Past projects 180
Harlem HS Students Develop Financial Literacy and Earn S.U. Credit!
Funded Oct 9, 2019Well THAT was an interesting school year!!!!!!!! Thank you all for your generosity and kindness in getting this project funded for my inaugural class of Syracuse University Project Advance Personal Finance class.
The class went REALLY well -- even though the last few months were a little unusual. Every student performed well enough to earn Syracuse University credit.
It was a very fun class to teach. We covered SMART Goals, Budgeting, Banking, Saving, Investing, Renting v Buying, Credit, Identity Theft, Investing and Insurance.
Thanks to your generosity, I was able to put lots of money-related fun stickers on particularly well done projects/exams and reward students who made honors with superhero and dollar bill erasers and the budgeting envelope systems. Since I teach teenagers, the most valued prize was the monthly budgeting planner with "Sort Your $hit Out" on the cover. The classroom financial literacy books were a big hit - students signed them out of a 'lending library' and those who read the same book discussed what they learned. The Obama Keepsake dollar bills were proudly posted in my room all year and solicited many positive comments all year long. The video BROKE generated lots of rich discussion around saving, investing and credit.
Sadly, we went remote very suddenly before I could take photos and gather student thank you letters. Please know that your materials went to good use, The classroom library will be used once again when we able to teach in person again one day.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Viau
This classroom project was brought to life by Charles Schwab Foundation and 6 other donors.Harlem Needs Snacks for AP Test Prep!
Funded Mar 3, 2020Thank you so very much for providing the snacks for my AP students. As you know, the snacks were intended to be used for our 2-hour study sessions on Saturdays from February through the exam in May. And, as you also know, our school was closed mid March due to Covid 19.
Some of the snacks had been utilized during our February and early March Saturday sessions. However, there were A TON of snacks remaining in my classroom.
Many of my students' families are struggling financially with loss of employment during business shut downs. Since, we are closed through the rest of the school year, I found a way to have some of my students [who live walking distance from the school, so as NOT to ask any child to take the subway] pick up the snacks at designated times at the front of the school building.
The families wish to express their sincere gratitude. Having some Sun Chips, potato chips, granola bars, fruit chews and even some sweets was very welcomed to help out families that have multiple children at home all day and no income coming in right now.
Although your donation was used in a different manner than initially anticipated, the snacks got into the hands of students and their families and was VERY helpful. Thank you so very much for your generosity.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Viau
Freakonomics for Harlem AP Microeconomics Scholars!
Funded Mar 6, 2020We did it!!!! It was so great that we were able to take advantage of this one-week-only matching for book projects!!!!
Thank you all for coming through for my students during this week!
This book is a great read. It really turns conventional thinking on its head and forces students to think outside the box. In prior years, this book has started many very interesting discussions.
I plan to assign one chapter that deals with negative externalities and assign a writing project. I will also encourage students to read the other chapters and bring up their reflections in class.
Thanks for making this happen. My students have none to few books of their own at home. This project will help them to start their very own library.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Viau
This classroom project was brought to life by A group of anonymous donors and 4 other donors.Harlem Has Fun with Personal Finance!
Funded Nov 3, 2019It was GAME DAY in Personal Finance today - thanks to your kindness and generosity!
Today, the day before midwinter break, students were able to select a game of their choice and put their FINANCIAL LITERACY skills to work to WIN!!!
The game options included:
*Cover you're A$$ETS
*NYC Monopoly
*Thrive Time for Teens
*Stock Exchange
*Pay Day
*Logo
It was perfect to play Pay Day as we are in the middle of our unit on credit and an upcoming lesson deals with pay day lenders.
The kids loved the NYC take on the classic monopoly game since we live in THE BIG APPLE!
Logo was a lot of fun and really demonstrated how effective media advertising is. This brought up discussion about consumerism in this country. This was a nice follow up to our media literacy unit.
