Past projects 16
Learning Through Play
Funded Sep 23, 2016Thank you so much for your generous donation to our classroom. With the beautiful weather in Florida, we have been able to use everything that was donated.
Our classroom took longer this year to feel like a community just because of the sheer number of students. The first thing we used was the marble race. The students were put into teams and told that they had to get the marble across the court without dropping it, using only the tube segments. We saw them scramble, drop the marble over and over, and yell at one another. We stopped them and asked them to think about why they weren't being successful with their task. We had a discussion about how they talk AT one another and not TO each other. We gave them a minute to come up with a plan and let them try again. The second time they were more successful, listening to one another, and approaching the task with a calmer attitude. Whenever students need a reminder of how we work better as a team I am able to refer back to that first experience with the marble race.
The spots and beans have been another fun addition to our classroom resources. We don't have a playground big enough to accommodate 35 fourth graders, so we have been able to use the spots and beams to create our own Hot Lava game. Students collaborate in teams to cross a set distance, with and without obstacles), keeping their team safe from the lava (ground). Students have to coordinate, plan, and practice controlled movements to be successful.
Our students truly appreciate having equipment that they can use when we go outside. They always ask when we will get to use them next. I love that we can give them opportunities to problem solve outside of the regular academic classroom. These are the skills that will help them to be successful beyond their time with me.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Shepard
Connecting Math, Science, and Technology
Funded Jul 9, 2016Dear Donors,
The two laptops you donated to our classroom have already gotten a lot of use this school year. As it turns out, only 3 of our 4 desktop computers are in working order. The laptops have given students the opportunity to continue working with a variety of programs without interruption. In addition, we have been using flexible seating (low tables, stools, standing desks) to help students find the way they learn best.The laptops have been used in conjunction with the seating options. Students are no longer confined to a chair at the desktops if they choose.
In our classroom we break into smaller groups to differentiate instruction. With 35 students and 2 teachers, we have to engage students who are not meeting with a teacher in meaningful tasks. The laptops have given us the ability to place more students on computers (desktops and laptops) as one station. In math, I am able to assign them reteach lessons of concepts they may not have understood or enrich others who have mastered the standards.
We are an Extended Reading Time school. That means that our students did not make sufficient gains in reading on the Florida state assessment (FSA). Our kids need time to read. For some of them, that time happens in school. Students love reading on the laptops. A few students each day are allowed to read on MyOn, which is a source of eBooks. It helps students to read books that are appropriate for their reading level while not calling attention to those that are not reading at grade level. It helps them to build their confidence and grow as readers.
Being able to provide students with this reliable technology has meant they have had more time using technology than they have in the past. It also means that I have had my instructional time interrupted far less. This has been especially important as there are more students needing small group instruction in the same amount of time.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Shepard
Reading in Math and Science
Funded Mar 13, 2016Thank you for your generous donation to our classroom. Getting my students to read, even for enjoyment, can be a struggle. Add to that the requirements of reading in science and reading to be able to solve math problems, my students are often overwhelmed and unmotivated. My students have already benefited so much from having access to books that make them see science and math in a different light.
Most reading that my students are asked to do in science is in the form of questions that they are being asked to answer. They are taught to do "Active Thinking" which is essentially showing their thinking through quick pictures and notes. It is a comprehension strategy that we have tried to implement across all subjects, but students struggle to see the connection to reading. The longest text that students read are articles related to our current topic. The Max Axiom books have provided my students with a way to connect science to reading. They love graphic novels and these books help them to make the content vocabulary their own. They are always asking to read them, and I see them going back and re-reading them again and again.
Problem solving is something that almost all my students struggle with. Again, they do not think of word problems as a reading task and will pick numbers out and use them in ways that do not always fit the situation. Getting them to apply comprehension strategies is often met with groans of disapproval. I have been able to use the math books in small groups and students have used them in the math stations to help them see that math is fun and really is everywhere. They enjoy making connections to things we have learn this year in the context of stories. The comic strips give me a way to engage students in our lesson for the day.
These new books have mass appeal in my classroom. I know that they will continue to have an impact on student lives for many years to come!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Shepard
This classroom project was brought to life by #BestSchoolDay and one other donor.Wibble, Wobble Chair, So We Don't Fall Down
Funded Feb 13, 2016The intrigue that these three little stools cause the first time my students saw them! "What are they? Who gets to use them? Why do they wobble?"
One student in particular has been having a very difficult time sitting still. I have watched him struggle to keep his body quiet, only to lose focus on classroom tasks and instruction because it took all he had to stay still. He is able to use these stools in my room, as well as in my co-teacher's room. He rarely stands up in the middle of a lesson. He is able to persevere with tasks. His focus has improved tremendously in the short time that he has been sitting on the stool.
The other stools are rotated to students in need throughout the day. If a student is showing signs that they are unable to focus on their task they are given one of the stools. The stools are great for students who have excess energy, as well as students who show signs on fatigue. When a student starts to drag, they have to wake their body up in order to stay on the stool The students take turns sitting in the stools and willingly share them with other students when they are needed.
These stools have made such a difference for my students. Your thoughtful donation allows anywhere from 6-10 students a day. I wish I had a room full of this alternative seating!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Shepard
Arrrgh You Ready for the Future?
Funded Dec 10, 2015I want to take this opportunity to thank each of you again for helping to fund this project. The laptops have been getting a lot of use in our classroom, and have helped students in math, reading, science and writing.
My students have been able to read books and do research as review of all Physical Science topics covered this year. They created posters from the notes they took and used the laptops to type up reviews of other students' posters. I only had three computers in my room at the beginning of the year. This made it difficult for me to utilize them as stations during math time for independent practice since groups usually consisted of 4 or more students. The computers can only be placed in one corner of the room and it is often a distraction to other students. Now I can have students take the laptops somewhere else in the room where they can concentrate better and not be disruptive of others.
Although I teach math and science, some of my students use a reading program to help improve their comprehension, fluency, word analysis and vocabulary skills. I am responsible for making sure that they meet their required usage of the program, which is between 60 and 90 minutes a week. With these two additional resources we have been able to get more students on the program on a daily basis. The more students that can get on at a time, the fewer interruptions there are to whole class instruction.
The students are grateful that they have access to computers that work well and of course anything new and "shiny" has an appeal. Any task or project becomes more engaging when they get to use them. This year we were informed that students would be taking their Florida State Assessment (FSA) in reading on the computer. I have been able to give students more time on the computers which has helped them increase their ability to type responses. The less time they spend hunting for letters on the keyboard, the more time they can spend on forming, editing and revising their responses. Helping them to increase their computer skills will give my students a better chance at success in school and beyond.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Shepard
Non-fiction Books for Classroom Library
Funded Nov 2, 2012The students were so excited to see all the new nonfiction books. They always have a nonfiction book on their desk. They love to share what they have learned in the books.
Since receiving our new nonfiction books, the students have used them for a wide variety of activities. They arrived just in time for us to start our Nonfiction unit in reading and the students were able to sort the books into the library. The students have already used them to practice close reading and comprehension strategies that we have been learning including compare and contrast, cause and effect, and fact and opinion.
We have a writing unit coming up where the students will use the nonfiction books to research and create an All About paper and poster. Everyday we talk about and share examples of text features that the students have found while reading independently.
I no longer hear my students complain that there aren't enough nonfiction books in our library. Having a variety of books on the same topic has allowed students to work on group projects and still have books that accessible to them. I know that my students, present and future, will benefit greatly from your generosity.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Shepard
This classroom project was brought to life by Kia Motors America and 2 other donors.