Mrs. Anderson's Classroom Edit display name

Past projects 4

• Active Body and Brain

  Funded Dec 16, 2021

  Thank you very much for the wonderful wobble stools for our class! The students were so excited to see all the boxes stacked in our classroom when they walked in. We worked together to open the boxes (and there were a lot of them) and put the stools together so we could use them right away.

  The smiles they had on their faces and excited voices I heard as we placed them at the desks were priceless. After reviewing the expectations of using the stools, we got right to work on a lesson.

  Being able to move while seated allows them to stay engaged longer while working. If a student doesn't want the stool to wobble, they just flip the stool over. Giving students a choice of using the workspace that is a "good fit" for them makes all the difference in their engagement and productivity. Thank you for helping my current students (and students for many years to come) have an active body and brain.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Anderson

• Teachers are Learners, Too!

  Funded Nov 12, 2019

  Thank you very much for funding my attendance to the Virtual Teach Your Heart Out Conference. There were so many great presentations by amazing teachers.

  The variety of topics allowed me to choose the ones that would best fit my needs for my students and teaching virtually.

  Since we started our school year online (remote) with our students, I was able to use the strategies shared at the conference right away. Many of the presenters emphasized social-emotional well being and strategies to keep students engaged and connected. I learned how to use new digital tools to keep students actively engaged during my lessons.

  I truly appreciate your support of teachers.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Anderson

  This classroom project was brought to life by Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and one other donor.

• Think it - Build it - Explain it!

  Funded Dec 12, 2019

  Thank you very much for your generous donation of the math racks, Rekenreks. The students were so excited when the two large boxes arrived at our classroom. They could not wait to find out what was inside. Once we opened the boxes, there was a lot of excitement and questions about what they were and how to use them. They even loved learning how to pronounce Rekenrek.

  Students were given some time to explore the tool and make guesses about how they would be used. They guessed right...math! We started right away counting the beads, creating math stories, and using the math rack to solve the math story.

  As the students are building the stories and explaining their strategy to their partner, I can walk around the class and listen to students. I can quickly assess their mathematical knowledge and misconceptions. Later, I can use the tool to differentiate the students' learning.

  This is an invaluable tool for students and teachers. We use them almost every day as a whole class, in small groups, or as individuals. It allows students to "see" math and build their number sense, which is so important in first grade. They love getting to use them.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Anderson

• Teachers Are Lifelong Learners, too!

  Funded May 29, 2019

  Thank you very much for funding my project to attend the SDE National Conference! There were so many amazing workshops from which to choose, and the ones I attended were perfect for me and my students' needs. In addition to the workshops, there were vendors of educational materials in the Exhibition Hall. Each had giveaways, demonstrations, and materials for purchase. (I even won a phonics game that I can use in my classroom!)

  The presenters were educators and experts in their fields. I attended math, writing, reading, classroom management, and dyslexia workshops. Each workshop was engaging and meaningful. I was able to learn something from each workshop that I will be able to use in my classroom for this coming school year, and years to come.

  The highlight was meeting and learning from authors that I have read and/or followed on their website/blog. To be able to ask them questions in person and receive their insight was invaluable.

  I cannot wait for this upcoming school year to implement what I learned from the dyslexia worksop. Understanding how a student with dyslexia learns will help me differentiate my instruction for my first graders.

  Attending the SDE National Conference makes me proud to be a teacher, and renews my enthusiasm for my profession. I hope that I will be able to attend again next year.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Anderson