The Stock Exchange Game and the Thrive Time for Teens Game were a fun intro into investing. We haven't completed that unit yet, and the kids can't wait to make another attempt at strategy in that game once they have more investment knowledge. We learned that those two games are the most challenging and need at least 2 class periods to accomplish properly. The Thrive Game reminded me a lot of the Cash Flow game created by Robert T. Kiyosaki who is the author of Rich Dad Poor Dad.
These games were perfect for this class. They were simultaneously enjoyable and educational. Kuddos to the game designers. I would recommend these to any Financial Literacy teacher.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Viau
This classroom project was brought to life by Charles Schwab Foundation and 9 other donors.Just Mercy for Harlem!
Funded Jan 3, 2020I don't even know HOW to begin to express how amazing it was to see this profound film with 100 students and staff from our Frederick Douglass Academy family.
We had our own private viewing so we could react freely, genuinely and emotionally. There were times when we were mad at the plot. There were times when we were all sobbing. There were times when we were at awe at the compassion of one human to another and there were times when we were disgusted at how one human could treat another. Seeing this movie while sitting in the middle of dozens of my students made the experience all the more powerful.
We saw the movie on Monday. Today is Thursday. We are still talking about it. My students included their reflections in the letters that they wrote to you - just wait until you see what the film meant to them. You will be proud that you made this experience possible.
As a follow up activity, some of us chaperones are holding a town-hall style meeting to facilitate a dialogue about the messages in the film and what we can learn from Bryan Stevenson. Many students were shocked to see the dates flash across the screen at various points during the film - the level of ignorance and closed-mindedness of several of characters made one believe that these events took place long ago. However, the dates made us shockingly realize that this film depicted RECENT history - some only 20 years ago.
Next week, on Valentine's Day, the the students will be allowed to wear a pink or red accessory on top of their school uniform in exchange for a donation to the Equal Rights Initiative. Students who attended the film will research one example of someone who was wrongfully convicted and later exonerated. They will wear a name tag that reads "Ask Me About ________[name of person researched]". The intent is that other students in their classes will ask them about the name and they will proceed to share that particular story and the story of Bryan Stevenson. This way the message will spread beyond just the students who saw the film on Monday, but to most of the school. The pink and red will demonstrate our compassion.
This was a truly unique experience for us. Several students have discussed an interest in criminal justice this week. Many students who were already interested in the law have now decided that they want to pursue the work of defending those who do not have the means to hire expensive lawyers.
You have done a wonderful thing for our school.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Viau
This classroom project was brought to life by An Anonymous Classroom Supporter and 6 other donors.Help Harlem Prep for AP Statistics!
Funded Jan 30, 2020What a GREAT day in AP Statistics today!!!!! Before class began, I placed one box of the Barron's AP Statistics Flashcards on each student's desk. As they walked in, each student expressed their surprise and appreciation to get this excellent resource. Class started on a high today!
My current students have heard about this resource from prior students, so they were eagerly wishing to obtain this resource themselves. When the project was fully funded, they were thrilled. Today when they actually received the resource - to keep as their very own - they were overjoyed.
The flashcards are very flexible and portable. Each card simulates either a multiple choice question or a free response question. The cards are laminated and about the size of a credit card. Each card has a hole punched in the upper left hand corner, and a key ring in enclosed in each box. The cards are separated into the four categories of this course: 1) Exploring Data; 2) Sampling and Experimentation; 3) Anticipating Patterns/Probability; and 4) Inferential Statistics. Students can take out cards from a current category, or a category that they need to work on, or even just a mixed review of categories. Then, those questions can be placed on the key ring an be placed on the student's backpack. This allows them to make productive use of their commute time and practice while on the subway to and from school.
The very nice smelling hand sanitizer was given out today as a prize for those students who earned 80+ on our most recent exam on probability. They had fun selecting their favorite scent!
Thanks for your kindness and for believing in my students. They are a great group of kids!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Viau
Keep Harlem Scholars Printing!
Funded Dec 19, 2019Thanks to you, we are in business now in classroom 327! The new toner came at the right time -- just at the start of the new spring semester and also right when the old toner ran out of ink!
