Mrs. Marquart's Classroom Edit display name

Past projects 114

• Headphones for Remote Learning

  Funded Oct 23, 2020

  Thank you for providing these headphones for my juniors and seniors. Being able to wear the headphones during remote learning lessons helps the students to focus at home by blocking out distracting background noise. Students have worn the headphones in class while watching teacher-assigned educational video clips and when asked to join Zoom breakout rooms.

  Students who have received the headphones always remark about how "nice and expensive" they look. One student told me how especially helpful they are during his remote days, as he has a dog at home that barks a lot. The headphones help block out the dog's barking and help him pay attention during class. Another student told me a similar story. She has a younger sister at home whose loud playtime noises distract her from her studies. The headphones are a blessing for her.

  Thank you, again, for providing this necessary piece of equipment for my students.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Marquart

  This classroom project was brought to life by Michael & Susan Dell Foundation and 4 other donors.

• The 57 Bus - a Culturally Responsive Text (Part 2)

  Funded Sep 17, 2020

  My students are about 2/3 of the way through The 57 Bus, and the feedback I have received from them has been overwhelmingly positive. Some of them are reading ahead, and I've had more than one student tell me that he or she has recommended this text to a friend or teacher.

  The book explores race, class, gender, identity, morality, and forgiveness. My students are researching topics related to The 57 Bus, including the impact of the BLM movement, inequity in education, juvenile justice, and violence against LGBTQ+ youth. I can't wait to see what they come up with. From my experience, student papers are always better when they can write about a topic they are passionate about. Most of my juniors have strong feelings about the topics listed above.

  Thank you for providing my students with the opportunity to read this highly engaging text.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Marquart

• The 57 Bus - a Culturally Responsive Text

  Funded Jul 25, 2020

  Two days after introducing my juniors to The 57 Bus, one student entered class and announced, "I like this book." She sounded surprised. It was as if she had never liked a book before. That opened the door for the other students to share their initial reactions to the text. One student sent me a thank-you email, expressing gratitude for reading this modern text with modern issues. This is the most engaging text I have taught in quite a long time.

  We have finished reading and analyzing Part I, which is Sasha's story. We learned about their childhood and decision to come out as agender. I used this opportunity to talk not only about preferred pronouns, but about the power of language. We have been studying positive and negative connotations and what impact they have on the reader. At one point in the text, Sasha's father describes an incident as "bizarre." We analyzed the impact of this word choice. What if the author used the word "strange" or "quirky"? What would the reader think of the incident then?

  Thank you for providing copies of this book for my students. I know that they are going to engage with Richard's story in Part 2 just like they have with Sasha's story.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Marquart

  This classroom project was brought to life by EagleTree Capital and 3 other donors.

• Popcorn for Student Council

  Funded Aug 11, 2020

  I can't wait to provide freshly popped popcorn to the staff and students at my school! The popcorn machine was assembled a few days ago, and we recently got permission to provide popcorn to faculty and staff next week. Due to Coronavirus regulations, we can't give popcorn to students, but I'm hoping that will change in 2021. As soon as we get permission, we will be in the hallways passing out popcorn to our students.

  Thank you for this treat. While I am disappointed that the Coronavirus is preventing us from giving popcorn to students, I know that our teachers will appreciate the pick-me-up that this healthy, crunchy snack will provide.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Marquart

  This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 11 other donors.

• Popcorn Maker for Student Council

  Funded May 5, 2020

  We are so excited to use this popcorn maker! We have the popcorn, oil, and cute little bags, and the machine was assembled a couple days ago. The Coronavirus put us at a standstill for awhile, but we finally got permission to provide popcorn to faculty and staff members next week! If all goes well, we hope to get permission to provide this tasty treat to students after the beginning of the new year. The students are especially excited. When they saw the popcorn maker fully assembled yesterday, there were many questions about when and where they could get this crunchy snack. I know that this is going to be a hit once once we can navigate the new requirements due to Covid-19.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Marquart

  This classroom project was brought to life by SONIC Drive-In and 7 other donors.

• Sashes, Crowns, and Flowers for the 2020 Homecoming Court

  Funded Sep 24, 2020

  Thank you for providing student council with homecoming sashes, crowns, and beautiful silk flowers. Like most activities that draw a crowd, our homecoming is on pause this year. We were able to host our annual spirit week, but the homecoming game is postponed until further notice. We hope to host homecoming, in all of its glory, this spring.

  Thank you for providing the materials that will help us continue this school tradition. The crowns are gorgeous, and I can't wait to see them shine under the stadium lighting. The flowers look real, and the sashes are perfect and exactly what we expected.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Marquart

  This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose 20th Anniversary Fund and 5 other donors.

• So Many Books, So Little Time (Part 2)

  Funded May 5, 2020

  As you can see from the photos, some of the books were already gone before I could snap a picture! The students were hesitant at first, but as soon as one student selected a book, others followed suit. Stargirl was the only title they were familiar with. Some of them read it in middle school, but it has become even more popular due to the recent Disney movie.

  It's discouraging to hear students say that they only read books for school, so it's especially important that we offer them opportunities to read just for fun. There is no pressure when it comes to reading these books. There are no deadlines or questions to answer. I just want them to enjoy reading like they did when they were in elementary school.

  I'm looking forward to hearing my students' thoughts and opinions on these texts, and it warms my heart to know that they will have this book to keep forever.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Marquart

  This classroom project was brought to life by SONIC Drive-In and one other donor.

• Gifts for Graduates

  Funded May 27, 2020

  It warms my heart to think of the generosity of my donors over the past few years. I have been able to gift my students with backpacks, snacks and drinks, books, and more. Nothing could have prepared me for this. There were tears, text messages, and emails after students received the graduation gifts that you provided. Some of them had thought that everyone had forgotten about them. Others were, understandably, feeling discouraged after missing out on the last quarter of their senior year, especially the spring athletes. Even I felt the emotions coming after handing them their gift baskets or leaving them on front porches to be found after returning from work.

  Thank you for helping to create a bright spot in these seniors' lives during this bittersweet time.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Marquart

  This classroom project was brought to life by #GraduateTogether and 2 other donors.

• Community Spring Egg Hunt Supplies

  Funded Dec 30, 2019

  Thank you for providing supplies for this year's egg hunt. Unfortunately, due to the Covid-19 closure, we had to cancel this year's spring egg hunt. Student council has been brainstorming alternative ways to hold our 2nd annual free community event. With so many uncertainties, we do not know what this might look like. Our best plans are to host a fall community egg hunt in late September or to use the egg hunt supplies as part of our homecoming activities in October. Whichever plan we choose, know that your donation is greatly appreciated and that materials will be distributed to school district children and their families.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Marquart

• So Many Books, So Little Time (Part 1)

  Funded Mar 3, 2020

  I can't wait to put these books in the hands of my students with no strings attached! I want my students to know that reading for pleasure is important. There is better way to show them than by giving them brand new books to read and keep. Thank you for participating in the #FillEveryShelf campaign.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Marquart

  This classroom project was brought to life by A group of anonymous donors and one other donor.