Past projects 24
Tinker Tubs
Funded Sep 28, 2018Thank you for your generous donations to my project. Students were so excited when they saw the amazon box come into the media center. I told them that it was a special surprise that I would reveal at a later date. About 3 weeks later, I took out the box and told them that we were going to learn about binary code. At first he students were quite confused. I showed them a quick video about binary code and then I told them that it was time to open the box. Once they opened it they were so excited about all the fun materials inside. The students were using the beads to create binary jewelry. Students were to follow a code on a worksheet and then come up with a secret word that they would like on their bracelet. It was so amazing how focused these students were and how excited they were to create a "secret message".
I have wanted to do this lesson for over a year, but I didn't have the funds for the materials. Thanks to you and Donors Choose, I was able to actually do the lesson with a wonderful bunch of students. I can't wait to do this again with more students. Now with all the extra materials I will be able to continue my various STEM lessons.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Donovan
This classroom project was brought to life by An Anonymous Arts Funder and 3 other donors.Today’s News
Funded Jun 10, 2018Thank you to all my wonderful donors for their generous donation to my project. My students are always so excited when boxes come into the library. I held on to them for a bit and had the students try to guess what may be in the box. I gave clues daily until the class that figured it out got to actually open the box. Students were thrilled to see all the products.
Once we took out all the products, I then explained to them that I wanted to start creating morning announcements at our school, kind of like a news broadcast. The looks on their faces is exactly what I was expecting. It was like light bulbs went off in their minds. The students started talking with each other and coming up with wonderful ideas of different things we could do and say. They were already volunteering to help out with it.
I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to share this experience with my school. My daughter attended this school when they were doing morning announcements. She was one of the hosts, and it was one of my favorite things to see. After 8 years, I am so glad that I am able to bring this back to this school. Thank you so much!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Donovan
This classroom project was brought to life by An Anonymous Arts Funder and 14 other donors.Botley For STEM!
Funded Apr 17, 2018I was so excited when the Botleys arrived. It was just in time too. I was trying to find fun ways to review for the FSA testing coming up. One of the skills that is difficult for my students is cause and effect. I was thinking....What an amazing and fun way to teach cause and effect! I reviews the difference between cause and effect and then students were paired up. They had to create their own cause and effect scenario. Each group shared their scenario and students had to figure out what their cause and effect was. Some students were so creative!
What was even better is that I could also tie this into science with teaching chain reactions! Students loved this idea and came up with some pretty remarkable ideas. I love to see students fully engaged in learning! These Botleys are just the beginning of more hands on creative lessons. Thank you for your donations that allow me to put a fun spin on learning standards!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Donovan
This classroom project was brought to life by Learning Resources and 10 other donors.Virtual Reality Maze
Funded Apr 12, 2018Imagination and excitement is back into the media center thanks to generous donations from wonderful and caring people and Verizon! The virtual reality mazes are amazing! One of my 4th grade classes was filled with excitement when I opened the box and pulled out the maze boards. They were eager to get started.
To help build their collaboration and teamwork skills, they were told that they must work together to figure out how the maze works. I did not give them any instructions. They ripped open the boxes and began to figure it out. I stood back amazed and their determination. For once they had to figure it out on their own without a teacher explaining.
At first, some students were very frustrated. They wanted to give up, but other in the group encouraged them to keep going. In 40 minutes, it was astonishing what they accomplished. They had figured out how to build the marble maze and then were able to scan it and play it on the ipad. The look of accomplishment was all over their faces. The pure joy of figuring it out on their own. This is what I imagine school to be. A learning environment full of discoveries.
Thank you to all who made this happen for our students!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Donovan
This classroom project was brought to life by Verizon and 8 other donors.Hurricane Maria Can't Stop Us From Reading
Funded Feb 8, 2018The look on the students faces when I opened the boxes full of books was priceless! It brings tears of joy to see the love of reading these books have brought to the media center. Students were eager to read every book! I had the students sit in a circle in the middle of the media center> I passed a new book out to each student. I gave them each about 5 minutes to look through it and then I had them pass the books to their right. We did this the whole class period. The students were so eager to look through the books that I didn't even have time to actually teach my lesson. It was well worth it too. The students were sad that our media time was over and so was I. I told them that they could come back any morning before school and read the books. From that day, the library has become more lively in the mornings! None of this would have been possible if it wasn't for my generous donors. Thank you!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Donovan
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose.org Community and one other donor.PNC Help Me Learn With Legos!
