Dr Becca's Science Blog Page

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Thanks for all of your generous donations to our special needs classroom and for making our project a reality! As you can see from the pictures, we have been using them for letter ID, word ID, word-building through matching letters, and language. We've also used them for number ID, communication, and reading to name a few other applications. We have been putting our new iPads filled with new applications to good use in our classroom and have been keeping them safe with our protective iPad cases!

My students are so excited when it is their turn to use an iPad. It is a fun and exciting way to learn and to reinforce concepts taught in whole group and small group sessions. I have downloaded applications that my students use to learn language, read, count, learn their letters and numbers, work on fine motor skills, take turns with their peers, and communicate in a way that is actually fun. I have also downloaded audiobooks of favorite books such as Brown Bear, Brown Bear.

I cannot tell you how much it means to me that you supported my classroom for children who have special needs. In these times of reduced or no budgets, being able to provide such technology for my students' learning is very exciting for me, and being able to use it is very exciting for them! Please accept my sincere thanks for your generosity.”

With gratitude,

Teacher

We are all so grateful for your donation to our project! It was a huge success! We spent 3 days on the dissection, and we hated to put them away, but the weekend and a teacher inservice day put a halt on our investigation. The students were amazed by the experience and will never forget it.

On the first day, we prepared for the dissection by rinsing the rats, placing them in the trays, discussing lab safety, and discussing the ethics and value of dissection. We also observed the external anatomy of the rat and talked about its adaptations for survival. The students learned how to tell if they were male or female, which led to many interesting conversations. The second day we worked on opening the rats, practicing a few forensic pathologist techniques, and then located all of the organs while comparing them to diagrams. The third day students removed the organs, measured them, described or sketched them, stated the function of the organs, and told which body system(s) they were a part of. Some students discovered that their rats were pregnant, and the WHOLE class got up to watch as they delivered the babies by "C-section." :)

One of my students has Addison's Disease, which involves the adrenal glands, and he was very excited to see that a rat has adrenal glands also. Another student whose mother is pregnant was amazed at how the rats organs were all smashed together to make room for the 13 babies that the mama rat was carrying, and he wondered if his mother's organs were like that too. They were all shocked to find out how big the liver was and how long the small intestines were. They thought the name should be LONG intestines. There is no way that I can tell you all of the wonderful things they learned and got to observe by doing this project! I hope you enjoy the pictures! This activity would not have been possible without your help!”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Terrell

I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation for every donation made to

my project "Make Math Fun." Your generous donations have provided my classroom with 15 more

games that reinforce math concepts and incorporate both small and whole group learning.

My students love to play these new games and make daily requests of personal favorites to be

added to the math centers' rotation. Their enthusiasm is a key element in both the success of

the math centers and in their desire to understand math concepts in order to become more skilled

at the games.

It is marvelous to see my students enjoying math as they participate in center activities. Because of your donation my students will be able to experience the joys of math for many years to come.

”

With gratitude,

Teacher

This is such a valuable resource, and I cannot thank you enough for your assistance. We are currently in the process of making this project a real in-depth idea, with the students really taking on the role of active scientists working in genetics. With your assistance, you have helped students in a high need area get exposure to technology they might otherwise not be able to gain access to. Those of us here say THANK YOU for making this project a reality! The students are so excited about starting this project!”

With gratitude,

Dr. S.

Of all the projects I have put out on the DonorsChoose website, this is my all-time favorite. Thank you so much for funding this fantastic resource. Our new skeleton is the star of the school, spending time in both our music and science classrooms. Whenever he is in the room, the students flock to him.

Today I was using him in one of my band classes to teach the students about posture and a group of students began discussing the parts, asking questions and were so engaged in learning that the class period seemed to fly by... all without any prompting from me. What a wonderful dynamic classroom our new friend helps to create!

So please accept my heartfelt thanks for your generosity. This resource will be a permanent fixture in our school and enthrall thousands of students for many years to come!

”

With gratitude,

Ms. Nelson

Thank you very much for your generous donation to provide a brand new carpet for my classroom. It has truly revolutionized my classroom from just a trailer to an amazing center for learning. We are able to have our while group read a louds on the carpet as well as do "Appreciations" every day, a time where we get to recognize each other for being kind friends. My students also use the carpet and numbers during center time where they read many of the books in our library and work on big floor puzzles.

Our school is still currently in trailers and it is still difficult for us to feel like we are a real school. This carpet has allowed my children to be in a "real" school setting by having the necessary things every first grade room should have. Thank you very much, I could not have done it without your financial help.”

With gratitude,

Teacher

Thank you all so much! I am so grateful that you chose our project to be featured in the science blog contest. The kids loved that we were featured and that "real scientists" wanted us to have new chairs. We use our chairs during reading, writing, math, and, of course, science. We even measured our chairs during science time to see how long they were using cubes, straws and crayons. Our new, bright blue chairs make our room look great, and I know that they are much safer and sturdier for the kids. Thank you again for your generous donations!”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Vieth