Past projects 53
All I Want This School Year is a Cozy Library!
Funded Mar 9, 2016The donation of the four beanbags has truly revolutionized our classroom library. Why? Prior to receiving these beanbags the students had to sit on the rug or on a chair, which isn't too comfortable. Today my students are able to sit on a comfortable beanbag and enjoy a book in a very comfortable manner. This has surely motivated them to visit the library more often.
I am happy to share with you that every single one of my students made reading progress in the last formal assessment. I strongly believe that providing a pleasant area with cozy beanbags is one of the main factors.
I can't thank you enough for fully funding my project on www.donorschoose.org/srico. You are real difference makers!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Rico
One Wish: More Books
Funded Mar 9, 2016I am immensely humbled and thankful to you for fully funding my project: One Wish: More Books on Donorschoose.org. You have no idea how excited the students and I were to see package after package arrive and add it to our growing library. My students could not fully comprehend your heart for giving and so I had to explain to them that some people are true world changers and act upon what they believe: caring for others.
Since receiving these books my students have become complete lovers of the Bernstain Bears books, biographies, and American history. I must share that after reading the Amelia Earhart biography, my students were encouraged to follow their dreams despite certain circumstances, just like Amelia did. My favorite pieces have been the Bernstain Bears books. These have taught my students about responsibility, caring for others, and my favorite, healthy eating habits. Many of them have pledged to never eat hot chips again. Isn't that just great?
Reading time for my students has immensely changed. They are always looking forward to another Bernstain Bears book read aloud or to independent reading time to enjoy these amazing resources.
Mr. Charles, I don't have enough words to truly show my appreciation. Thank you again!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Rico
I Want to Be Active and Play Team Sports!
Funded Jan 25, 2016I am immensely thankful for your donation and for fully funding my project, "I Want to Be Active and Play Team Sport!" on www.donorschoose.org. You must know that my students are also very grateful and are so excited to have received such fun equipment.
The day the equipment arrived the students were as excited as I was to see the content in the box. "Wow! Is that for us?! Cool!" Were only some of the words that they expressed as I emptied the boxes. They wanted to go out to the playground at that very moment and use the equipment.
Since receiving these items, P.E. time is something they look forward to. Thanks to you my students have become more active, learned new skills, and have certainly learned what teamwork means. This donation has truly changed their aspect on being active. My students are more active in school than they've ever been, all thanks to you. Because of you, many will be active their whole lives and be healthy.
Thank you again for believing in these boys and girls.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Rico
More Books = More Knowledge
Funded Dec 23, 2015I am so, so thankful for your generous donation to my project on www.donorschoose.org. Thank you for investing in the education enrichment of a very special group of little humans: my students. They are so thankful too! They just can't believe that a group of "strangers" can care about them and financially invest in them.
The amazing items you donated are being used in many ways. I am able to finally immerse my students in rich literature during reading and writing lessons. I am also using the books to teach the students about different genres. Most enjoyed by them, is being able to read these books during reading workshop or independent reading time. Sometimes they choose to read with a friend and sometimes to themselves. The holiday box is amazing! It served its purpose for Chinese New Year. They were excited to learn a few new words in a foreign language too!
I am humbled by your donation and am immensely thankful.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Rico
I Want to Grow! Professionally, That Is!
Funded Jun 23, 2015I am truly beyond thankful for your generous donation to my project, "I Want to Grow! Professionally That Is!" I would like to share that I have read some of the books, and have learned so much. My very high-energy group is loving "Simon Says" and other games that encourage them to listen and focus while having a load of fun. I have also started differentiating instruction to meet the diverse needs of my students through a variety of word study activities from the "Words Their Way" book. I want you to know that the books I received through your kind donation have made a real difference for the better, and for that I'm thankful.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Rico
This classroom project was brought to life by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 6 other donors.Can Words and Shapes Come to Life with Play-Doh? You Bet!
Funded Nov 24, 2014Your generous donation has made teaching and learning in our classroom very meaningful and fun. The fun began as we unpacked the Play-Doh boxes. That was as exciting as using the dough.
In the last several weeks my students have used the Play-Doh in mathematics lessons to support geometry. In some lessons they built plane and solid geometric shapes in different sizes and colors. That tangible experience was so much fun for all of us. The students also have used the Play-Doh to solve addition and subtraction problems using mental math and representing these in number sentences.
Rainy days are something they really wish would come soon. Why? They will get to use the Play-Doh and use their imagination.
Thank you again for touching the lives of these special children.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Rico
This classroom project was brought to life by Play-Doh and 10 other donors.We Need Music!
Funded Dec 11, 2014I don't have enough words to thank you for your generous donation to my project on Donorschoose.org. These instruments arrived in a humongous box. As we, the students and I, opened the box of instruments, it was with great enthusiasm and excitement that the students looked forward to discovering its content. Upon seeing the recorders, then bells, and more bells, they knew these items meant music time.
I can't tell how much they've enjoyed learning about tone, rhythm, pitch, and so much more. The students even enjoyed these to review the study of patterns in math. I am forever grateful and so are my students.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Rico
Money Matters!
Funded Sep 15, 2014What child doesn't get super excited about having an iPad in class for their development of money skills? My students surely do! You should see the smile on my students' faces when they have a turn on the iPad to play a game. It is priceless!
My students get the opportunity to use the iPad during math workshop time as one of their options after completing their assigned work. Because this device is so popular, the students must sign up up to use it.
This iPad has truly assisted in the development of my students math skills, especially with money. I am confident that they are learning many necessary tools to succeed not only in second grade, but in life.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Rico
Science Says,"First Comes the STEM, Then Comes the Flower!"
Funded May 24, 2014How do I put my sincere gratitude into words? Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! My students and I are so excited about the hands on science centers and puzzle you so generously helped fund on Donorschoose.org. I explained to them how donorschoose.org works, and one of my students asked, "Are these people real?" "Of course they are," I replied.
My students are excited to use these resources during the science time block. They experience these activities in small group settings, where they are able to observe, share, and reflect on their learning or findings.
Receiving these valuable science resources has made a tremendous impact on their learning. Their vocabulary has increased, their awareness of science "all around them" has bloomed, and their love for science has only begun.
Again, my frank appreciation for these items and your act of kindness is immense.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Rico
This classroom project was brought to life by Lakeshore Learning and 7 other donors."C" Is For Creativity, Critical Thinking, And Collaboaration
Funded Oct 6, 2013This amazing group of second graders was excited to receive this art center and the materials necessary to complete art paintings. One scholar said, "Mrs. Rico, now we can create something like real artists do."
My students are able to use this art center during independent work time, after they complete a list of assignments. The day after they've completed their art piece, they write a paragraph to tell about it.
The students are excited to have the opportunity to exercise an art they don't often get to do. The fact that they can visit this center when they have completed their work correctly, has increased the number of assignments turned in on time, improved the quality of work they produce, and given me more time to work with individuals and small groups to intervene and meet their academic needs.
Words are never enough to express my sincere gratitude to individuals like you that make a real difference with what you do. THANK YOU!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Rico
This classroom project was brought to life by an anonymous donor and 7 other donors.