Past projects 21
Children Chop & Chomp
Funded May 3, 2019I want to thank you so much for supporting this project. The students were overjoyed and filled with enthusiasm. As part of an enrichment group in our school, teachers have an opportunity to share a talent or skill that can be experienced with a small group of students. Cooking is such an important life skill that every child should know how to do it. It helps us to make healthier eating options and can be so much fun.
The students came into the classroom that was set-up to look like a cooking station or mini-kitchen. They said, "Wow, all of this for us? This is amazing." They truly felt like little chefs. The students were so excited to put on the aprons and chef hats to begin the cooking experience. They smiling and laughing the entire time. Students had the opportunity to make lunch and to collaborate with friends to make an awesome lunch.
Students learned how to make wraps and smoothies. We used the cutting boards and kid-friendly knives to chop lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, and onions. The students had a variety of fruits and vegetables to make healthy wraps and fruit smoothies. The impact this had on the students was even greater than what I anticipated. Students noticed that cooking is hard work and they were appreciative of the effort shown by their families to prepare meals. It helps to reinforce both reading and math skills. This was such an amazing experience for the students.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Williams
This classroom project was brought to life by OshKosh B'gosh and one other donor.Make Time to Read TIME!
Funded Sep 10, 2017Thank you so much for your generous donation. Time for Kids is a great classroom resource to keep kids current about global events, in addition to supporting our nonfiction unit. We set aside time each week to read the articles independently and we focus on the cover story as a class. The great part is the incorporation of the digital aspect, which allows the level of the text to be adjusted as well as read aloud to the students so that all students including english language learners and students with disabilities get to enjoy the articles as well.
Time for Kids articles are helpful in encouraging research projects and ideas for the students during genius hour. This is the time when students get to explore ideas that are of interest them. Ive noticed many of the ideas are prompted from what students are reading and learning in the Time for Kids magazines.
My students really love to read, but they are not that excited about reading nonfiction. This resource has been very useful in getting students interested in reading nonfiction text. The articles are rich and incorporate many of the text features that we want students to use on order to comprehend what they are reading.
I am excited to see what projects and ideas the students will come up with this year as a result of reading the Time for Kids magazines. My students and I are very grateful to all the donors that gave to this project to ensure that we had access to a quality resource that challenges and holds the interests of its readers.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Williams
This classroom project was brought to life by TIME and 9 other donors.Let's Move...It's Recess!
Funded Oct 14, 2013I want to send you a sincere thanks for supporting this project. In this day and age where so much emphasis is being put on education; we are forgetting about the importance of physical wellness and the impact it has on academics. Research has shown repeatedly that students who are physically fit and eat healthy tend to do better in school.
Unfortunately, the majority of my class is inactive. I have to force some of them to go to physical education. They only have 20 minutes of recess daily. However, with your help the new equipment has motivated many of them to become more active in gym class and during recess.
Thank you for supporting the wellness and success of the whole child.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Williams
Color Our Classroom
Funded Oct 29, 2015Thank you so much for the art supplies. This holiday season the glue, scissors, paint, paintbrushes and glitter came in handy as students had an opportunity to be very creative. We created snow globes and created holiday cards using the art supplies. The students were so excited. They were singing Christmas carols and smiling while working on their projects. Although, glitter was everywhere and we left for break sparkling. The kids had an amazing time. This would not have been possible without your generous donation and contribution to arts in the classroom.
Once again, this reinforces how important art is in education. Students need more opportunities to be able to express themselves artistically. Students are engaged and learn through experimenting, instead of waiting on directions from the teacher. They learn by doing.
I have remained true to making sure my students have an opportunity to incorporate art into their learning. Instead of art being a luxury, it is part of the building blocks of developing young minds to be thinkers, creators, and innovators.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Williams
Techie Needs Technology
Funded Dec 31, 2015Thank you so much for providing my classroom with a digital printer. This printer allows me to print from any device including my I-pad. All you need is a WI-Fi connection. A printer is a very basic form of technology used in schools; however it has helped tremendously in the classroom. With the Samsung mobile app, students can print information from tablets and I-pads for a host of purposes. One of the awesome features is I can print from anywhere. If I will need a worksheet or would like to show a picture to students, I can print from my phone and when I get to my classroom it will be there. Another great feature is that it has the capacity for cardstock as well. It prints 28 pages per minute. I can have a class set of worksheets in less than a minute.
