Past projects 125
An iPad to Enhance Learning!
Funded Mar 27, 2019My students were beyond thrilled when they heard we had gotten fully funded for an iPad in the classroom! This new piece of technology gives my students the opportunity to become innovators and helps facilitate lessons. This is our only iPad in the classroom, so it has been shared during stations time. I introduced my students to AR (augmented reality) using the Google Expeditions app and they were amazed! Our lessons became supersized as they were able to literally learn more by what they saw. They learned more about space, sharks, dinosaurs, and even famous man made landmarks. Take a look at our pictures. My students also used the iPad to research on historical figures for their project and they used it wirelessly with our Cricut machine to create projects for the classroom.
My students especially love the fact that we can download apps to use in the classroom. We use apps such as Ozobot, Flipgrid, Kahoot, Chatterpix, Prodigy, Epic, and the list goes on. My goal is to have 1 iPad per group so that they can be shared between 4 students. Technology is an extraordinary asset in our classroom, but we have limited resources.
Someone who has benefited tremendously from the iPad is my recent immigrant. She is learning to speak English with the Duolingo app. It is amazing! You can see her in the picture using the app. I'm so glad my students got this opportunity! I believe they deserve the best because they are the future! Thank you again and I hope you continue to support my classroom.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. V. Flores
This classroom project was brought to life by Verizon and 5 other donors.Let's Excel in Class with Flexible Seating!
Funded May 9, 2019Our Nugget (couch) has been a great hit in the classroom! The Nugget was placed in our classroom library area. Every morning my students have D.E.A.R. (drop everything and read) time for about 45 minutes, so I wanted to give them the option of sitting comfortably while reading, versus their traditional desk. They are extremely thankful for the opportunity! My students are awesome when it comes to taking turns sitting on it. It comfortably fits about 6 students at a time. They have been reading independently or in a group.
When we arrived after lunch the box was in our classroom, and of course my students immediately asked for an unboxing. They knew some generous donors had helped get this in our classroom. They also knew it was some type of flexible seating, but they didn't think a small couch would fit in the box. You can see the size in the pictures. It was a great experience opening the box because it was rolled up and they got to watch it all unfold!
The Nugget is a total game changer in my classroom! I noticed some of my reluctant readers wanting to read more because of the comfy couch. I now know that flexible seating is truly effective in the classroom and plan on offering my students more opportunities. My ADD and ADHD students also loved the fact that they can sit somewhere besides their traditional chair. My students will continue to come to school every day ready to learn with smiles on their faces. I truly appreciate your support and hope you continue to support our class!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. V. Flores
This classroom project was brought to life by SONIC Drive-In and 5 other donors.Today's Students Are Tomorrow's Leaders
Funded Apr 23, 2019"We are makers!" That's what I hear my students tell each other. Our STEM bins and cart arrived just in time to use after state testing. They were very excited to start using the materials even though they had questions about some of the materials sent. Since my students come from a low socioeconomic background, they don't get the same experiences as most students do, so this was new to them. I used the web to show them videos and pictures of other students using STEM bins. They were in awe of the creations made and were excited to get started. They quickly began using the task cards and materials to think outside the box and create something. In the pictures you can see some of their creations. I will share more on Twitter because they truly are amazing!
The box was delivered to our room while we were at lunch, so it was a huge surprise! The minute they saw it they said, "We got happy mail Ms. Flores, can we open it now." Of course we opened it and they quickly wanted to assemble them. They took ownership, as I usually try to have them do when we receive a donation, because I tell them the items have been donated by wonderful donors to help their learning experience. It is the best thing to watch!
I plan to use the STEM bins in the morning and afternoon to help my students become creative innovators and thinkers. I am extremely thankful for all of your continued support and I hope you continue to support our class as you have. We need more supporters like you!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. V. Flores
Our Projects Need To Come To Life!
Funded Mar 14, 2019I can't thank each of you enough for your kindness and generosity. My students were so excited to receive our materials (paper, vinyl, transfer tape) to use with our Cricut! They quickly wanted to begin creating. Since state testing was around the corner, we voted and decided to change our bulletin board to: "Donut Stress Just Try Your Best!" They cut the letters and donuts using the paper you helped provide for them. Next, each student chose a positive word or phrase to encourage them. They used the Cricut and the vinyl provided to cut their word or phrase out and then using the transfer tape they placed it on their desk. They couldn't stop saying how cool everything was! This past week they changed our bulletin board since state testing was over and they cut out with the colored paper: "Choose Kind" as a reminder to always be kind to one another. This makes me so happy! To see my students happy and doing something they might never have the opportunity to do is the best feeling ever! Thank you for believing in my students! We hope you continue to support our class in the future!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. V. Flores
This classroom project was brought to life by AT&T and 3 other donors.Let the Creativity Begin!
Funded Feb 28, 2019Let me begin by saying that our new Cricut has brought so much creativity to our classroom! My students had no idea what a Cricut machine was, and upon opening it they thought it was a printer. It wasn't until I showed them a video, and from there on the ideas started flowing! They are extremely thankful for all of our donors that helped us reach our goal.
We began by creating a new bulletin board for our classroom. With state testing around the corner, my students voted and decided on the bulletin board shown in a picture I uploaded that reads: Donut Stress Just Try Your Best. We always aim for lots of positivity in our classroom. Our next project was using vinyl. I told my students to think of a word or phrase that encouraged them, so that they could place on their desk. Some of the words/phrases made were champ, fearless, dream big, never give up, good vibes, and many more!
I especially love that students are constantly saying, "Can we use the Cricut again" and " I have a new idea for our Cricut." Their creative sides have extremely come out! We are planning to make Mother's Day cards, and end of the year gifts with their name on them. I want to thank everyone that made this possible. I am filled with happiness!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. V. Flores
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose.org Community and 6 other donors.We Want to Be Full STEAM Ahead!
Funded Dec 4, 2018I want to express my appreciation for your generosity in support of my project. It is because of you that we were allowed to reach our goal. Your support means so much to me but even more to my students. Thank you from all of us!
My class was very amazed that our class was receiving all of these materials! They couldn't grasp the fact that these would now be a part of our instruction, thanks to wonderful donors. They kept shouting, "Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!"
Using the materials has been a huge hit! The Magformers arrived just in time for our geometry unit. The students created solid figure shapes and quizzed each other on the amount of faces, edges, and vertices the shape had. The Ozobots are perfect for Reading lessons. The students worked in a group to create a plot mountain with 3 codes according to the book, The Adventures of Beekle.
The possibilities are endless and we are very appreciative of what we received. We now have our own mini makerspace in our room too! Thank you again!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. V. Flores
This classroom project was brought to life by An anonymous donor and 5 other donors.Let's Excel in Class With Flexible Seating!
Funded Aug 2, 2017First and foremost, my students and I would like to say, "thank you from the bottom of our hearts"! Our new wobble stools are a big hit! The wobble stools are being used in the entire class, mainly our technology center and small group table. They have helped to motivate my students to learn. When we work in small groups, they help to keep my students focused on the task at hand.
Before opening our package, I explained to my students that the items inside had been donated by some wonderful people. The look on their faces was priceless when I took out the stools. They had never seen stools like that, much less in the classroom. From that moment on, it was all uphill. I noticed the students arrived earlier to class and ready to learn. They all wanted a chance to sit on the stools.
My next steps are to assign the stools to the best behaving students in class. This way they know they have to earn the special spot. This will help with classroom behavior as well. My students are much more motivated knowing we have flexible seating options in the classroom.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. V. Flores
This classroom project was brought to life by Lakeshore Learning and 4 other donors.