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Past projects 12

  • EReaders are Beneficial

    Funded Mar 11, 2016

    I can't thank you all enough for your generous donations to make the E-Readers a reality for my students! They came today and the kids are so excited! These will be beneficial to not only my struggling readers but to my whole class! All the students enjoy reading on a Kindle. They are learning how to use the vocabulary function and the highlighting function. As an example, I use my own Kindle in reading group showing them how to use each function and what features will help them. Some of them are bringing their own Kindles and have begun using them in reading group. I can see and improvement in both their reading as well as their enthusiasm toward reading.

    Technology is part of the world they grew up in and using an E-Reader seems to come natural to them. They pick up quickly on how to use the features and use them on their own. I love seeing them get excited about reading! It's funny, when I call one reading group, kids from the other reading group groan in disappointment because they wanted to be called first. The E-readers are truly motivating! They can use the note taking function to answer questions or pose questions while they are reading. These become the basis for discussion during group time. They are able to look back through the text at things that they highlighted and find text support. With some students who are currently using their own Kindles (or one of mine), I have begun to show them how to use different colors for different types of highlighting. They can use blue for questions they may have, pink for passages they had trouble understanding , green mark interesting passages they want to share and yellow for vocabulary with which they still need help.

    These E-Readers will allow all students access to these features as I loaded all the novels we are reading on them and they leave them at the reading table for the next group. I am excited to be able to keep up with the technology in their world while teaching them reading skills.

    Again, I thank each and every one of you for your generosity and for caring enough to support my students! This sets a great example for them of what it means to "Give Back" and "Pay it Forward".”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Johnson

    This classroom project was brought to life by #BestSchoolDay and 8 other donors.
  • Share the Love of Reading

    Funded Dec 25, 2015

    Thank you all so much for your donations to fund our reading project. The students are very excited in anticipation of the books. Now that the Winter break is over, students are looking for fresh reading material to enjoy. Through these books, they will be able to learn about the setting, central idea and character development.

    As a teacher, I am so thankful to be able to share the needs of the students and have such a wonderful response. Your support is very much appreciated.

    Not only are my students learning with the materials provided but they are also learning a valuable lesson about life through your example. They are fascinated that people that they don't know from all over the country have taken the time to read about their needs and support them. Seeing and being the recipient of various people giving back to the community is definitely a lesson that I want them to learn.”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Johnson

  • Wiggle While You Learn

    Funded Nov 18, 2015

    Our chairs arrived this morning to a roaring round of applause! The kids are so excited and THEY discussed who should get the new chairs. It was great to see the thought that went in to their decision and I think they did well with the choices! Although we have only had them a couple of hours, I can see an improvement already! There aren't students sitting on their knees and having difficulty focusing on their work. Thanks to you and your generosity, they have an outlet for their need to fidget! They are very protective of their chairs and at the same time are not being "showy"

    Our Guidance Counselor came in and noticed as well. She is going to try to get the District Guidance Department to fund a few more chairs for the lower grades. Thank you for helping our class be the innovators and helping others see that there are ways to stay focused without "sitting still" all the time!My kids are awesome and are very excited. I am thrilled that there are wonderful people out there that are willing to help out kids "just because." Not only have you fulfilled our class request, you have set a wonderful example of generosity and compassion!

    Thank you so very much!”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Johnson

  • Exploring the Microscopic World

    Funded Mar 7, 2015

    Thank you so much for your support in funding the projection microscope. My students have had a blast looking at frog eggs and plant cells as well as micro-organisms found in the bog by our school. In addition to being able to project the image on to our Smart Board and allow a better visual for the students. This microscope will also allow them to take digital pictures of what they are viewing. Teaching this unit with this microscope has made it much easier for students to access the information and delve deeper in to investigations and comparisons rather than spend so much time trying to find and focus their microscope. The digital pictures have allowed them to take their observations home for further study/comparison.

    Thank you again for your support of my class. My students are truly benefiting!”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Johnson

  • Future Authors

    Funded Jul 23, 2014

    Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I can't tell you how much your generosity in funding this project means to my students and to me!

    They are already using them without being reminded and have discovered that writing can be fun! They enjoy finding new words. If someone finds a word they really think is awesome, we implement the NEW WORD of the DAY. Student try to use that word (appropriately) throughout the day! It's great because they are increasing their vocabulary as well as their writing skills!

    The Thesaurus' have been used to describe settings and characters. They have written several narratives so far this year and it's great to see them reach for a thesaurus on their own. When they are working in partners, I have heard them say, "Let's check the thesaurus for a different word." The best part is listening to the discussion as to which word to use...they each have their opinion but they make their case and eventually they agree.

    Each year, my students write stories that we have "published" and made in to a hardback book. I can't wait until they write their books this year! I am looking forward to some amazing stories!

    Thank you again for supporting my students and supporting me as an educator. I truly appreciate it.”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Johnson

  • Young Scientists on the Rise.

    Funded Jul 2, 2013

    I just wanted to thank you again for your generosity and support! My students are thrilled with the materials! We have used several of them in a rocket lab. Because of your donations, they were able to explore different ways that energy is stored and released and then apply that to creating their own rocket. They were so excited and the results were amazing! There were kids who were reuctant at first suddenly seem to blossom and becme very active in the group investigations! We haven't used the Marbles or the Space Lander yet but the students have looked at them and can't wait until those projects come up!

