Mrs. Best-Blanton's Classroom Edit display name

Current requests

Past projects 34

• Mid-Year Update

  Funded Feb 1, 2025

  Thank you so much for your contributions to our classroom. We are delighted to continue our hard work with these supplies. Though it doesn’t seem like much, these supplies are essential to the cleanliness and efficiency of our classroom and its routine. As we say at our school we are STRONGER TOGETHER!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Best-Blanton

• Personal Care Kits for Our Growing Kids

  Funded Oct 19, 2024

  The personal care kits provided by this project have made a meaningful impact on our students, aligning perfectly with their health education curriculum as they learn about self-care and body changes. Each student received a kit containing essential items such as deodorant, body wipes, and lip balm, while those in need also had access to feminine hygiene products. These kits not only fulfilled a practical need but also underscored important conversations around hygiene, self-respect, and self-confidence. Our students were excited and appreciative when they received their personal care kits, with many expressing gratitude for the thoughtful and inclusive support. This moment served as a reminder of how a simple gesture can promote dignity and respect for all students during this critical time of growth and change.

  The immediate impact of the kits has been evident in the confidence our students exhibit. During health lessons, we observed students engaging more openly in discussions about personal hygiene, puberty, and self-care routines. The physical resources provided a tangible connection to the topics being covered, reinforcing the importance of developing lifelong healthy habits. For many of our students, having access to these items in school has lifted a burden, creating a safe and supportive environment that meets both their educational and personal needs.

  Looking ahead, we plan to continue integrating personal wellness discussions into our curriculum. By fostering a classroom culture that prioritizes self-care, body positivity, and mutual respect, we are helping our students navigate this crucial period of growth with confidence and understanding. Thank you to our donors for recognizing this vital need and for giving our students the opportunity to thrive, both academically and personally.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Best-Blanton

  This classroom project was brought to life by The Peterson Family and 11 other donors.

• Furnishing 4th Grade

  Funded Aug 14, 2024

  The new supplies provided by this project have transformed my classroom and created an organized, student-friendly environment that supports both engagement and learning. The Sterilite 3-Drawer Storage Towers have been a game-changer in managing materials for each homeroom. Each group now has its own designated space for supplies, which promotes responsibility and ensures a smooth transition throughout the day as students move between classes. During our first science project of the year, students used their organized drawers to quickly access lab materials, allowing us to focus more on hands-on experiments rather than searching for supplies. Their excitement and newfound independence have truly set a positive tone for the year.

  The rolling desk has been equally impactful, giving me the flexibility to move around the room and interact with students while keeping important resources within reach. Whether I'm assisting with Virginia Studies map activities or leading a science experiment, I can connect more directly with students, encouraging participation and engagement. The electric pencil sharpener has also been a favorite, with students amazed by its speed and efficiency. They can now quickly get back to their tasks with sharp pencils ready for note-taking or detailed drawings.

  Next, we'll be diving deeper into hands-on science experiments and expanding our Virginia Studies curriculum with projects that require collaboration and critical thinking. Thanks to the thoughtful contributions of our donors, we have a classroom equipped for success, where organization and flexibility lead to more meaningful learning experiences. Thank you for helping create a welcoming and efficient learning space that meets the needs of every student.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Best-Blanton

  This classroom project was brought to life by The Gates Foundation and 7 other donors.

• Don't Stop Reading!

  Funded Sep 18, 2024

  This project has been a game-changer for our classroom, providing new opportunities for our students to engage with reading and science in deeper, more meaningful ways. Thanks to the generous contributions, we now have a diverse collection of books in various languages, making it easier to welcome and include every student in our learning environment. These books have supported our English learners by offering resources in their first languages, which helps build confidence and encourages more active participation. For example, during a recent reading session, a student who had been hesitant to read in English was thrilled to find a book in Spanish and eagerly shared it with a small group, practicing bilingual reading skills. This connection fosters community, confidence, and deeper comprehension for all.

