Ms. Jackson's Classroom Edit display name

Past projects 22

• Accepting Everyone For Who They Are

  Funded Nov 2, 2012

  Thank you so much for supporting my project! As soon as the books came in the students wanted to borrow them. By the time the day was over, about 30 students had signed copies out to read independently knowing we will be reading Keeping You A Secret as a whole class. These copies will be used for four classes this year and for many more to come as the years progress.

  As stated in my project, my goal is to create a curriculum that is completely inclusive of everyone and I have become one step closer because of you! Yesterday I had two students return the book because they had finished them, and one student went out and got another book by the same author. Your assistance in helping me find high interest LGBTQ books has made it possible for me to reach that many more students.

  I cannot express my gratitude enough and how much it means to be able to bring the love and joy of reading to all of students; this could not be accomplished without your help.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Jackson

  This classroom project was brought to life by NEA Foundation and 7 other donors.

• Literature to Life: Connecting to Go Ask Alice

  Funded Jan 27, 2011

  I cannot express what an impact you have had on my students due to your generous contribution of Go Ask Alice. My students immediately picked up on the book and I was able to delve into teaching characterization, conflict, inferencing and drawing conclusions, and analysis of character development. Since I only have one class set and I have 5 freshman classes I am not able to lend out any of the books to students who want to read ahead (yes, students actually want to take the book home and read ahead!), so some of them have went out and purchased their own copies! A number of those students read the entire book in one weekend and came in asking questions! The fact that students who are reluctant readers, and some have bragged about not having a library card or never being in a bookstore, would go out and not only buy the book but read the whole thing in one weekend is a testimony to what can happen when students are introduced to high interest literature that also prepares them for the state exams. I am also working with their writing teacher and she did a background lesson about the 1960's to help the students better prepare for the novel, and they will be writing an essay when we finish the novel. I will be incorporating a choice board activity once we get to page 86, and students will either create a character collage, timeline, graphic novel, draw a detailed scene, or analyze 4 diary entries to analyze the character and how she has changed over time. The students are highly engaged in the reading and come to class asking if we are going to read, and when I'm done reading for the day want to continue and I have to tell them no because I need them to write a response. You have not only had a positive impact on my students reading but on my classroom management because so many students want to read the book that they pressure those who would be disruptive to be quiet and read as well. Thank you again for this donation and all you have done for my students.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Jackson

  This classroom project was brought to life by American Express Members Project and one other donor.

• Choices/Decisions/Consequences

  Funded Apr 6, 2010

  Thank you so much for the class set of Bodega Dreams. As a Spanish Harlem version of The Great Gatsby, the students will be able to make literary connections for the next two years and better prepare for the regent exam. You have given the students an opportunity to bring literature to life and to reinforce the idea of choices/decisions/consequences aspect of not just the novel but life. We particularly focused on the part when Bodega says "Yo Chino, smoke with me." We discussed the options he had (smoke/not smoke), the decision Chino makes (to smoke), and the consequences of his actions- especially with his wife Blanca. We connected this to the options they are faced with everyday in school- go to class or cut, go to the bathroom or curse out a teacher, fight or walk away, pass or fail, the decisions they make the minute they walk out of their house up to the end of the school day.

  You have enabled me to continue my message of not just responsibility but to become more conscious of the decisions we make every day of our lives.

  Sincerely,

  Ms. J ”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Jackson

  This classroom project was brought to life by WordPress and Friends and 24 other donors.

• Enhance The Classroom

  Funded Apr 9, 2009

  Thank you so much for your donation, you have enabled my students to continue to develop their public speaking, creativity, and analyzation skills, among many others. For my freshman we finished reading The Outsiders and the students reviewed for their final test by working in groups analyzing a specific chapter and presenting their findings to the class, as well as create a gallery walk for the students to complete independently. For my juniors, we began reading The Call of the Wild, and in preparation they researched a number of topics online and created a presentation for the class in order to better understand the setting, plot, and theme. Topics included: Alaska, Jack London, and Wolf and Dog: pack mentality.

  The five section organizer has allowed me to divide my work by class and make work for the students more accessible since I no longer have to look through drawers or bookshelves where I have previously stored my items. This has made getting to and collecting work much easier since students now have one place to fulfill their needs.

  As we finish with both novels and move onto the next, you can rest assure that your donation will not go to waste. Students will use the items to prepare for the next reading as anticipation work, and to complete projects during the Spring 2010 semester. At that point in time I hope to get at least a class set of working laptops for internet research, and four class sets of the books I need for my freshman- Bodega Dreams by Ernesto Quinonez, and Go Ask Alice by Anonymous. thank you again for all you have provided.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Jackson

  This classroom project was brought to life by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and one other donor.