Past projects 4
Amplify & Broadcast Our Student Voices
Funded Oct 17, 2024We are so grateful for the supplies and equipment we were able to get through Donor's Choose.
The microphone has helped us make the audio clear and loud for our weekly broadcasts. The students feel like famous YouTubers.
The blank books have sparked imagination and creativity, giving us more opportunities to let our students shine. Student products have included joke books, poetry collections and we even have a few graphic novels!
Thank you for your generosity and for support our school! Our students' voices were truly amplified!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Sanico
This classroom project was brought to life by Hawai'i State Dept. of Ed and Marc & Lynne Benioff.The Library Is for Everyone!
Funded Nov 17, 2023We, at Wheeler Elementary School Library, are so grateful for your donation to our project titled: "The Library is for Everyone." The items purchased have given our students voice and creative expression. Some of the extra activities we do in the library would not have been possible without the funding you provided.
Here are a few photos of the news crew, three different crews, showing off the backdrop we purchased via Donor's Choose. The lapel wireless mic has really helped us make the show better!
Thank you for your support and generosity!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Sanico
This classroom project was brought to life by Hawai'i State Department of Education.There's a Book for That.
Funded Mar 5, 2023Your donation to Wheeler Elementary Library's project, "There's a Book for That," has been a welcomed contribution to our school! The students love making buttons for self-representation and illustrating connections between books and themselves.
There was so much excitement when the materials arrived! Without being able to wait, two 5th graders helped get us started by assembling one of the machines! Recess soon became a very crowded space as students lined up to make buttons.
Not only have the buttons been a big hit, but the book displays gave student voice. They created our first student-led book display for Women's History Month. I love that the library is a place where students can represent who they are through art and book displays.
We are looking forward to this new school year as we will continue button making and have student designed book displays.
Thank you for your generous donation and for supporting students in Hawaii!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Sanico
This classroom project was brought to life by Hawai'i State Department of Education.Cute as Buttons
Funded Oct 28, 2022"Cute as Buttons" (my first fully funded Donors Choose project) was a big hit with my students. I introduced the button makers first with my fourth and fifth graders during library class. One of our books, "Not your all-American girl," has a character in the story who uses her button maker to express herself at specific parts in the story. After I shared the book excerpts, I showed them one of the button maker machines that I got from this project. The students were amazed. They had never seen such a device before. Then, we discussed what are some ideas the main character could have made to express herself after an audition she participated in. We had great conversations about how the buttons helped to portray a range of emotions from pride to regret. We then talked about symbols and images we could use to make our own buttons. Buttons could be worn or given away. They were so excited about the open-ended opportunity to create.
During borrowing time, many students went straight to the button making space to begin designing their own buttons. The conversations among the peers was vibrant. Students were sharing why they chose an object or why they put a word on the button. I could feel intimate bonding. Sometimes, an activity such as this is just what the students need to see each other, to be real, and to connect. It was magic. I am so thrilled that the library is the space where they can be this "seen."
During recess, students come in to make buttons. Some are championing their classroom by making buttons with their room number on it. Others made buttons to cheer up their parents (think coffee cup image). Some made personal initials and now they wear it proudly on their school lanyard. It's so wonderful to see them feeling free to express and create. The button maker and supplies have enable me to make the library an inviting and safe place for everyone to be themselves - and celebrate it. I believe we nailed the SEL purpose.
We will continue this project with the younger students next week and I will ask some older students to assist. More community building will occur as we take care of each other.
I could not have had this project in the library without your funding. The refills are costly and I don't have a budget for items like this. I am so grateful for being able to allow the students to make buttons. I know they are grateful as well.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Sanico
This classroom project was brought to life by Hawai'i State Department of Education.