Past projects 8
Flexible Seating for Neurodiversity
Funded Sep 26, 2023Thank you so much for your generous donation! My students were very surprised and full of gratitude when they saw two boxes delivered to our room. They asked if they could put the chairs together for me. However, the chairs were already assembled so they picked an area in our room to set up our new sensory break area.
We are using our sensory chairs in our daily routines. My students are able to complete independent computer work while sitting in these chairs. They are more focused, which promotes better quality of work. In addition, they are encouraged to take much needed brain breaks. The chairs look so comfortable! I often wish I could take a brain break on one of them.
Our next steps in our classroom is to incorporate other sensory opportunities into our daily routines. I want my students to brainstorm ideas on what would make them feel more comfortable in our room. This would encourage more ownership over their classroom.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Newman
This classroom project was brought to life by An Anonymous Supporter and 4 other donors.Cafe 108
Funded Sep 2, 2019Thank you for making Cafe 108 a reality! My students were really excited to open, organize, and use the materials for Cafe 108! Every Thursday we take orders and determine how much coffee, tea, and hot chocolate we need to make on Friday. My students organize all of the supplies that we need. If we are low on inventory, then they indicate what we need to purchase during our next Community Based Instruction trip to the local supermarket.
Every Friday we make coffee, tea, and hot chocolate and sell it to the adults at school. This helps us develop our math, social, vocational and transition skills. Transition skills help us be prepared for life after high school. In addition, Cafe 108 has increased our involvement in our school community. Inclusion is very important to us.
The next next step for this project would be to sell baked goods or small snack items. This is what my students proposed that we should do so I want to make sure this happens. We are extremely grateful for the generous donations. Thank you!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Newman
This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 7 other donors.Books Are Our Windows to Our World
Funded Dec 28, 2016Thank you so much for your generous donation! Our books have been of great value in our classroom. A lot of the books we received are multicultural books. These hep me put a multicultural spin to all of my lessons. Additionally, my students enjoy reading the books in our reading nook in order to relax after they complete their work.
Reading is very unique in our classroom. Students are functioning at different levels since we are a middle school Autistic Support classroom. Students frequently read the books together in order to increase their social skills. They enjoy listening and reading to the books.
One of my students enjoys reading about historic events. He frequently reads the books about the Titanic and famous role models. He is always asking to borrow a book or two in order to gain more knowledge. He frequently tells me how much he enjoys our new books.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Newman
Individualized Learning So We Can Keep Growing!
Funded Sep 12, 2016Thank you so much for donating to our project. The organizational cart has really helped me help differentiate instruction for my students with autism. We call them our "ELA IEP boxes" and "Math IEP boxes". We use this cart every day. I don't have to prompt my students to go get their drawer from the cart when we get to IEP work time. It is really a natural procedure during our day. I like that each student's drawer is color-coded. This helps them locate their drawer. Each drawer has work for each student to help them master their IEP goals.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Newman
This classroom project was brought to life by the estate of Dorothea Lutz and 4 other donors.Technology Can Save Lives!
Funded Dec 23, 2014My students haven't stopped bragging about our new "shiny" computers since the moment they arrived at our classroom. We use the laptops every day for enrichment or intervention. The students use several interactive computer programs that help develop reading and math skills. My students are always excited to use our laptops.
This technology has boosted not only my student achievement, but it has also helped me strengthen my teaching abilities. The laptops completed our mobile computer lab. I am able to work with about three small guided reading groups daily while the other students are on the computers. I'm able to switch groups smoothly because of my students' motivation to learn using technology.
My students and I cannot express our gratitude enough. Thank you for being awesome and believing in us!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Newman
This classroom project was brought to life by Kia and 3 other donors.Updated Books and a Peaceful Reading Nook Needed
Funded Dec 13, 2014Thank you so much for believing in my young scholars! My first graders are in love with their new reading nook that includes updated books. They are constantly bragging about their books and beanbags. My students are really motivated to read and improve their reading abilities.
I have included our reading nook throughout our daily schedule. My students use it during our literacy center time. They read to themselves or with a partner. This has really empowered my lower performing students to really want to read, which is really exciting.
Teachers need to encourage all students to want to read and this project did exactly that. My students and I send our deepest gratitude. We look forward to using our new materials throughout the school year.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Newman
Projector for my 2nd Grade Class
Funded Sep 11, 2013Thank you so much for helping me update my classroom! Prior to receiving this projector I felt like I was teaching in the 1950's! This could not have happened without your kind donations. The projector has allowed me to teach the content while keeping up with modern technology. Also, the projector has allowed me to integrate multiple learning styles into my lessons. A lot of my students are auditory learners (learn by hearing), so this will increase their acquisition of knowledge.
My students will be exposed to primary sources during our history lessons. This is really important because it is really difficult to describe events that have happened in our past without pictures or videos. Also, we will be able to see science experiments conducted because sometimes it is difficult to conduct these in our classroom. My students and I send our greatest gratitude to you! You rock!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Newman
Magazines For My Wonderful Fifth Graders!
Funded Oct 20, 2010Thank you for your generosity in giving my students the opportunity to expand their knowledge through the use of the Times For Kids and the Weekly Reader. My students are confined to the materials at are supplied by the prescribed curricula set by the school district. We have very little science and social studies materials. These magazines open my students' eyes to new discoveries in the science world and social issues. We've been using the magazines during small group work. This allows me to provide small-group instruction in identifying the main idea, conflict, cause and effect, and summarizing the text. The most important thing is that my 5th graders are excited to read each article! Anything that makes my students eager to learn receives an A+ in my book!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Newman