  Reading in our classroom has become an exciting journey with new texts that align with both our curriculum and students' lives. We use interactive notebooks during science lessons, allowing students to record observations and connect what they're learning to the books in our library. Whether exploring historical narratives like "Blood on the River: James Town, 1607" to complement social studies lessons or diving into social-emotional texts like "A Kids Book About Trauma," students are developing empathy, critical thinking, and language skills. One student, who struggled with expressing emotions, found comfort in the social-emotional books and now participates more in class discussions about feelings.

  Thanks to this project, we have been able to cultivate a more inclusive, engaging, and student-centered learning environment. The new resources allow us to tailor lessons that resonate with each child, making them feel seen, heard, and valued. This has transformed not just how we teach, but how our students learn, collaborate, and connect with one another. Thank you to all our donors for helping make our classroom a place where every child can thrive!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Best-Blanton

  This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community & an Anonymous Partner and 3 other donors.

• Mad about Measurement and Shapes!

  Funded May 6, 2024

  With the support of your generous contributions, our second-grade classroom has been able to transform our measurement unit into a truly hands-on learning experience. Adding weights, measurement scales, and geometry tools has brought math to life for our students. During our first activity, students eagerly lined up to use the dual-dial analog platform scales to compare the weights of classroom objects, from pencils to toy blocks. Their excitement was palpable as they recorded their findings and compared results with peers. They practiced weighing solids and liquids using the blue nestable pan balance, which helped them understand the difference between types of measurement and brought clarity to what can sometimes be an abstract concept.

  One memorable moment occurred when a student, previously struggling with balancing and reading scales, lit up after successfully using the pan balance to measure liquids. He proudly exclaimed, "I did it! It's balanced!" This simple moment exemplifies how practical tools can demystify complex ideas and create lasting connections. Moving forward, we plan to deepen their understanding of geometry using the reflective GeoMirrors for symmetry and shape tracing. Our next steps include projects where students measure, weigh, and explore geometry to solve real-world problems, fostering a foundation of curiosity and confidence in math. Thank you for making this impactful learning possible!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Best-Blanton

  This classroom project was brought to life by General Motors and 4 other donors.

• Winter Workers Update

  Funded Nov 28, 2023

  Thank you so much for your contributions to this project. Our new supplies made a major difference in the classroom. Students were able to demonstrate their learning on anchor charts and dry-erase pockets.

  Students were able to have snacks for a few weeks around breaks. We loved ending our fossils unit with the Dinosaur Eggs Dig Kit and using our knowledge and imagination to be a paleontologist for an afternoon.

  The Teachers Pay Teachers gift card, allowed me to find some resources to support students' work and find new resources to use.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Best-Blanton

  This classroom project was brought to life by Kleenex and one other donor.

• Write on Readers!

  Funded Feb 14, 2024

  Thank you so much for your contributions to this project. Students were very excited to build a new routine for stations mid-year after updating our grouping of students from our walk-to-read interventions. Students stored their supplies in one of three crates- writing, independent reading bags, and word work notebooks. The resource books that I ordered, were items I could use to help differentiate groups based on their ability level.

  Now that we are approaching the end of the year, most of my students have shown tremendous growth compared to their level at the beginning. 6 students are performing significantly above grade level and many others are catching up to being on grade level for next year.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Best-Blanton

• Accessing Amira

  Funded May 8, 2023

  Thank you so much for donating to our classroom. We use an adaptive program called Amira. This program listens to students read it, tracks their accuracy, and aids in correcting or coaching students through any errors made. Using our microphone headphones allows students to be heard more accurately and get better feedback about their reading. My students who use this program have shown growth and have improved their fluency average.

  As we continue the year, I hope my students will continue to grow using this program and advancing their skills.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Best-Blanton

  This classroom project was brought to life by General Motors Corporation and 3 other donors.

• MATH Players Gonna Play!

  Funded Aug 16, 2023

  Thank you so much for your contributions to our classroom. Our students love having these math materials to expand student understanding and love of math.

  Students have used Numtanga as fluency practice. Our Clumsy Thief games and Ono 99 have been great games for students to enjoy learning math skills during our stations. We have been using basic supplies like markers and dry-erase pockets to practice together and model our work. The Teachers Pay Teachers gift card allows me to save time by instead of creating resources, I can instead focus on working with groups and differentiating their work.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Best-Blanton

  This classroom project was brought to life by The SONIC Foundation and one other donor.