Students still need to learn how to utilize the printer using our I-pad center. Many students just want to print to print. We have to set some rules on items that need to be printed and a 1-2 page minimum. Once they get practice with the procedures this will help them to be more independent especially with researching information. I plan to have them really use the printer to do research on a famous African-American for Black History Month. If they are able to type their projects at home, they can e-mail them and print them at school. Many students have access to a computer, but no printer so this will help with at-home projects as well.
We wouldn't be able to do these types of projects right in our own classroom without the support of your generous donation.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Williams
Practice Makes Perfect
Funded Jun 24, 2015I want to thank you so much for your generous donation. We are a growing school and lack resources. The students were very excited to have their own sleeve, marker and eraser. I explained to them that a generous woman donated these materials to us. Isn't that awesome? They agreed!
Your donation has helped so much with daily practice in both literacy and math. I have cut down on the number of photocopies that are being made as well. In addition, the students love being able to write on the sleeves, erase and do it all over again. They don't even realize they are practicing. It's amazing how these tools increase student engagement. It's amazing! I can tell right away who is understanding the concepts and who isn't. I can use it whole class, small group instruction and one to one. Students can easily brush mistakes away and start again. I am planning to incorporate it more in writing to help with daily writing and editing. Students will benefit from using them during center time in place of photocopies. I can make one copy. Have students put the copy in the sleeve and then have them self-correct, erase and do it again.
The materials are excellent quality and durable so I know they will last this year, and hopefully next year as well. Once again, thank you for supporting the education of some amazing 3rd graders.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Williams
Designing Library Spaces
Funded Aug 26, 2014I would like to begin by sincerely thanking you for your generous donation. Your donation helped us create a reading nook for students during independent reading time. The students were very excited when they saw the new carpet, beanbag chair and book bins. Every day the students wait anxiously to be able to sit in the reading nook area. Only 3 to 4 students can fit comfortably in the space, but sometimes they pile up in the corner just to be in that area to read.
It has created a warm, cozy feeling in our classroom. It has helped to motivate some of my reluctant readers to want to read.
Now that we have more book bins, I can add more books to our library. Students will have an even greater selection of books to choose from.
I love read aloud time even more and my students are more eager now that we have a carpet and special reading area.
Once again, thank you for supporting a group of lifelong readers and learners.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Williams
Small Group Instruction Yields Big Results
Funded Jul 14, 2013The whiteboard paddles and markers are a success in both whole and small group instruction. The students ask to use them every day, especially in math class. It is a quick way to assess students and they have an opportunity to try multiple times to solve problems accurately.
These resources are mainly used during math instruction. Specifically, during math practice sets in which students solve a series of math problems that are timed. Students hold up their paddles and I can provide immediate feedback. It is also very useful during small group instruction. Students can show their work and model for the other students. Students can quiz each other. In ELA, they can write short phrases and responses, and share ideas with each other. Students also use them during free time for recreational purposes.
This project has helped to increase student engagement. It helps all students to participate and be actively involved in class lessons. It has helped my ability to assess students quickly and provide multiple opportunities for students to practice skills in a fun way.
We use these resources every day in the classroom. We are very appreciative and thankful for your generosity.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Williams
Keeping it Real; Adding Nonfiction Books to Library
Funded Jul 27, 2012I am very appreciative of your generous donation. It is critical to encourage and motivate our students to read. No matter how advanced technology gets, nothing beats the joy of getting a crisp, brand new book. The students were so excited that they huddled around the box with anticipation. I just let them grab and go. We are in the process of building the mobile library.
Reading is the key to academic success. The students are making more of an effort to increase the amount of nonfiction that they read independently in the classroom. They are aware of the new standards and understand that they will have to read and understand nonfiction text. With these new books, I can show them that nonfiction doesn't just consist of animals, but life. The students and I are excited. We have already delved into this priceless gift of reading and learning.
Once again, thank you and know that a group of students are keeping it real by increasing and enjoying the amount of nonfiction they read.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Williams
This classroom project was brought to life by Wells Fargo and one other donor.Learning is Fun
Funded Sep 15, 2012Dear Shelby, Kevin, Charles, Dion, Cathi, Abby and KIA Motors,
Thank you so much for your generous donation. My students are so excited about the games. The games are an essential part to our "free time Friday". Many of the students have never played these games before so we are learning while having fun. The students are playing and problem solving.
During this time of "tight times", I am so happy that generous donors like you make education a priority. Your generous contribution has allowed a group of students to experience the classic board games that we all grew up with. Donors like you understand that education comes in all forms.
I want you to know that you have contributed to endless hours of laughter and joy among a group of deserving students.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Williams
This classroom project was brought to life by Kia Motors America and 6 other donors.