GrrlScientist's Biology is Life Challenge

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This letter is such a small token to show how much your donation has meant to my students and my school. The listening center is used almost every day. If it is not used in my classroom then it is wheeled across the hall for the another class to benefit from. This give our students the opportunity to comprehend a story that is difficult to read alone. Without the listening center, my students would not be able to listen to the background audio and other resources that came with the reading text. Building background information is a big component in reading comprehension. This listening center also helps with pronunciation when studying cultural differences.

Our school is a semi-small school with a high number of socio-economic status. I could have never provided my students with this equipment without the generosity from you. Please accept this letter as my gratitude and appreciation of your donation. Without people like you, our classrooms would be less likely to excel in the 21st century learning skills. Thank you for your help.”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Salisbury

Everyone thought we were crazy and some even said, "oh, you will only see a few pigeons", but they were all wrong.

On a cool winter day, my class of fifth graders and I headed out to a local park for our first REAL birdwatching trip. We have been birdwatching before, in your school yard and out our classroom windows, but this time we were heading to a real park with authentic birdwatching binoculars. At first it was cool as we all walked the trail, but the weather was soon no longer important as we heard our first bird call. It was the call of a downy woodpecker and as we all stood as still as possible --

We saw it!

Everyone rushed to raise their binoculars and get a good look. From then on, it just got better and better. We saw a few red-bellied woodpeckers and a tufted titmouse. We studied the birds' behaviors and the way they looked. We watched unsuccessfully to spot the local Great Horned Owl. It was a fantastic day. Not only did my class enjoy a wonderful birding experience, it awakened in them an interest that will possibly last a lifetime.

Your donation made all of this possible! You made the difference in the lives of these students. They did not worry about the cold and they did not see one pigeon; instead they became young ornithologists. We have another trip planned for the spring, when the weather will hopefully be warmer. Everyone is looking forward to it; some students have even began studying about some local birds they hope to see next time.

I cannot thank you enough. My students just love the binoculars and they really enjoyed birdwatching. You made all this possible. I think the best part of the day was when one student told me she was going to ask for her own set of binoculars for her birthday. Birdwatching might just have changed her life. She has learned to appreciate nature; what a great lesson! Thank you all for making it a reality. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generosity. Thanks for giving and in the future, please think of giving again -- so many students benefit from DonorsChoose. Thanks again.”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Lombardo

Thank you so much for your generous donation of preserved cow eyes and safety goggles for my science classroom. My students and I thoroughly enjoyed and learned so much about the parts of a cow eye by dissecting them. This was my first time as a science teacher to dissect cow eyes with my students. It was a truly amazing experience!

Through the help of your generous donation, my students were able to learn using a "hands-on" approach. My students were extremely excited during the dissection and it is my feeling that they learned so much more my actually dissecting an eye instead of just reading about the cow eye out of a book.

The safety goggles are a considerable improvement over our old safety glasses. Our old glasses did not fit my students well. The adjustable goggles are wonderful for my students and the bright colors seem to make the students keep them on better than before. Not only did we use the safety goggles for the cow eye dissection, but we are also able to use them for other experiments such as chemical reactions. Once again, thank you for your donation. Without your help, my students would not have had the great experience of dissecting a cow eye.”

With gratitude,

Mr. McClellan

I just want to make sure you know how grateful I am for the donations you made for my students. We were able to do some dissecting the past two weeks and my students were absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to actually see bones from animals and the internal organs of a frog.

Our budget for science supplies has be $0.00 for the past 6 years and it has been very difficult for our students to get the necessary experiences they need to have a successful background in science to compete with their peers in science courses and careers. Your donation helped them to prepare for high school science and be successful. I am not sure you will ever be able to understand the full impact of the donations you have given us, all I can say is that we are VERY lucky.

Thank you again for helping my students!

Lori Voelker”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Voelker

Thank you for giving to our egg hatching project.  We received the supplies and the children and I looked everything over and discussed the project.  They are very excited and curious to know what each supply was used for.  We live in a part of the country that is cold and snowy at this time so we will hatch in the spring.

  I did this project last year but our supplies  did not work very well and the hatching ratio was really low.  This year our success rate will be higher due to your help. 

This project impacts young minds in many ways.  It gives them the opportunity to experience the life cycle of living animals.  We have photos of how the chick looks at each of the 21 days so one student will open the plastic egg and we compare the changes that occur.  Around day 21 we begin to really observe because the hatching begins.  The children are so excited.  They come to school early and take their family's with to see the hatching.  They also want to name each chick and hold them.  They write about the process and they have conversations with each other that are so full of science learning.  Other classes take tours of our room to see the hatching project. 

Through your donation you have given children a valuable learning experience.  One they will remember for years to come.  And the best part is that this equipment will be used for many years and will impact many children.

So it is with heartfelt thanks that I send this message.  Your commitment to education is priceless”

With gratitude,

Mrs. LaFave

This is just a small token of my gratitude for your generous donation to my classroom. The science and social studies theme boxes that you donated have helped my students to be able to learn science and social studies concepts through hands-on experiences. The boxes have all the materials necessary to teach a theme and this is making it easier for us all to learn new concepts. My students are so excited to be able to dive into the boxes and learn. We are currently using the Community Helpers theme box and it has been a wonderful addition to the lessons we already have been teaching. Students were able to use hands-on materials to learn about the different community workers and then we have been experiencing the community workers in their work environments. We have visited a auto garage and a post office worker has stopped by so far. The students were able to use objects or pictures from the theme boxes in these experiences and use them to ask questions or show their knowledge. It has been really fun watching them learn.

Our school is currently facing a huge budget shortfall, so without your help, my students would never have had this wonderful resource. For students with Developmental Cognitive Disabilities becoming independent and being able to learn the same concepts as their regular education peers is so important.

Without donors like you, classrooms and students would not have the opportunity to get valuable resources. I do not have enough words to express my thanks for your generous gift.

”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Bjostad

Our "Scoops of Love" project was truly embraced by the staff. Students scooped ice cream in cups and working as a team they learned how important prep work and organization can be in a kitchen.

Each group of students was responsible for creating an ice cream sauce. The sauces included Hot Fudge, Carmel, Strawberry, Chocolate Mint and Peanutbutter. Sauces were kitchen tested earlier in the week and adjustments were made. Nuts were chopped, chocolate chips and sprinkles measured.

One group of students was responsible for room set up. They decorated the room with blue tablecloths, old ice cream soda and sundae dishes and a picture of the deceased in his "soda jerk" uniform.

Everyone enjoyed the event and asked that we plan another. I was overwhelmed by the support of the staff. We were able to raise $600.00 for our scholarship fund.

Students learned not only the preparation of dessert sauces, but how good it feels to be part of an acting, caring, community.

Thank you for supporting this project.”

With gratitude,

Ms. T.