Mrs. Ford's Classroom Edit display name

Current requests

Past projects 9

• Cleaning Up Crotona!

  Funded Sep 20, 2023

  Thank you! Nia, our high school girls' empowerment group, focuses on developing young girls into strong leaders in the areas of scholarship, service, and sisterhood.

  For the past few years, we've put on gloves and picked up trash around our school and in the nearby park. This year, we were fortunate to have 25 trash grabbers donated to us by The Trip Foundation via DonorsChoose.

  The girls increased their sense of pride in themselves and their neighborhood, our community members were literally cheering in support, and other young people began helping us pick up trash! Want to know how our girls described cleaning up our neighborhood? "FUN!!!"

  I even got a "Miss, can we do this again this year?"

  In the words of Lin Manuel Miranda in Hamilton, "Scratch that! This is not a moment, it's the movement!"”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Ford

  This classroom project was brought to life by The Allstate Foundation and 2 other donors.

• Classroom Glow Up!

  Funded Aug 12, 2019

  You are why my classroom has become such a welcoming place over the past few years. The kids always say, "Wow Miss you must have a lot of money!" Hahaha! But, I ALWAYS tell them, "No, there are people out there who believe in you and think you are worth it, so they donate to our classroom."

  The student resting on the table is taking a break because she had just finished writing the longest essay she's ever written. She was so proud of herself and said, "Miss, I deserve a little break." Writing is extremely difficult for her, but having the stool for the little and sitting with other students who currently struggle as well gave her the motivation she needed to keep trying.

  You made that happen.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Ford

  This classroom project was brought to life by An Anonymous Funder and 7 other donors.

• Miss! I Passed My Reading Quiz! Reading is For Everyone

  Funded Jan 29, 2018

  The books you donated in this specific project were for my lower level readers and my English Language Learners. The joy that they had on their face as they opened their new books and saw that the books were achievable to read is indescribable.

  By having books on their level, they are able to work on their decoding skills and reading comprehension. The visuals that were provided in some of the graphic novels also assists with their decoding and reading comprehension.

  Honestly, the books FLEW off of the shelves because my kids were so eager to read.

  Reading is no longer a chore for these particular students, but instead a fun pass time.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Ford

• I Finished My Book - I Need To Choose Another

  Funded Jan 19, 2018

  The books you donated in this specific project were for mid to high level readers. I cannot keep books on the shelves fast enough for these children. I really wish you could see how quickly they are finishing books and recommending them to each other!

  These particular books are helping my students think about real world themes, and issues that not only fall within the realm of being a student, but also in the realm of simply being a human being.

  My students are eagerly sharing their thoughts that have been provoked by the particular books they are reading that were donated by you.

  This sort of interest in books would be nearly impossible without your donation towards books in which they are actually interested!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Ford

• Minecraft + Books = Reading 6th Graders!

  Funded Jan 24, 2018

  When I tell you that my students screamed when I told them that the entire box of books was full of Minecraft books, I am not exaggerating. The series that has really engaged two readers in particular is the Minecraft journals 1 through 13.

  My two readers were taking months to read 1 book. Often times, they weren't actually reading the book, but flipping through the pages, and thus in turn, failing their reading comprehension quizzes.

  These same two readers are now on book 4 and 5 of the Minecraft journals, and have passed every comprehension quiz with an 80% or higher!

  I love that they are getting to see that reading is fun, if you are reading something you're interested in. Your donations helped them learn that lesson!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Ford

• Hold On, Let Me Finish This Page!

  Funded Jul 3, 2017

  I know I start off with thank you every time, but THANK YOU does not express my gratitude for how much your donations help my classroom, and the students in the Bronx!

  My students are currently using the books during their independent reading period, during which I also get to teach them. The beauty of this period is students can read WHATEVER BOOK THEY WANT, as long as it on their level! That freedom comes from your generosity!

  I have two Spanish speaking students, and having popular books in Spanish available for them has not only helped them assimilate to the school setting, but helped them learn to love reading.

  My kids want you to know that they're excited and they love the books!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Ford

  This classroom project was brought to life by Sergey Brin Family Foundation and 9 other donors.

• Moving on Up!

  Funded Feb 7, 2017

  Your books have been so helpful that I actually started another project! My students are falling in love with reading because the books are interesting, and on their level! I cannot keep up with the demand!

  Each morning my students read for 45 minutes per day. After they finish reading, they either, through a Book Talk, share with the entire class what they've read, they answer a question using information from their book, or they share with a partner what they've read.

  The two class sets used in my literature were just as equally impactful as the individual books. We were able to explore the dynamics of slavery and human behavior through To Be A Slave, in addition to analyzing adolescent norms, behaviors, and relationships through Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli.

  Again, we are extremely appreciative of your donation to our classrooms!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Ford

• Get on My Level Part II

  Funded Nov 28, 2016

  My 6th through 8th grade students are currently ENGULFED in the book Stargirl! This book required high level thinking, and I am SO PLEASED to see them pushing themselves! They are so into the book that when I left school one day for a family emergency, THEY STILL READ THE BOOK WITHOUT BEING PROMPTED BY THE SUB!

  The books have been flying off of the shelves! Students from other classes have started to hear that "Mrs. Ford's library is the place to go!"

  Every day my students read for the first 20 minutes of class. After they read, they discuss a question with their partner and give information about their relative books.

  This wouldn't be possible without you!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Ford

• Get On My Level!

  Funded Aug 31, 2016

  Your donations have made reading accessible and fun for my students! Many of the of books we received were high interest with a lower reading level. Therefore, my students are reading about topics that pre-adolescents LOVE to read about while improving their levels!

  Every morning my students read their independent reading books for approximately 30 minutes. Reading in class ensures that they are reading in an environment that conducive to reading and reading growth. As they read, they practice different skills such as summarizing, predicting, and questioning. Reading in class also gives me the opportunity to brush up their knowledge about the mechanics of reading such as decoding.

  When I say that each and every one of my students is engulfed in their book, I literally mean each and every one. Because they are able to read about topics of their interest while simultaneously comprehending the text because it's on their level, my students do not want to put their books down.

  We cannot express our appreciation enough!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Ford