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Mr. Dunn's Classroom

  • Luis Munoz Marin Elementary School
  • Bridgeport, CT
  • More than three‑quarters of students from low‑income households Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more

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show projects from all time

Past projects 4

  • Flexible Seating and Conferencing Options

    Funded Feb 22, 2021

    I am so glad to see this project get funded. As I look forward to my students returning full-time to my classroom I am excited to see their faces as we can expand in flexible seating. I have no doubt they will appreciate the choices that you have helped provide them on a daily basis. Please accept my deepest gratitude on behalf of my current and future students.”

    With gratitude,

    Mr. Dunn

  • Engaging Classroom Library With Graphic Novels!

    Funded Feb 21, 2021

    Thank you so much for supporting this project and believing in my students. Times are tough right now, but I am hopeful that when my students return to the classroom they will find these new books waiting for them and their desire to read will be as strong as ever. Your gracious gifts are very appreciated by me, my current students and future students!”

    With gratitude,

    Mr. Dunn

  • Chromebooks To Support Curriculum!

    Funded Mar 15, 2018

    Thank you all so much for your continued support of my classroom and students! I have no doubt that they will appreciate the access to this technology that you've provided us. As an added bonus you've all helped another classroom in my school as we've now freed up an additional Chromebook cart for their use instead of it having to stay in my room! Thanks again for helping my students access our curriculum and helping them stay technologically adept in these ever changing times!”

    With gratitude,

    Mr. Dunn

  • "Check Mate" On Our Strategy & Critical Thinking Skills

    Funded Oct 4, 2016

    Thank you very much for your generous donations, my students have been using the chess boards for almost two months now. Typically we utilize them at the end of the school day for about thirty minutes. Structure and consistency are such a huge part of what helps middle school students learn basic study and problem solving techniques. The end of day at Marin is not always the most relaxing and quiet time of the day, but I have found my students to be very calm and quiet as they attempt to solve the puzzles created on the chess boards as they play. I didn't expect the game to have such an immediate impact, now my students ask for chess. If there is some downtime, or if they finish their assignments early, they request the game.

    They were a little confused the first time we shared the chess boards and timers, but they have adapted quickly and are really starting to understand the rules and etiquette of the game. There is no doubt in my mind that they appreciate the gift you have provided them, as they are often quietly laughing and I know they are learning. Their questions while playing are accurate and concise, the sign of true learning. Because of the success of our time during class playing chess I have had multiple students ask if we would start a chess club. While that had always been part of my plan, I didn't expect them to be so excited about the possibility.

    As we continue to learn the game and how the pieces move and relate to each other I can see my students becoming more focused, I plan to continue to teach the game everyday to my students. In the next few months we will begin the addition of our chess club. I know other schools in the district already have chess clubs, so we will begin exploring some district based tournaments. All of these possibilities are made possible by your donation. So on behalf of my students you have our deepest gratitude, thank you very much for your donations!”

    With gratitude,

    Mr. Dunn

Boards, pieces, and the desire to play. That's all that is really required to play a game of chess. This is the first year at my school that we've ever had a chess club. At the beginning of the new school year, my colleagues and I began to discuss ways to help our students, 7th & 8th graders, strengthen their critical thinking and strategy skills. Chess became the answer! Chess provides an exceptional opportunity for students to practice problem solving, strategizing, and improvisation skills. I have found that some of the students who want to play chess and want to learn about the strategies involved in chess are also students who struggle with math and hate reading. Some of these students who are unable to visualize a problem are able to anticipate an opponents strategy and plan out their next four moves when looking at a chess board. Statistics have proven that: the game of chess helps young people learn to concentrate, think logically, overcome obstacles, spot patterns and categorize information. It helps with the development of problem-solving skills, planning, patience, focus of thought and self-discipline. Chess is a competitive activity, but, good sportsmanship and fair play are taught as essential elements of the game. It is a one-against-one activity, however, teamwork is also an important element. This element comes into play when Club members must practice and work on problems together. Everyone has a chance to contribute to the team in tournament play as chess clubs may enter as many players as they wish and various skill-levels or age-based sections are generally available." With these new chess boards, students will not only able to play, they will be excited and proud to make the first move!

About my class

Boards, pieces, and the desire to play. That's all that is really required to play a game of chess. This is the first year at my school that we've ever had a chess club. At the beginning of the new school year, my colleagues and I began to discuss ways to help our students, 7th & 8th graders, strengthen their critical thinking and strategy skills. Chess became the answer! Chess provides an exceptional opportunity for students to practice problem solving, strategizing, and improvisation skills. I have found that some of the students who want to play chess and want to learn about the strategies involved in chess are also students who struggle with math and hate reading. Some of these students who are unable to visualize a problem are able to anticipate an opponents strategy and plan out their next four moves when looking at a chess board. Statistics have proven that: the game of chess helps young people learn to concentrate, think logically, overcome obstacles, spot patterns and categorize information. It helps with the development of problem-solving skills, planning, patience, focus of thought and self-discipline. Chess is a competitive activity, but, good sportsmanship and fair play are taught as essential elements of the game. It is a one-against-one activity, however, teamwork is also an important element. This element comes into play when Club members must practice and work on problems together. Everyone has a chance to contribute to the team in tournament play as chess clubs may enter as many players as they wish and various skill-levels or age-based sections are generally available." With these new chess boards, students will not only able to play, they will be excited and proud to make the first move!

About my class

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