Classroom Science Around The Clock

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this has been the coolest project ever. Students were so interested in the alternative energy that they took the kit outside to experiment further rather than play ball at recess. They were fascinated that wind, light, etc. could produce energy. We even got an electricity meter, where they measured the output from the different sources of light in the classroom, at the window, and out at the playground. Students now still want to experiment to see if they come up with new hypotheses and constantly experiment if it really works.

Also other classes and grades have been interested in the new "toys" that my students have and it has sparked an interest in the younger children on how it all works.

I know that I can't tell you all the details, and I hope the pictures convey a little how much excitement for alternative energy you have created and how they are sparking the scientific minds in my classroom.

Thank you so much.”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Hildel-reyes

We have really enjoyed our rocks and minerals unit this year!! It has been hands on every day, something that we haven't been able to do in the past.

Our students were able to look at examples of minerals and all types of rocks (metamorphic, sedimentary and igneous). Each of my small groups had their own examples to look at during the unit. They were also able to test mineral properties instead of just reading about them. We were able to use the rock samples for many experiments. The students were really surprised that pumice could actually float!

Our class was very excited to use their field guide to help them identify rocks from around our area. Many times since completing the unit, I have had students run up to me while at recess with a rock wanting to go and identify it. We could not have had as successful of a unit without your help. I think we have definitely created future geologists! I can't wait to use these with my class next year! Thank you again for your support of our class!”

With gratitude,

Ms. Leck

Thank you for donating to this project! My students love the DynaMath Magazines. They were so excited to read the great stories dealing with math that even my most reluctant math student became engaged in learning! DynaMath Magazines have great articles in them that show how mathematics is used in the everyday world.

I truly appreciate your generosity. I believe that my students deserve every opportunity to be successful and to be able to give them another way to see math is terrific. Many of my students have not had the privilege of receiving a magazine in the mail so they are thrilled when our magazines arrive! It is something that they can take home and share with their families when we finish with it in class!

My students will definitely benefit from learning math in yet another way! Thank you again for helping bring these magazines to my students!”

With gratitude,

Mrs. DePrez Campbell

Thank you so much for the science supplies you donated to my students. They have enjoyed every single minute of the time we have spent using the books and supplies in each container full of materials. The boys especially love the rock sorting activity included in the earth science activities.

Without your help my students would never been given the hands on experiences with science they are getting now. They ask me each day if we are going to get to use the "boxes" in our science lesson.

It is such a joy as a teacher to see students so excited about learning. Thank you for giving me that experience as a teacher and for giving my students the excitement they feel towards learning!”

With gratitude,

Mrs. McSwain

There are not enough words that will describe my students' excitement and enthusiasm when I told them that we had been generously given the gift of Science manipulatives. My students were ecstatic to be able to use break apart the owl pellets and investigate what the owls were eating. The students explored and learned more about the animal's digestive track, the food chain, and the relationship between predators and prey. After we completed the activity with the owl pellets, I heard stories from parents about how talkative their students were when they got home--wanting to tell all about the "awesome Science class" that they had that day. Nothing is better in the world than hearing students describe Science as being awesome!

The other Science manipulatives have been extremely helpful as well in helping my students work in cooperative groups to learn more about our Science curriculum. They have been able to explore rocks and minerals and explore with fossils. They have learned about various Environmental Science concepts as well with the independent work station.

I truly appreciate your kindness and generosity! It is nice to know that there are still people out there who are supporting public education. I am very thankful for your support! You have truly made a difference in the lives of my students--who are now future scientists! :)”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Lucas

I want to thank you for your generous donation to our school. The books you provided have helped students grasp new math concepts and helped them to see the connection between math and literature. These math related books also helped our students to connect math concepts to real world examples. These resources you have provided are vital to the math instruction in our entire school. I have made them accessible to every teacher and set up a system for teachers to share ideas and lesson plans that correlate with the various books and math strands.

Your help and support made my dream of starting a Math Literacy Library in our school a reality. Words can not express my appreciation for your generosity. ”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Dooley

A pile of dirt and a bunch of worms might not seem to be an especially inspiring request for a class of inner city first graders. But MANY THANKS to all of you who saw beyond the initial dirt to the possibilities of the hundreds of small "miners" who have joined our classroom! The children are very excited about their turn to "spend time with the worms." They find uncovering the worms, seeing what food they have been most interested in eating, and handling them (carefully) to be a particularly satisfying activity. The worm colony has recently become the "heart" of one of our reading centers. Students have the opportunity to observe the worms with their naked eyes or use one of the magnifying lenses for an "up close and personal" view of their wiggly "companions." Each of the children has his or her own "Wormnal" for recording observations, ideas, and drawings. A variety of worm books, articles, and activities is included with the center to support student learning about the benefits and requirements of vermiculture. The worm station undoubtedly will be one of our most popular literacy centers!

In the near future our worms will have produced enough "compost" for us to learn how to isolate and retrieve the castings. Using the compost will enable the children to conduct some interesting and informative seed planting experiments early this spring. We hope to prove that addition of worm "poop" greatly enhances production of flowers and vegetables. Our little worm farm will create an opportunity for the children to design and complete simple experiments according to the standards of the scientific method. And all of this is possible with the gift you have provided of soil and about 700 of our closest red worm friends!"

Thank you again for your willingness to entertain the idea that a bit of soil and a pound of worms could be a worthwhile investment for a group of 6 and 7 year-olds. Your generosity is MOST appreciated!”

With gratitude,

Teacher

Thank you for your support and for funding this project! These materials have made such a positive impact on my students. They are amazed by the microscope, none of them had ever saw or touched a microscope before and now they have one of their very own. They use it daily and are very protective of it and the slides that we have. The ocean, plant, and insect discovery centers are all options during science center time and you would love to hear the things that they have learned by actually have interactive materials. They continue to observe and document the ant farm daily and I must admit I didn't realize how busy ants stay. Thank you so much for funding this project it has truly improved the lives of my students by allowing them to interact with what we are learning about. Without your donations this would have been another boring year of school, but my classroom attendance has actually increased and students are motivated to come to school each day. Thank you for your support.”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Bradley