Past projects 17
A Perfect Perch
Funded Dec 1, 2020I wish you could have been in my classroom when the Amazon boxes arrived! My in-person children were SO excited! One little said, "It feels like Christmas!"
When I opened up the boxes, they began to ooh and ahh! I let them choose the color box they wanted. They filled their boxes with their coats, lunchboxes and backpacks. They then began to sit and bounce on them. Some students giggled and some students clapped.
My first graders now use the boxes to sit on during snack. (They each slide their box to a corner of the room.) They also sit on their boxes during their "Silent Reading" time.
It made me get choked up to see that a simple thing as a cushioned box brought so much joy to my first graders. This year has been overwhelming for all students whether learning from home or school.
Your generosity brought laughter and fun back into our classroom. They seem so happy when sitting on their special boxes.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Martin
This classroom project was brought to life by FamilyAlbum and 6 other donors.Print, Prep, Package: Sending Materials to Students in Need
Funded Aug 11, 2020I have been teaching for the past twenty-nine years and I could never have imagined how one virus could change the face of education in one fell swoop. The gap between the haves/have nots is now enormous! I never realized how many students have so few resources in their homes until now.
Through virtual learning, I have literally gotten a sneak peek into the lives and homes of my first grade students. The divide between those who have the necessary supplies/resources and those who do not is vast.
Thanks to your generous donation, I am able to create individual packets for my students to support or enhance their learning. I make packets of work/resources every month for my students. I create/copy specific activities geared just for them. Many students lack the necessary technology to keep up with on-line learning so I am able to print and package work for all of the students who need it in my classroom.
Parents are asked to pick up the packets or I deliver them to my students' homes. (Masks and gloves of course!)
Thank you for giving me the ability to enhance the lives of my sweet first graders.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Martin
This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 9 other donors.Valentines for Veterans
Funded Jan 29, 2020Your generosity helped SO many children understand that giving to others is an important lesson in life. My first graders and their fifth grade "Buddies" absolutely loved making cards for Veterans. We spent time discussing what a veteran was, the sacrifice they made for our country and the importance of showing gratitude to them through handmade valentines cards.
As the students worked, patriotic music played in the background. The students were lost in the excitement of using these new supplies! The "skinny" markers were a big hit and having enough supplies for everyone was wonderful!
Once all of the cards had been collected, I wrapped them with a bow and sent them off to the Veterans' hospital . I am sure whomever received them could feel the love and pride that was put into each card.
Again, thank you for making this activity possible.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Martin
Now That's Using Our Heads!
Funded Dec 19, 2018Who knew learning could be so much fun! We have been having the best time playing, Hedbanz. My class has been learning to ask great questions and to use context clues to help solve these riddles. They have also been busy learning to use timers, taking turns and sharing. My English language learners are being exposed to a variety of different vocabulary words and pictures to go along with these newly acquired words.
Students are helping one another and are laughing and having fun with one another. I have also been busy playing this game with my class and I have realized that it is a lot easier then it looks! We have even played this game with our "Big Buddies". It was wonderful to watch the first graders and fifth graders working together and having fun!
Thank you for giving my class these games and supplies. They are really enjoying themselves and they are learning a lot!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Martin
Children Who Make a Difference!
Funded Nov 27, 2018I don't think I have the words to express my deepest gratitude for your support in helping to fund this project. During this holiday season, I have been able to teach my students the true meaning of giving. I try to show them that although they are little, they can help change the world for the better and make a difference in the lives of people they have never met. Just the way you did for us!
Our first batch of decorations have already been delivered to one of the local nursing homes and we are now working on our next set of decorations for the second nursing home in our town.
Thank you for believing in us and in this project.
Happy Holidays!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Martin
My Handy-Dandy Everything Apron!
Funded Oct 18, 2018I wish you could have heard the cheers and shrieks from my first graders as I began to open the boxes full of goodies! As I put on my new "Handy Dandy" apron, I began to fill each pocket with the items that were purchased with the generous donations from all of you!
The apron is awesome! Everything I need for my students is right at my fingertips. If a child needs a new pencil, "Bam!" I can hand it right to them. If they need a popsicle stick to use to put spaces between their words...There you go! If another child earns a sticker for working hard, I just reach into my apron and hand it to them right away.
Basically, I am a walking desk. I love it because I can give my students exactly what they need, as soon as they need it.
Thank you for believing in my idea and for believing in my first graders.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Martin
As I Read, I See Me!
Funded Sep 9, 2018Reading in first grade is so different today than it was in the past. I no longer choose the stories my students will read, but rather I teach them how to select stories based on THEIR interests and abilities. Children no longer sit only at their desks to read, but rather they are spread out around the room, under tables, on rugs, with partners reading books that are a "Good Fit" book for them.
I wish I could have bottled and saved the energy and excitement that came from my students when the boxes of books began to arrive. Each day, I spread the books out and on the reading rug and allow students to select the books they wish to read. I walk around and ask them to tell me what they enjoy about the books. Many children have mentioned that they think they look like the "kid" in the story. I am also happy to see that my students are exposed to a variety of characters within these stories.
As the year progresses, I will use these books to teach "Character Analysis" and I will also use these stories to teach "Character Education". I am excited about using these new books because in my heart, I now feel I have resources to use that represent ALL of the children in my classroom. The students can now see themselves in the stories they read!
I am very grateful for your donations that made this possible!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Martin
This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 8 other donors.