Past projects 11
Co READ20
Funded Jul 29, 2020First and foremost, thank you for thinking of my students and your generosity. In these unprecedented times of uncertainty, it is humbling to know there are people who care for our future citizens.
I made this project to enhance my classroom library. The books in my classroom are heavily used. My students LOVE to read and I try my best to make sure I feed that love. Part of that effort on my part is making sure I offer books that are current, engaging, and topics of interest to second graders. The books in this project are all current, engaging, and interesting to second graders. Actually, some of the titles were specifically requested by the kids!
Reading in my classroom looks like what adults experience at Barnes and Noble / local bookstore or the Public Library. Kids browsing a book and then just getting so engrossed in the book they lose track of time. Or the Target experience, entering the classroom library with one intention and then leaving with a bucket overflowing with books.
All of this is possible with your generosity and continuous support. Thank you so much for all your support. Keep us in your thoughts and prayers!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Shah
Books & Microphones
Funded Feb 10, 2020Thank you for your generosity and support. Your contributions help this second grade class grow exponentially and experience real life learning. The books that were purchased are perfect for second graders who are just beginning to read chapter books. Second graders love humor, adventure and characters who speak in daily lingo. These books are easy for them to relate to. These books really impacted my students who are shy from broaching chapter books. But the quality of the books made them approach the hurdle with confidence.
The microphones have changed the quality of the videos they are making. They are so excited to have a professional device to make their recordings better. They take so much pride in the quality of their work.
Thank you again for supporting my class!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Shah
Broadcasters and Beyond!
Funded Feb 9, 2020Thank you for your generosity and support. Your contributions help this second grade class grow exponentially and experience real life learning. The books that were purchased are perfect for second graders who are just beginning to read chapter books. Second graders love humor, adventure and characters who speak in daily lingo. These books are easy for them to relate to. These books really impacted my students who are shy from broaching chapter books. But the quality of the books made them approach the hurdle with confidence.
The microphones have changed the quality of the videos they are making. They are so excited to have a professional device to make their recordings better. They take so much pride in the quality of their work.
Thank you again for supporting my class!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Shah
Fresh Books!
Funded Jan 20, 2020Reading is a fundamental life skill. Research shows the correlation of literacy and success later in life. When it comes to teaching reading, my philosophy is putting books in my students hearts. Many of my students do not have access to books at home, they do not go to the public library and lack the funds to buy books. Their exposure and interaction with books happens in the classroom. In order to fulfill my philosophy, I make sure to always have high engaging books in my classroom. Books that make my second graders laugh, books that tell stories with diverse characters, books that take them to different worlds and times. Many of my students do not know what books 'interest' them. Through the books in my classroom, they develop interests and favorites. And none of this would be possible without the support of donors and this amazing community.
Most of my projects are for books. There are many new amazing authors and stories being published and so many new favorites to bring into my classroom. Staying relevant with children's literature is another way I fulfill my philosophy. Through these books my second graders are beginning to know authors as friends on this journey of reading. Thank you for introducing my students to these authors, illustrators and stories.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Shah
Fixer Upper: 2nd Grade Edition
Funded Sep 4, 2019First and foremost, thank you for your generosity and continuous support. This year I am teaching a new grade in a new classroom. The resources from this project helped create a welcoming, warm and nurturing classroom environment. Just like how we want our homes to have warm, positive vibes, the same applies to a classroom. For my little second graders, our classroom becomes a home away from home. My students reaction to a comfy and cozy rug was joy. All of them couldn't stop brushing their fingers through the rug and of course everyone wanted to lay down and read for as long as possible. They have been working so hard to take care of the rug and make sure it doesn't get dirty. The sense of ownership over the materials shows in their responsible behaviors. The lamp lets us turn off the main classroom lights and read and write in a calm setting as we listen to soft music playing. If I forget to turn on the lamp during reading and writing time, several of my students are bound to remind me. They cannot begin reading or writing until I turn on the lamps and the calm mood is set. Overall, my second graders are very grateful to have an army of supporters. When a child's basic needs are met, they are can focus on their learning and grow exponentially. Know that every time my students are excited to learn, every time my students get excited to read a book or write a story, it is all because of you.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Shah
Creative Thinkers and Innovators
Funded Mar 31, 2019Thank you so much for supporting this project and the advancement of my students educational experience. Because we have a limited number of devices in our classroom, my students have to share iPads (up to 4 kids have to share an iPad!). My students were very excited to receive this iPad because having one more device increased their access to the technology. One way we use the iPad is to create videos. Currently, my first graders are learning how to recommend books to someone. One way they can create their book recommendation is by making a video/trailer telling the viewer the title, character and main idea of the book they love. The process of using the iPad to create a video has opened opportunities for all my students. I have children of all learning backgrounds in my class, and having the option to create a video (versus writing a blurb) allows my students who have learning struggles to feel successful and involved. I can't thank you enough for contributing to my classroom community.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Shah
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose.org Community and 8 other donors.21st Century Learning
Funded Oct 22, 2018On behalf of my students, I would like to thank you for your generosity and continued support. Your donations increased the number of iPads in our classroom. Having additional iPads in my classroom helps my students learn better for a variety of reasons:
1. Access to technology keeps my classroom current. The reality is, technology is a part of our culture now and using them in the classroom is where kids learn digital citizenship. We learn how to be responsible with our words and how to use devices responsibly.
