Past projects 44
The Writing's on the Wall!
Funded May 9, 2023A palette of possibilities – that's what you've gifted us with!
The day the black chalk paint and markers arrived, the atmosphere in our classroom was electric. The students' faces lit up with excitement, their minds racing with creative ideas. One student whispered, "Our classroom is going to be the coolest!" And she wasn't wrong.
Our first project with the new resources? An "About Me" wall where each student painted a section dedicated to their dreams, hobbies, and aspirations. As the walls came alive with their drawings and words, it became evident that this wasn't just about beautifying a room – it was about carving out a space for each student's identity.
Their reactions? Beyond joyous. The thrill of turning a bland wall into a canvas of creativity, where their thoughts, ideas, and dreams took center stage, was simply magical. Many couldn't believe they had the freedom to "doodle on the walls" and it was heartwarming to see even the shyest of students take pride in their corner of the room.
Our next steps involve integrating this creative space into our curriculum. We're planning a 'Historical Figures' project where students will chalk up mini-biographies and illustrations of personalities they admire. This visual timeline will not only enhance learning but also serve as a daily reminder of the giants on whose shoulders we stand.
In essence, this isn't just about a classroom transformation. It's about empowering students to take ownership of their environment, fostering a sense of belonging, and lighting the flame of creativity. Every time they glance at those walls, they see a reflection of themselves and their peers, and they are reminded that this is their space, their sanctuary of learning.
From the bottom of our chalk-covered hearts, thank you. Your generosity has sketched joy into our daily lives and painted a brighter, more personalized future for every student.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Salguero
This classroom project was brought to life by SONIC Foundation and 8 other donors.Tuning Up Our Music Classroom
Funded Feb 8, 2023When it comes to music, every note, every pause, and certainly, every sound in the room matters. Your incredible donation has not just added tools to our classroom; it's transformed the very ambiance, elevating the room into a haven for budding musicians.
The acoustic foam panels you've funded? Oh, the difference they've made! Before, the classroom was filled with extraneous noises, echoes, and distractions. Now, each strum, beat, and note is as clear and crisp as it's meant to be. The room's acoustics are no longer just a backdrop, but a co-conspirator in our musical journey. It feels like we've been transported from a basic rehearsal room to a professional studio.
The guitar wall mounts have added an organized charm. Our guitars now hang proudly, not just as instruments but as pieces of art, easily accessible and ever-inspiring. And those wall collages? They're not merely decorative. They're conversation starters, inspirations, and visual histories of the diverse world of music.
While many of our donors might be more accustomed to technology in their homes, imagine the classroom as a live music app. The acoustic foam is our equalizer, ensuring sound quality. The wall mounts are our user-friendly interface, and the collages act as our playlist, guiding students through genres and eras.
A few of our students, especially those who had initially struggled with focus, have commented on the newfound clarity and how it's deepened their connection with music. One student, Jamie, who often found herself lost amid the echoes, now feels she's "truly hearing music for the first time."
In essence, this isn't just about materials. It's about crafting an environment where music isn't just taught, but felt and lived. Your contributions have made that possible, and for that, our gratitude knows no bounds.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Salguero
This classroom project was brought to life by Black History Month Partners and 11 other donors.Strumming and Picking Our Way to Learn!
Funded Feb 22, 2023Oh, the sweet sound of gratitude! 🎵
Your generosity struck a chord (literally) in our music classroom. When the new guitar strings and picks arrived, the excitement was palpable. Imagine a room full of budding musicians, holding their instruments a bit closer, their faces lit up, eager to string their guitars and strum away. That was the scene you orchestrated.
The impact of your donation is twofold:
Skill Development: With fresh strings and reliable picks, our students can now delve deeper into advanced techniques. The clarity and tonality of new strings allow them to explore nuances in sound that were previously elusive. Your support has essentially fine-tuned their learning experience.
Rekindled Passion: As educators, we often talk about tools and resources. But what these strings and picks truly represent is belief. They're a tangible sign that there are people, like you, who believe in our students' potential and musical dreams.
Reading might transport us to different worlds, but music? It expresses the inexpressible. Though many of our supporters are more versed in the realm of books, know that the magic of music is akin to the thrill of a gripping novel. And just as a reader is lost without their next chapter, a guitarist is adrift without the right tools.
Thanks to you, our young musicians are not just playing; they're thriving, composing, and dreaming in melodies. And while I can't put this entire symphony of gratitude into words, know that every note played is a testament to your kindness.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Salguero
Nourishing the Future: Supporting Hungry Students in the Classroom
Funded Mar 1, 2023You won't believe the faces in my classroom when your generosity arrived in snack form! Think kids on Christmas morning but with way more "Is that for us?!" and "No way, Welch's too?!".
