Mrs. Backlund's Classroom Edit display name

Current requests

Past projects 13

• The Basics for Learning

  Funded Oct 6, 2024

  Thank you for making this project come to life. The students at my school deserve to learn like other students but somedays they come in lacking the basics that they need for the day. Most people think students need notebooks, pencils, and markers to learn but they forget that sometimes students need clean clothes before they can think about anything else.

  This project will provide some of the very basics needed to get the day started and ensure success. The students that utilize these items are extremely grateful and thankful for the generosity of others. The teachers that provide these items for the students are always appreciative that donors understand the importance of these items and projects. Thank you again for making this project a reality.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Backlund

  This classroom project was brought to life by .

• Diversify the Art Room

  Funded May 7, 2024

  Thank you for donating to this project so my students can enjoy these items and have a classroom that is more representative of them. These are the first posters and books in Spanish that I have had in my classroom and my students were thrilled when I first showed them. Students have been utilizing the drawing books and seeing their excitement and creativity with the proper resources is truly priceless.

  I am looking forward to hanging the posters around my classroom so my students are greeted with a space that is welcoming and inviting. I try very hard to make sure all of my students feel represented and included with how I set up and decorate my classroom and these items will make a big difference. I appreciate your generosity and support.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Backlund

  This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 2 other donors.

• Second Semester Student Requests

  Funded Mar 29, 2024

  Thank you for seeing the importance in the requests from my students and making this project happen sooner rather than later. Whenever students voice their needs and feel like adults genuinely listen they feel valued and like they are part of the learning process. These classroom items may seem simple but they helped second semester students feel like their voices were heard.

  These items had a big impact on my students. Basic needs were met because they had tissues and lotion to use daily. Students felt like they could be more creative because they had the option to sit on the floor using the cushions and yoga mats and create in spaces where they felt more inspired rather than being stiff at a table. Students could use the phone holders to watch drawing videos and view reference photos to help their artwork and light tables are always helpful to young artists. Thank you again for seeing the importance of this project and making it come to life for my students.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Backlund

• Enhancing the Digital Art Experience

  Funded Nov 25, 2022

  Thank you so much for making this project come to life for my students! Everyone knows that not all students learn the same. Having technology in my classroom has allowed certain artists to shine through the digital art experience. Students were extremely excited to have access to a USB mouse to make the digital art platforms easier to navigate and they are enjoying seeing what the stylus allows them to do.

  Students have been asking for access to a USB mouse for some time and seeing their faces light up the day they came in was like Christmas morning. Students had no idea that they were also going to be able to use a stylus too so that surprise was also exciting for them as well. Watching my students explore new technologies and platforms while still creating artwork is such an enjoyable part of my day, thank you for making this happen for my students.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Backlund

• Awards for Awesomeness!

  Funded Sep 20, 2022

  With your donations to this project I have been able to establish a weekly routine where students are rewarded for their positive behaviors and actions. Without this project I would not have the necessary resources to spotlight students for their excellent participation, or being extra helpful to their classmates, or for simply showing up and trying their hardest each and every day despite the challenges they face as teenagers. The students all get really excited for one another when they are selected and for me, it's heart warming to see their reactions when I call their names. Students really enjoy having so many items to select from each week in the prize bin and I'm so grateful that we get to end our week with having such a positive and enjoyable moment as a class. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Backlund

  This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 9 other donors.

• Replacement Items Needed for a Fresh Start

  Funded Aug 3, 2022

  Your support towards this project, my classroom, and my students has made the beginning of the school year extremely successful for all of us. Students entered my classroom on the first days of school and immediately felt welcomed and like they belonged because of the flags representing the different countries, the lights relax them as they work, and the organized materials makes life easier for all of us. As we have been creating art this year students are loving having access to light tables when they are needed. I really appreciate your generosity and support as we start another school year. Thank you, thankyou, thank you!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Backlund

  This classroom project was brought to life by Kleenex® Brand and 2 other donors.

• Show Offs Wanted!

  Funded Apr 7, 2022

  I can't say thank you enough for supporting this project and making it a reality! Before these display panels arrived the lobby of our school was dull and boring. Being able to display student artwork has helped brighten up our school building and has created an inviting feeling for staff, students, and visitors. Quite frequently I hear staff say, "OUR students made that?" and I just smile and nod yes.

  When students first saw the display panels they were extremely excited about the opportunity to have their artwork shown off. After I created the first display and moved the panels to the lobby students were thrilled that their artwork was so visible. I even saw students bringing their classmates with them to point our what they have created.

  Now as students are creating art they have started to ask me, "are you going to put this one in the lobby too?!" and it's such a wonderful feeling to see how these panels have started to encourage students to work harder and try a little bit more. I'm looking forward to using them in the future and I'm so grateful for the donations that have helped make this happen. Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Backlund

  This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose community & an Anonymous Partner and 7 other donors.

• Friday Awards for Awesome Students!

  Funded Nov 30, 2021

  THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! I am always blown away by the generosity of others. Each week "Friday Awards" is one of the highlights for me and my students and being able to continue this tradition for the entire school year means a lot to all of us. Not every student is going to be the most artistic so I love the opportunity to give students a shoutout for being helpful to their classmates, for participating in class activities, and trying their hardest.

  When my students saw the new awards for our bin they were extremely excited! I had asked the students for suggestions of things they wanted since my students are often told no or go without. When they saw some of their ideas in front of them they were so happy that I listened to their thoughts and made it happen. I noticed students trying extra hard because they really wanted to win one of the new awards that just came in. I really look forward to continuing this tradition and bringing smiles to my students faces as they are recognized by their classmates for their various talents. Thank you again.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Backlund

  This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 2 other donors.

• Mindful Students make Mindful Adults!

  Funded Dec 4, 2019

  Thank you so much for supporting my efforts to introduce mindfulness to my students! They were so excited as the boxes started to arrive and I began to put out and introduce the various items to the students. The prayer flags are hanging over our poster about mindfulness and the activities that we have practiced and it adds a nice pop of color to the room. I love turning on the galaxy lite at the beginning of class as students are arriving and settling in for the block.

  I have started using the sound bowl to get the attention of my students and everyone agrees it is much nicer than me having to raise my voice. The first time I rang it in class everyone got real quiet as they watched and listened, it was awesome to see their faces. I love being able to hand students stress balls or one of the fidget box toys when students are anxious and need help settling down. I now have students that will come in and ask for one because they're having a bad day and don't want to take it out on anyone else. It's fantastic to see them knowing what they need in the moment and learning how to take care of their emotions.

  Explaining to the students the importance of mindfulness and teaching them different skills and activities has been a lot of fun this semester. This donation really emphasizes the value of our practice. Life for high school students can be extremely stressful and tiring being able to incorporate mindfulness activities and items into class has been very beneficial. Sometimes the lessons we teach outside of the curriculum are more important than the lessons in it. I am always blown away by the kindness and generosity of others. Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Backlund

  This classroom project was brought to life by An anonymous classroom supporter and 7 other donors.