task.
We LOVE using the Post-its to write down the main idea of the text and supporting details. The highlighter tape has been used to highlight specific vowels and vowel patterns to help my students read unfamiliar words.
My students got so excited when the new boxes were delivered to my room. They quickly opened the boxes and organized them around my room.
In the near future, I would like to continue using Post-its to help my students organize and sequence their writing ideas. This will ensure that they remain on topic and will help them write short paragraphs. Thank you so much for providing us with this wonderful opportunity.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Hernandez
This classroom project was brought to life by Quill and 10 other donors.