Thank you so much for your generous donation of binoculars to my classroom! My students spent the winter watching a Red-Bellied Woodpecker return to the same dead tree, huge flocks of Northern Shovelers circling for food, a Red-tailed Hawk snatch a squirrel off of a tree trunk, and numerous other birds. Now that spring is here they are watching the Robins pull worms from the soft earth, Red-winged Blackbirds announce their territories, Blue Jays competing for a mate. With their binoculars they can tell Magnolia Warblers from Yellow-rumped Warblers and Downy Woodpeckers from Hairy Woodpeckers.
You have given my students the opportunity to experience nature in a way that is often inaccessible to young people growing up in the city. You have contributed to their finding a place, not far from home, in the natural world. As they head off for college, I hope that my students are taking with them not only a deeper understanding of science but a sense of connection to nature. And I am hoping they have begun to look for it in even the most unlikely places. I thank you for supporting me in sharing this passion with my students and with helping to open this door for them”
I cannot even begin to tell you what an impact your donations have made on my students. They were in awe of the fact that there were people out there that didn't even know us, but were willing to help. You have definitely taught them more than I intended. Your kindness has opened their eyes to a character education lesson I did not anticipate!
As for the materials you have provided, they are being used to enhance student writing. The kids and I have enjoyed having new mentor texts for both reading and writing. They were excited to read the rich language and try to reflect it in their own writing pieces. I hear them using examples from the new materials as they make suggestions to their writing partners during peer conferencing.
I have also been able to share the materials with the other fifth grade classes in my school. Your materials are touching lives of more students that previously anticipated! Way to go! Without your generosity, many students would be negatively affected by the budgets troubles facing our school today!”
What IS that? Well, it's an Elmo – a document camera. And it's the best present a teacher could get! Why? No more transparencies, no more photocopying student work to show the class. Just put it on the desk, zoom in and everyone can see it. It's a teacher's dream.
Students share their notes and their worksheets – giving them pride in the work they do when they showcase their process.
We collaboratively edit poems and papers – demystifying the process of interacting with a text, whether it's one we're reading or writing.
We look at thesis statements and evidence from the book, building an analytic essay from the ground up – transparently.
The kids love it. It's cool, it's fun, and they're ENGAGED! Thank you for helping us zoom in on writing! You're a terrific group of donors, friends and family. ”
I can't fully express my joy, excitement, and thanks for your donation to my project. It is great to see that you share my vision for reaching children in fun and exciting ways.
The tools that you have funded will enable students to explore and be creative as they learn about the world around them. In addition, my students will be able to dive right into our new study of sky scrapers. You've supplied us with brand new blocks that have motivated my students to want to build and learn. Each and every student in my class has shown more of an interest in the Block Center since our brand new blocks arrived.
Thanks again for your generosity!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Dana
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