2. Technology is an outlet for my students who have special learning needs. I have students who are shy to speak in front of an audience, who have speech impediments, who are learning English and iPads have apps and other forums for them to share their learning in a safe and private manner.
3. There are amazing educational apps that we use (ie. SeeSaw). Through these apps, parents can see what their children are learning and can participate in their child's learning by leaving comments on their child's work.
The additional technology has positively impacted my classroom as whole and I can't thank you enough for your support. Please continue to support my classroom!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Shah
iStudent + iLearning = iWorld
Funded Oct 22, 2018On behalf of my students, I would like to thank you for your generosity and continued support. Your donations increased the number of iPads in our classroom. Having additional iPads in my classroom helps my students learn better for a variety of reasons:
1. Access to technology keeps my classroom current. The reality is, technology is a part of our culture now and using them in the classroom is where kids learn digital citizenship. We learn how to be responsible with our words and how to use devices responsibly.
2. Technology is an outlet for my students who have special learning needs. I have students who are shy to speak in front of an audience, who have speech impediments, who are learning English and iPads have apps and other forums for them to share their learning in a safe and private manner.
3. There are amazing educational apps that we use (ie. SeeSaw). Through these apps, parents can see what their children are learning and can participate in their child's learning by leaving comments on their child's work.
The additional technology has positively impacted my classroom as whole and I can't thank you enough for your support. Please continue to support my classroom!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Shah
Don't Let the First Graders Read?!
Funded Nov 1, 2017Growing up my mom would take me to the public library weekly. My favorite thing to do in the library was to walk between the shelves, look at the spines of books, pull a book from a shelf, flip through the pages, and sometimes sit right there on the floor and read a page (or more!). Then as I got older, I would peruse and read at bookstores in the same way. The searching, exploring and navigation of books is half the fun. The best part is when you would find THAT book. You know..."the one". I wanted to create this same feeling and same experience for my students in my classroom.
I created this project because I needed a library that was appealing to first graders. I needed a bookstore for six year old's, books that appealed to their interests and not just my instruction. With the support of donors like you, my classroom library is now the trendiest place to be. "Shopping for books" is the best day for them and the best sight for me. My little first graders search between the baskets, look at the spines and covers of these books, pull a book from a basket, flip through the pages, and ALWAYS sit right there to read, and read, and read and then they lean over and enthusiastically share their discovery with a buddy who is also engrossed and enchanted in their own discovery. This is happening during the short time they have to get new books. What happens during independent reading is teachers goals at the highest level.
Your generosity is helping enchant twenty three little first graders to books that are funny, with words they can read and understand, and they are developing attachments to characters who they will remember for years to come. My students who did not like to read are now readers because you (my generous donors) helped them find humor and adventure in words and illustrations. My students who were shy to read out loud, they are the ones shouting out Pigeons frustrations on the tops of their lungs. My students who are new to my class made friends quickly because they sit with their reading buddy and take turns reading the Elephant and Piggie books. Know that the impact of your donations is going far. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Shah
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose.org Community and 5 other donors.All For Books And Books For All
Funded Feb 14, 2017Thank you so much for your generosity & dedication in supporting reading instruction at schools. Reading is a foundational language skill that unfortunately many children lack access to due to circumstance. I am an avid reader as an adult, but I also loved to read as a child. Books were magical for me because my teachers made them that way. I remember my grade level teachers turning the lights off, bringing props, wearing costumes, anything to absorb us into the world we were about to read about. These were powerful learning moments where I was able to connect with characters and also learn about peoples, places, and things that I didn't have access to. Because my teachers treated books like they were magical, I grew up believing books were just as magical. So now, I will do the same for my students.
With your donations, I purchased books that cover a wide range of topics, tell different stories, and are written by unfamiliar authors. I am using the books during science, social studies, and read aloud time. Currently, we are getting ready to learn about the season spring so I used Who Has These Feet and Who Has this Tail to revisit what we've already learned about animals & their traits. In my classroom we read books for pleasure (simply enjoy listening to a story), we read books to learn about a topic (science/social studies) or skill (read aloud time), or we read books to think critically & expand our experiences.
These books impacted my students who speak no English the most. The first time I brought out the books I purchased, their eyes shined bright & they gasped with delight. Everyone wanted to look & read & talk about a book. They already knew which ones they love the most & which ones are their favorites (remember, they are in first grade. So these kids love everything, even if they don't know what it is!). Thank you again, and please continue to extend your support to teachers & students in any way you can.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Shah