Funded Dec 21, 2017The Legos I have received in this project has really changed the way that I am teaching in the library. I am now able to create lessons that are more hands on and engaging. Students are really enjoying the library and are not ever wanting to leave.
The first day I brought out the Legos was the best. I had not told any of the students what I was planning. I only said that after I read my special book to them, that I had a special activity for them to do so they would need to listen to the book very carefully. I read them the story of Rapunzel and then we discussed about how poor Rapunzel was stuck in the tower and was unable to get down. I suggested that we needed to help her. I then unveiled the Legos and the look on the students faces were priceless. They were so excited to see that they were going to use Legos. I explained to them that we needed to work together in small groups to design and build something that could've been used to save Rapunzel. Although they are young, their creativity was amazing!
Thank you for supporting my students and helping me allow their imaginations to soar! I am looking forward to seeing these students grow!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Donovan
This classroom project was brought to life by Kaplan Early Learning Company and one other donor.Robotic Mindstorms!
Funded Dec 21, 2017The day that I introduced the students the Lego Mindstorm was a day that I will never forget. I have wanted to be able to intrigue our 4th graders to try something new. To grab the students attention, I first introduced the students to an hour of code. During this lesson, students learned how to code video games. They learned that computers need to be given directions (code) to make things move and work. I could see the excitement in the students eyes and how engaged they were to try something new.
After the students were feeling comfortable with coding on the computer, I brought out my challenge... Lego Mindstorm! There were many "Oohs and Aahs". They were so so excited to try something new and I was excited to see their reaction. I also showed them the Lego creation and explained that they can turn everyday Lego pieces into scenes for a movie. This really grabbed their attention. I then allowed students to come and explore and create!
It was amazing to hear how much fun these students were having while learning and collaborating together. It was also thrilling to hear how much fun being int he media center is!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Donovan
This classroom project was brought to life by 3M and one other donor.Community Legos From PNC
Funded Dec 29, 2017The Legos I have received in this project has really changed the way that I am teaching in the library. I am now able to create lessons that are more hands on and engaging. Students are really enjoying the library and are not ever wanting to leave.
The first day I brought out the Legos was the best. I had not told any of the students what I was planning. I only said that after I read my special book to them, that I had a special activity for them to do so they would need to listen to the book very carefully. I read them a book about different careers that people have. We discussed how important everyone's career is and how it effects our community. When I was done with our discussion, I revealed the Legos and the looks on their faces was priceless. They were so excited! Their assignment was to work in small groups and create a little community. Once they were done designing, they would then present it to the class. I was totally amazed how engaged the students were and how much fun they were having while learning.
Thank you for supporting my students and helping me allow their imaginations to soar! I am looking forward to seeing these students grow!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Donovan
This classroom project was brought to life by PNC Grow Up Great® and one other donor.PNC Help Us Learn Safely!
Funded Dec 30, 2017students can now use iPads without worrying if they're going to drop them and break them. With these new cases that are lightweight and fit perfectly to the iPads students can learn without worrying. Students like the bright colors of the iPad covers. Students like how they're easy to carry and travel around the room with. Students like that they can bend and fold new iPad case covers. The bending and folding help create a stand for the iPad to sit upright with. Thank you guys for supporting my classroom with iPad cases to support learning with technology in my classroom.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Donovan
This classroom project was brought to life by PNC Grow Up Great® and one other donor.Wiggle Worms No More!
Funded Sep 27, 2016Thank you for your donation to our Wiggle Worms Project". It has made such an impact in the way students learn in the classroom. Students are a lot more focused. Those students who have trouble sitting still may now do their work in a way that is the most comfortable for them. I have seen such an improvement in these student's scores.
When I first put the project on Donors Choose, I explained to my class that I had something exciting in store for them. I was surprised by how fast my project got funded. The class was so excited even though they didn't know what they were getting. I set up the supplies over the weekend so the students would be surprised when they came into school on Monday. The looks on their faces were priceless. They were so excited and couldn't wait to try out all the new supplies.
The differentiated seating has worked wonders in my classroom. Students are allowed to use them whenever they need a break from sitting in their usual chairs. I have students now completing work at a faster pace because they are more comfortable. Students can now sit on the floor, yoga balls, stools, cushions, or even stand to complete their work. None of this could have been done without your generous contribution. Thank you so much.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Donovan