Almost Diamonds Red State Education

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Students learned about other countries, people, their culture, and history. Students were excited to learn about insects people eat, calories that we intake daily, our President, and global awareness. Times for Kids brought the world to our classroom using 21st century learning. Students researched and taught each other information learned from the magazines and taught each other what they learned. Students enjoyed learning about the world from a students point of view. Thank you for bringing the world to our classroom.”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Breeland

I'm writing once again to update you on my project and to thank you for your generosity. I know it may seem like it has been a long time since your donation, but I am reminded of your helpfulness every single time that I walk into my classroom. Along the side wall of my classroom is a large lighting unit I built (with your help) which is capable of growing over 300 seedlings at a time. We've been through several sets of seedlings, now, with students leading the way each time. We've grown plants for science fair projects, as garden transplants, and (coming soon!) as a Mother's Day fundraiser for the after school gardening club. In and out of class, your gift provides an invaluable learning experience for all.

First, students learned how mix their own potting soil using inexpensive and easy to acquire materials. Like good scientists, they tested out and tweaked their recipes, and have learned a lot from their successes as well as their failures. They then were able to gain experience writing scientific procedures, recording data, graphing, and drawing conclusions, which are all transferable skills they will use time and time again through their educational careers and their lives. Growing vegetables has also led to opportunities for students to engage with health and nutrition lessons, during and after school, and evidence gathered for my graduate school thesis indicates that students are becoming more aware about how their choices impact their health and wellness. They have also shown a remarkable increase in understanding of environmental issues, and have used environmental quality testing kits to evaluate the soil and water available to us in our classroom and garden.

Inevitably, every new experience leads to many more questions—Why didn't my plants grow? Why are there such high levels of chlorine in our water? Why do my hands smell so bad after mixing up potting soil? Working with students to answer these questions is a joy for me because these are issues I care deeply about, and I see these experiences as an opportunity to teach students valuable skills and mindsets.questions

Thank you for helping me to grow future environmentalists!”

With gratitude,

Mr. Pearl

As we near the end of this year, I cannot explain what an amazing impact these books have had on my scholars. There is no better feeling then seeing a child fully immersed in the wonders of a book, and I saw my students get swept away into new worlds in stories like The Hunger Games, Harry Potter and many others. Reading can open so many doors for my students and with these books I was able to share my passion for reading and allow my scholars to grow.

Although I am a Social Studies teacher, one of my main goals this year was to give my students access to rich fiction and non-fiction text. Reading is all around us and literacy became the foundation of everything that I taught and did. These books broadened my scholars horizons and gave then opportunities that they would not have had otherwise. Again, I cannot thank you enough.

As this year ends and I prepare for next year in the classroom, I will not forget the unbelievable support and love I received from all of you.”

With gratitude,

Ms. Kramer

Words can not express my gratitude for your support for my classroom, my students and educating THE future. The math center games and materials have been well utilized and are greatly appreciated by myself and the students.

The materials that you have provided my students with concepts that were seemingly impossible to understand. We have used these materials to reinforce various skills, such as, fractions, decimals, proportions, and many algebra concepts. The materials are used for lower level students, English language learners, as well as my advanced students.

With the many budget cuts, resources have become very scarce throughout the school district. Without the generosity of donors like you, many students would miss out on a great educational experience.”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Martin

My kids LOVE the iPad!!! I think their favorite thing on it is Suri! We can be in the middle of a class discussion (I have taught my students to think beyond the box, always wondering, and they come up with an "i wonder" questions about what we are learning) and someone will come up with a question that sparks all of our interest and the students will immediately want to get the iPad and ask Suri! She has become a staple in our classroom.

Most of my students had never seen or touched an iPad, and it was amazing to see their faces as they explored, played, and learned on it for the first time. It is so important that we expose these children to technology, as their future will most certainly involve the use of it. Thanks to all of you, I can offer some of the best from Apple.

I can't thank you enough for what you have done for us. My kids love the iPad and are amazed at what we find it can do for us. You all have made an amazing difference in the lives of 21 students this year, and more to come in the following years. From the bottom of my heart, thank you , thank you, thank you!!!”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Hayes

The books you purchased for my classroom were extremely helpful and insightful. "The Hunger Games" were a treat for every class and did wonders for each class in supporting literacy. They were anxious to read these books during Independent Reading, instead of the "old", paperback books in mediocre condition. Many of the biographies became instant resources when doing our capstone projects...mainly because the media center resources are so limited and scarce. Currently, we are midway through the book and each day the students enter with anticipation to read and unfold its' mysteries.

Thanks again for all of your donations and support! It was not in vain!!!”

With gratitude,

Mr. James

I wish I knew how to thank you for your generous contribution to our classroom. Sherman Alexie's "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" is unquestionably the most engaging novel I have ever used in class. Every student is enjoying this book, including those who previously stated they "hate reading". I wish I could share with you how heartwarming it is to watch students who are normally late to class, and hard to get started, walk in early, look to the board for the day's instructions, and give a fist pump and a "YES!" when they see "Part-Time Indian". Many kids have told me this is the first book they have ever liked, or it's their first "grown-up" book. Students who have already read the book are discovering the joy of a second reading . "I'm getting more out of it this time!", they tell me. As a group, the kids agree this book "speaks our language". I wish I could convey how proud and humbled I am while enjoying the sketches my students draw as they create their own "Absolutely True Picture Diary". Seldom has a project evoked so much of students' emotion, honesty, pathos, humor, and spirit as this one.

I can most definitely assure you the contribution you made has changed the lives of every single one of these students. As Carl Sagan said, "Books are proof that Humans are capable of working magic", and you, dear friends, have awakened and affirmed, for these students, an appreciation of the magic to be found inside a book. With all the tricks and techniques teachers have compiled over the years for getting students to learn, the most difficult challenge remains getting them to WANT to. Your gift has kindled and stoked that flame in the hearts of these children, and will continue to do so for class after class in the future.

Purchase of these books would have been absolutely out of the question without your help. Thanks to donors like you, the love of learning remains alive in America's children.”

With gratitude,

Mr. Fritz