    These materials have enabled me to allow my students the independence to explore, design and create rather than watch a demonstration or read about rockets in a book. That kind of learning is so much more beneficial! I am truly appreciative for the opportunity you have given my students!”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Johnson

  • Future Engineers

    Funded Sep 7, 2012

    Thank you so much for funding our project. These Science materials will go far in helping my students become independent thinkers. I am incorporating many STEM activities this year and the students are having a blast. The are making amazing observations and asking some very intriguing questions. They are excited to test things and take what i present to the next kevel by testing their wondering. The materials you have provided will allow them to do just that! They are thinking like Scienctists and delving deeper in to the concepts. This curiosity is beginning to transfer across the curriculum. They are asking "what if" questions in Math, Reading and Social Studies! The problem solving and collaboration is becoming second nature (and it's only the third week of school!) .

    I am also working with our staff to help them incorporate STEM activities in their classes. When they see how engaged my students are, they are eager to go back and try things in their class. Not only have the materials inspired my students but my students, in turn, have inspired my colleagues! Thank you again for opening the world of exploration, for my students. Science, Technology, Engineering and Math have defined my class this year. Your support means so much!”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Johnson

    This classroom project was brought to life by Kia Motors America and one other donor.
  • Exploring Our World

    Funded Aug 17, 2011

    Thank you so much for your help in getting the needed supplies for our Science class. The kids are really excited and can't wait to start using them! Hands-on Science experiments are so important for our students. They not only learn about the world around them but they develop critical thinking skills and begin to ask higher level questions that lead to more investigation. The owl pellets are a terrific way for students to understand the food chain. They will actually be dissecting the pellets and identifying the bones that they find to determine what animals are hunted by the owl. This allows them to begin seeing the relationship between predator and prey and seeing their world from a different perspective. The rocks and minerals unit is always a high interest unit for the kids and having the materials to grow crystals from different types of minerals only adds to their curiosity and excitement.

    It's really nice to know that people like you support our students. A good education is priceless and our kids deserve every opportunity that's available. I am more than appreciative of your generosity and support. I sincerely thank you for making our Science class come alive!

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Johnson

  • Reading Is Fundamental

    Funded Dec 31, 2010

    Thank you so much for your contributions to our class. The books arrived last week and the kids really love them! * of my girls have already read Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat. They thought the book was funny and loved reading it! They have even gone on-line to see if there is a second book! Currently, they are reading The Secret Order of the Gumm Street Girls and are intrigued by the references to the Wizard of OZ.

    The Magic Theif books are a big hit as well. There are seven boys in that group and they are reading up a storm! They have decided to dress like the characters in the book when we meet as a group. All of them have designed and made a Wizard Magisters robe with their own insignia on it so they look like the Magisters in the book. They are really getting in to the book and finding out that books can take you many places. When we finish reading in the group, they are disappointed that we are finished and ask if they can read more at home. It's not often that students, especially 5th grade boys, actually ask for homework!

    The group reading the Spiderwick Chronicles will begin book 2 tomorrow. There were only four students in that group but as they read the book and talked about it so much that four more students have joined the group! As a project for the first book, they created a ceiling tile based on the book see the uploaded photos) that will be replacing a tile in our classroom ceiling. They are so excited!

    I am truly thankful for your donations and for giving my students the opportunity to read high interest books!”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Johnson

  • 5th grade Photo-journalists

    Funded Apr 21, 2010

    Thank you so much for helping to fund our photojournalist project. My students have been working on individual photo biographies,,,scanning photos of themselves throughout their elementary school career. Many of these students have seen many changes in this school as they began attending when the school was over 50 years old and in desperate need of renovation. They were housed at a Middle School for two years during that renovation and this year, they are the first class  to graduate from the new building. Each student has their own story and, thanks to your generosity, we will now be able to print out their storyboards and display their personal photo-biographies at their 5th grade graduation. My students are so excited that their photo-biographies are going to be able to be on display for their families to see at their graduation. I can't thank you enough for making that possible. I am so thankful for donors such as you who see the importance of giving every opportunity to our students as they are our future”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Johnson

    This classroom project was brought to life by Pershing Square and 7 other donors.
I teach 4th grade in a small public school (about 310 students) in a rural area. Our staff works hard and our parents are very supportive.Like all schools, funding is an issue. Our PTA is extremely generous but they too are limited. Our staff works hard and our parents are very supportive. More importantly, our students are enthusiastic and eager to learn! My students are full of wonder and I am committed to help our students soar by providing opportunities that they would otherwise never get.

About my class

I teach 4th grade in a small public school (about 310 students) in a rural area. Our staff works hard and our parents are very supportive.Like all schools, funding is an issue. Our PTA is extremely generous but they too are limited. Our staff works hard and our parents are very supportive. More importantly, our students are enthusiastic and eager to learn! My students are full of wonder and I am committed to help our students soar by providing opportunities that they would otherwise never get.

About my class

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