Thanks to you, we've turned those mid-lesson stomach growls into snack-powered focus. One student even claimed the snacks were magic – every time he had one, his brain suddenly "worked better". Coincidence? I think not!
We're diving into a big project soon, and now, armed with snack-armor, I'm sure my students will conquer it. Or at the very least, they'll be the most energized thinkers in town.
In a nutshell (pun intended), you've given more than snacks. You've fueled dreams, one bite at a time. Thanks for keeping our brains – and bellies – full!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Salguero
This classroom project was brought to life by Black History Month Partners and 10 other donors.Help Us Amplify Our Learning
Funded Jan 16, 2023We cannot find the words to express the depth of our gratitude for your incredible support and generosity. Thanks to your contribution to our Donors Choose project, our students have been given a priceless gift of creativity and learning.
The arrival of the Orba 2 Synthesizer, GTD Audio Wireless Microphone System, Madisi Pencils, and Amazon Basics Batteries has transformed our classroom into a hub of inspiration and discovery. The moment our students saw these resources, their faces lit up with excitement and curiosity. They wasted no time in exploring the world of music, experimenting with sounds, and collaborating on captivating performances.
Your donation has created a ripple effect that will continue to impact our students' education. With the Madisi pencils, they are embracing the joy of writing and drawing, while the Orba 2 Synthesizer and wireless microphone system have unlocked their creativity and passion for music. These tools will be instrumental in future projects as our students embark on composing their own musical pieces, fostering collaboration and critical thinking.
From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for believing in our students and supporting their educational journey. Your generosity has made a lasting difference in their lives, igniting a love for learning and self-expression. We are forever grateful for your kindness.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Salguero
This classroom project was brought to life by A New York City Parent and one other donor.Light Up Our Life and Help Us Decorate Our Room.
Funded Nov 28, 2022We are so grateful for your support in our project to brighten up our music class and provide our students with the tools they need to be successful. With the automatic tuner, my students are now able to tune their guitars by themselves, which has empowered them to take ownership of their learning and improve their musical skills.
The music album covers on the walls have also been a great source of inspiration for my students. They were overjoyed when they saw their favorite artist's covers displayed in the classroom and it has sparked many interesting discussions and class projects centered around the music and visual art.
Furthermore, having ample supplies of pencils has made a huge difference in the classroom. My students no longer have to worry about not having the tools they need to complete their assignments, and they can focus on their learning without distractions.
Once again, thank you for your generosity and support. Your contributions have truly made a positive impact on my students and our music class.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Salguero
This classroom project was brought to life by The Walt Disney Company and 2 other donors.Self Care...More Like Self Clean!
Funded Dec 1, 2021I am filled with so much gratitude! It has been a few months now and this project was a huge game-changer for us. The students wanted to give it a name so we call it "DJ Roomba" just like in the T.V. Show "Parks and Rec." We set the vacuum up to clean every single night once everyone has gone home. It is so great cause we know that our room is taken care of and clean. The custodial staff really love this project because our classroom is among the cleanest in the building. I want to teach the students that you should always leave things nicer than you found it. Thank you again but most of all thank you for supporting education!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Salguero
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 3 other donors.Snapshot for Our Future
Funded Dec 1, 2021I want to personally thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping us fund this project. We are building our music program and this project has helped us document some of the many amazing projects that we have already completed. for example one of the projects we were able to document was the painting of the outside of the school. It was so great having our students able to document the process and take ownership of the project. This is something that will benefit our students for many years to come. Thank you again.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Salguero
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 4 other donors.T-shirts for Terrific Students
Funded Dec 1, 2020I would like to first start by saying thank you for helping me fund this project. This year has been really difficult and it has been really hard to keep the students engaged for the whole year.
Something that has helped is this project.
When I first initially wrote this project I thought the t-shirts would be it... boy was I wrong. I've been able to make so many things using this machine and it has been great and the students love it.
I would like to thank you so much for your generosity and I am so incredibly thankful of your support.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Salguero
This classroom project was brought to life by FamilyAlbum and 2 other donors.Full Stream Ahead
Funded Dec 1, 2020Teaching over zoom has not been easy. One of the things that has made this year an absolute joy for me was the loupedeck. This project was an absolute game changer.
The loupedeck is a device that you can program buttons to do certain things and I was able to utilize it to make my lessons fun and entertaining. I programed certain sound effects and of course a laugh track just in case no one laughed at my jokes!
Another benefit of this project has been being able to manage zoom teaching so much easier. I have a button that will mute all participants, and even a button that shares the screen.
This project made me much more effective as a zoom teacher and I appreciate it. Your kindness and generosity are inspiring. Thank you!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Salguero
This classroom project was brought to life by FamilyAlbum and 5 other donors.