Rich and Jane's Online Birthday Give-Back Bash

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I am so sorry that I have sent this thank you late- but honestly I changed schools from a middle school to an elementary school and revamped the idea, but love what I have done with the project! I received two elementary level books (not both graphic novels but one was) and used them to compare and contrast Mahatma Gandhi with Martin Luther King- discussing their impact on history. Students were able to complete three maps detailing information on the two and then created a Powtoon (like a cartoon but with anime aspects) that they used the information within.

I am planning to send more but honestly we are still working on the projects. I will update this even though I have gone past the time of the deadline to get it to you. Thank you for everything you have done to make this project a success- the kids loved it!

I completed it with fourth and fifth grade students- so that I could tie in the aspects of animation to encourage reading and comprehension.”

With gratitude,

Mrs. McElwee

Thank you so very much for you donation to my classroom. These binders have improved my students motivation to learn and ability to organize their work. When I first showed my students the binders, honestly, they were indifferent. But once I explained that we were going to use them to show how much they learn over the year they were more interested, and then I pointed out the clear covers where they could decorate something to slide in the cover to make it their own, they were so excited! My students don't have the school supplies most other students take for granted, so something to call their own is very exciting for them. My students take pride in these binders, the work they put in them, and the covers they decorate to make them unique.

My students are able to see their grown by using their binders is several ways, they see their test grades improve because all the work is in one place for them to study from, they reflect on work they didn't do well and make self-recommendations on how to do better, and they work towards those goals. Without the binders, my students wouldn't be able to so easily see their progress. I have seen a dramatic increase in effort and pride in the work my students do and it is all made possible by the generosity you have shown. My students and I very grateful!”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Sia

Thank you so much for supporting our music project (and my apologies for the delayed thank you). I currently have 23 students in my guitar elective, and they love the new amp and electric guitar. They routinely practice on their acoustics, and then take turns on the electrics (we now have two). One of the great things about the electric guitars and amps is that they're hard goods--they're virtually indestructible and won't wear out. Amazingly, they haven't even suffered a scratch in the three months they've been used. And even scratched and dinged (it will probably happen someday), they'll serve their purpose for at least a decade--probably longer. You can rest assured that your donation will make a lasting contribution to student learning at Lent School.

Students typically use the equipment with headphones, allowing them to disappear into their own rock-and-roll, adolescent fantasy world (or something like that). They dig it. The amps are easily adjusted for a variety of sounds, from country twang to heavy metal. Honestly, we haven't explored metal, though we have had fun with The Beatles, Buddy Holly, David Bowie and The Grateful Dead, to name a few.

The equipment you donated gives students an incentive to practice, and it allows them to make new sounds (electric sounds) with the chords, scales and tunes they've learned.”

With gratitude,

Mr. Camp

Thank you for choosing the support this project. My students are already voracious readers but I'm not sure they were prepared for America Street. They were happy to have short stories

It's a sneaky little anthology series. The students started the anthology doing very grade level appropriate tasks of tracking story parts, vocabulary, and identifying themes. About four stories into the anthology, the themes begin to repeat in a good way. The students begin discussing the similarities of the stories yet with a twist on one or two plot points. By the end of the anthology, the students identified five repeated ideas in the anthology

-how children view parents

-how schools sometimes interfere in learning

-how food, language, and cultures all intersect (and conflict)

-the value of friendships

-how we seek and value respect

After completing the book, we explored these five themes further and worked to build the idea of our developing identities as 10 and 11 years old and how authors express identity, culture, and growing up through their writing. In the end, the "sneaky" anthology rather neatly, I think, wraps up this idea for the students and leaves behind an important teachable moment.

Thank you again for support me in this project. Contributions such as yours directly helps take my class the next step from learning to read to reading to learn.”

With gratitude,

Mr. Crandall

My students were so happy to receive all the craft supplies. They have been creating houses out of the craft sticks, snowmen ornaments with the pipe cleaners, and trees with the buttons. We have made ginger bread people with the wooden pieces and buttons as well. This package of supplies has enriched the lives of my students to use their imagination to create projects to go along with our holidays around the world unit. Having supplies that the students normally use has made their learning that much more meaningful. They are able to remember Germany is where the gingerbread comes from. Thank you so very much for your thoughtfulness”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Parker

The Pioneer Food Science students are very appreciative to receive the new KitchenAid mixer to assist with their applied food science activities. Class members have been continually learning about the features of the mixer as they have been conducting labs. They are enjoying the convenience that the mixer provides, and the consistency it provides in product development. Class members have also learned about the generosity of others and how they have benefited from the contributions of many individuals.

Since receiving the KitchenAid mixer, Food Science students have conducted lab activities about leavening agents, mold growth, and nutrient analysis. The class experimented with various leavening agents and their effect on product lightness of cupcakes. The mixer allowed for product consistency of controlled variables. Students also used the mixer to make bread that was used to study mold growth under varying conditions. This made the kneading process much easier and quicker, which is important for a limited amount of class time. The mixer has also been used to create many foods that include locally grown produce and promote healthy eating.

By having this additional resource, students are able to work with up-to-date equipment while conducting meaningful applied food science activities. Students are using inquiry-based learning and are experimenting with various recipes to create healthier choices to promote enhanced nutrition. This has generated enthusiasm about food science and food nutrition amongst class members. The project has created interest and eagerness to apply concepts introduced in class. Students are actively engaged in the learning process, which solidifies retention. The additional resource has promoted student learning, and will allow for additional hands-on activities for the Food Science program.”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Genaway

My students were so excited to get the digital recorder! They said it looked like a taser. I assured them that it was not. They also remarked about its small size. It records really well to be so small. We have enjoyed recording our class singing and listening to ourselves.

When we have a program, they audition for speaking parts and solos. I make notes and at the end of the week I try to decipher what I meant about each student that I heard and which one would be best for the part. With the digital recorder I recorded each student as they auditioned. Then I went back and listened to them again to make my final decision.

This has definitely helped me to make better decisions to decide on parts for our programs. The students love to hear themselves and I can see all kinds of uses it can have in the future.

Thank you so much for investing in the lives of these students!”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Lowery