Just look at all the work that has already been printed out using the new toner!!!!! Thank you so much for keeping our classroom stocked and functional.
The snacks have come in handy already since we have officially begun our Saturday tutorials. For the rest of the semester [until the AP Exam in May], our class will meet every Saturday for two hours. During this time, we will practice answering multiple choice and free response questions. Practice makes perfect! Also, the more simulated practice that the students have under their belt, the less likely test anxiety will derail them on test day.
Thanks for believing in us!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Viau
This classroom project was brought to life by Quill.com and one other donor.Agendas for Harlem Scholars to Get Organized!
Funded Dec 3, 2019Happy New Year!!!!!!! Today was our first day back to school from our holiday break.
The kids were dragging since they got into some poor sleeping habits over the break. But they definitely perked right up once they saw the awesome Planners that you got them!
What a great way to start off the new year. The spring semester work is more rigorous than the fall semester work, so it is very important that scholars stay on top of all of their deadlines. The agendas will assist greatly with keeping everyone organized.
The planners are adorable. The cover has motivational words "Courage, Passion, Motivation, Respect". In the front of the planner, one page describes S.M.A.R.T. goals and encourages students to establish several long term goals. The back of the planner includes a page to keep track of credits needed/earned for graduation There is a map of the United States and the world. Various subject specific resources pages are also included including Punctuation, Parts of Speech, Mathematics, Solar System, Cell Structure and United States Government. There are also pages that provide study skills and test tips. One page is dedicated to protecting yourself online. Another pages describes building character through citizenship, respect, responsibility, empathy, kindness & loyalty, fairness, honesty, cooperation, integrity and perseverance.
All in all, the agendas were a big hit. They are colorful and encouraging, provide a calendar to keep track of assignments and provide a lot of practical resources.
Your generous donation helps us start off 2020 strong!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Viau
This classroom project was brought to life by SONIC Drive-In and 2 other donors.Harlem Scholars Prep for AP Statistics Success!
Funded Dec 3, 2019I felt like Oprah today! "....and YOU get a book.....and YOU get a book....and YOU get a book!" What a great day!!! Christmas came early to our little classroom in Harlem today ALL THANKS TO YOU!!!!!!!
So. Much. Fun!!!!!!! The kids LOVED getting the review books. Students who took my other AP class last year (AP Microeconomics) and who used this resource in that class were able to share best practices in using the review book productively. It really is a great resource. And, its small size allows students to keep it in their backpack and use it on the subway during community time.
The access code for an online mock exam will be used in the month preceding the actual AP exam as another source of a mock exam.
And, the new twistables colored pencils got rave reviews! I couldn't believe how excited high school kids could get over the use of a colored pencil for all of 15 minutes as we grade one another's free response questions. They really get into those colors! Hey ---- whatever works to get kids excited about test prep is o.k. with me!
Thanks for your kindness and for thinking of us during this season of giving. Happy Holidays.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Viau
This classroom project was brought to life by SONIC Drive-In and 6 other donors.Help Harlem Master College Microeconomics!
Funded Nov 20, 2019What a fantastic day in AP Microeconomics class today! Our packages with the class set of the laminated Quick Study review brochures as well as the class set of Crash Course Review books arrived. As the kids exclaimed - "It's early Christmas!!" And, Oh what fun it was in class!!!
The materials came just in time for our Unit 3 exam which is scheduled for Monday. We're starting to get into the more challenging work, so these helpful resources will be utilized immediately.
When the kids realized that these books were their own to keep - their reaction was priceless! They had completely assumed that they would be required to return the resources at the conclusion of the class in June. Once they realized that they could write in the books, highlight the books, and keep them for future use in college - they CHEERED out loud!
Some of my students who had taken my AP Statistics class last year, and used the AP Statistics version of these two resources shared the best way to use them and how beneficial they were in his review [he aced the AP exam, by the way].
We all wish you a wonderful holiday. Thank you for including us in your thoughts and actions this giving season.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Viau