Past projects 9
Writing is Fun!
Funded Feb 5, 2018My students love using the writing utensils that you purchased for them. We pull out the special paper for special occasions. We recently had two students move away from our school. Before they left, students wrote letters to each of the students on the fancy paper that you provided. It was so great to be able to give the children choice about how to write. They also love the pens and pencils you bought for us. I added them to my treasure box and students can exchange Class Dojo points for treasures. Thanks for bringing the joy of writing to my classroom.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Meier
Way to Grow Awards!
Funded Feb 2, 2018When my students first saw the pots and soil that you bought us they were overjoyed. I brought small cuttings from my plants at home and each child went home with their very own plant. Students really enjoyed potting the plants and many even named their plants. Clumsy was my favorite plant name. We were learning about environments at the time in science so these plants were a perfect way for students to study environments outside of school. Many students report that their plants are still thriving today. One student even brought his plant back to school for a "checkup."
All in all, my students got a lot out of this process and I thank you for your generosity.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Meier
Happy Brains Learn Best!
Funded Jul 27, 2017Thank you so much for your thoughtful donation to our classroom. I'm so excited that the materials will arrive before the children. With your help, our classroom will be full of happy, healthy brains in no time. I'm so grateful to be able to start the school year off with some fun, engaging seating!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Meier
This classroom project was brought to life by Sergey Brin Family Foundation and one other donor.Make Learning Fun!
Funded Feb 28, 2017Hands-on learning is always better than pure book learning in my opinion. In second grade, there is a heavy emphasis on fluent reading for two main reasons. First, fluent reading allows readers to cover a lot of material in a relatively short amount of time. This skill will be necessary in order to keep up with the quantity of reading required for most career paths. Secondly, fluent reading aids in comprehension. If a reader reads word-by-word, the meaning of the text can easily be lost. The sand timers donated through this project helped students to keep track of their own fluency goals without the noise of electronic timers. Kids loved using this simple tool and we found uses in many other subject areas as well.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Meier
Class Pets - Worms!
Funded Mar 9, 2017My students loved the addition of worms to our classroom. When I told the kids we were getting some new classroom pets, I thought they might scoff when they found out the pets were mere worms. I couldn't have been more wrong. Daily, they asked to hold the worms and were intrigued by the worm books and composting display. The worms couldn't keep up with the deluge of food from the cafeteria so it became the line leaders job to feed the worms each day. Line leaders rarely forgot. This simple connection to nature was a great addition to our classroom community.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Meier
Excited to Write!
Funded Nov 29, 2016Sometimes it is the little things that make the biggest difference for kids. You provided those little things for us and I am forever grateful.
The students absolutely love the coloring books that you provided. I copied lined paper on the back of each page and when the kids write a letter to someone, they can color the back of the paper for homework. Student letters have included much more details since I added this engagement piece.
The students also love the individual pencil sharpeners that you bought for them. Their handwriting has improved with sharper pencils. Thank you!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Meier
Learning to Love Reading
Funded Dec 30, 2015Thank you so much for your generous donation of a bookshelf to our classroom. Previously, I housed the books in a couple of boxes. The students didn't take great care of the books, as they were always shoving them into a tight spot and the spines took a beating. With the new bookshelf, students can more easily select the book they want to read, and return it to the correct spot without damaging the books. Also, the students are more eager to read with the new book shelf. Every time I read aloud a book to the class, I add it to the shelf. Later during the day, when students have some free time to read, they eagerly grab the book they've been eying all day. Thanks again for your support. It truly takes a village to raise a child.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Meier
A Place for Morning Meetings
Funded Dec 1, 2015Thank you so much for your generous donation to our classroom. For the first few months of school, I was regularly applying masking tape to the floor to help the kids determine boundaries. Of course, the masking tape looked totally tacky and the students were always fidgeting with it when I was teaching.
The day that the carpet arrived, the students were so excited. "Our classroom is so pretty now!" exclaimed a student. "Finally, I'll have my own spot to sit. The other students won't be up in my business," said another. "Finally, my bottom won't hurt when Ms. Meier is teaching," exclaimed a third. They love the new carpet.
Thank you again for your generous donation.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Meier
Needed-Engaging Classroom Library! Please help!
Funded Jun 20, 2014Thank you so very much for all the wonderful books. The books have meant a lot to the children in my class.
I have been using the books in my classroom in a number of ways. First of all, these books make great read-alouds. I spend time each day reading aloud. Through quality literature, they learn that stories have problems, solutions, characters and settings. Students are eager to apply this learning to reading books that are at their reading level. This read-aloud time also helps kids to learn author craft. We talk about how the author and illustrator work together to make a book that is fun to read. Students can then apply this learning to their writing as they become authors of their own books. Most importantly, I can use these books to teach life skills. Tacky the Penguin teaches the importance of diversity, The Giving Tree teaches students the importance of conservation and Tikki Tikki Tembo gives students a glimpse into different cultures.
While each book donated is wonderful in its own right, together they make the biggest impact. Through listening to and reading these books, students are developing a love for learning. They have favorite books that they want to hear again and again. They are able to make predictions in new books. Students even make connections between new books and ones that were previously read. Students say things like "wow, Rodney Rat is learning to be a good friend just like Tacky did!" Needless to say, this love of learning and reading will serve these kids well as they grow.
I cannot express how grateful I am for the gifts you have bestowed on me and my students for years to come.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Meier