Past projects 3
Great Lakes, Great Books, Great Students!!
Funded Sep 2, 2022Thank you so much for donating to my Great Lakes Great Books Project this year. My students were so excited to listen to all of the nominees and eagerly anticipated finding out the winner each week. As students would come into my library, I would get the question from several - "Which book won last week?" When they find out the winner each week, the cheers can be deafening. It's amazing to me that they are so invested in this. It's pretty magical.
The students clamor to read the books that are presented with waitlists for the most popular. These books appeal to all of our readers, but they're especially valuable to our struggling readers that can check the book/s out, armed with a background knowledge of what it is about because we've already read it. It's a great way for those readers to feel confident while they re-read the stories.
We're still in the midst of our semi-finals and final vote for Ann Arbor (the State of Michigan vote already sent in due to deadlines). This is my third year doing this project and it never gets old. I think I enjoy it as much as the students do.”
With gratitude,
Ms. B.
Voting For Books! The Great Lakes Great Books Awards
Funded Sep 14, 2021I cannot express how much I appreciate having been able to share the Great Lakes Great Books with my students due to your generous donation to my project!
From October through December, my students were introduced to beautifully written and illustrated books. Students were able to choose their favorite books by carefully evaluating each book and considering what makes one book better than another.
The discussions we had after each round and winner revealed were amazing. My students put a lot of thought into their votes, and even if their particular choice didn't always win, they were able to clearly articulate why one book may have won over another. Their ability to constructively critique the selections became stronger each week and, I believe, they became more appreciative of what makes good literature and art.
Every week, the first question asked when we started a class would be "Which book won last week?" I think we were all sad when we had our final week and championship round in December. I know we are all looking forward to doing it again next fall.”
With gratitude,
Ms. B.
Stellar Student Seating
Funded Aug 10, 2018Our new library carpet made such an impact on our students and families. It arrived a few days before the first day of school, and the excitement it generated the first week of school as students and families came into the library was great.
The rug has also enabled my youngest students to better remember their special spots on the library rug as they can recall a letter or picture they are assigned to sit on. Classroom management has been much smoother utilizing the squares for individual spots and has ensured that students understand they have their own personal space on the rug and they have been respectful of this concept and owning their own personal space respectfully and responsibly.
It is wonderful having a clean, spacious area for our students to gather for story time, quiet reading time, and centers. They feel comfortable and relaxed on the new rug and have commented on how it is a perfect fit for the library.
Thank you so much. I am so grateful for your generosity and kindness!”
With gratitude,
Ms. B.