@SFConcierge's Social Media Challenge Giving Page

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I am so happy to be able to use a document camera to open another door to the world for my students. They are able to see, up close, many things including scientific specimens, documents and texts and photos. They are so excited to see the world bigger than life on the television.

The next step for them is getting an LCD projector so that the images become even larger for them.

The document camera brings learning to the 21st century for students who can benefit greatly from the visual input that this new exciting device brings.”

With gratitude,

Ms. Caluza

Thank you so much for your support in financing our Computer Art II class project. After receiving the materials funded by your generous donations, my students were able to complete a typographic portrait of a person influential to their lives. When I received news that our art budget would be dramatically affected by financial difficulties, I was unsure what projects I would be able to complete this school year. With your support, you have all taken an interest in the lives of wonderful students that greatly appreciate the experience.

It was great seeing the joy my students experienced as a result of their hard work and patience. The project allowed students to produce a t-shirt that they can now proudly wear. None of this would have been possible without each of you.

You have all supported the arts in a way I wish legislatures would. I know the importance of art and the positive effects it has on our students. I'm grateful for your help and want to assure you once again that you have all touched the lives of my students. Thank you!”

With gratitude,

Mr. Hoang

I once again want to express my deepest gratitude to you for donating to my project. It has been a wonderful experience watching this group of kids get excited about something new and out of the norm for them. These students have taken pictures before, but never in this context. They began to SSE the beauty in things that they had never really noticed before

These students have gain a new respect for the world around them; they are less likely to litter or allow their friends to do so. I have watch them take notice of things that they would normally take for granted. I hear them talking to their friends and they are talking about how blue the sky is or how funny a tree looks hanging over a cliff.

I thank you again for helping me see my vision come to pass and for allowing my students and myself this wonderful experience.Thank you! ”

With gratitude,

Ms. Wesley

The CDs are a hit! There are so many of them, I could almost play a different CD each day for the rest of the year! I have used them in a couple of different ways so far, and have grand plans for them in the future. I have picked particular songs, like a jazz version of "Old MacDonald Had a Farm" and a blues rendition of "Row Row Row Your Boat," and have played them as our morning greeting songs. In addition to singing along, we have identified the instruments and looked at pictures of those instruments. Today a dad got involved as he helped me identify an instrument as a bass guitar in one of the songs.Last week, I also tried playing a CD as background music while the students were writing. I explained what I expected of their behavior and work, and explained that if they did a good job, we could do this again. The students were absolutely silent as they wrote, listening to Putamayo Presents Asian Dreamland. They did some of their best writing, with complete sentences, good grammar, and descriptive words. They were working the entire time. I was so impressed and happy and look forward to doing that again!

Other CDs will be used in the future when we cover certain math concepts, reading lessons, or social studies topics. Some will be used for class parties, others for music lessons as we listen to beats, rhythms, tempo, etc. I'm sure I'll come up with even more ways to use the music you have so generously given to my classroom for my current and future students to enjoy. Thank you for supporting my teaching and public education.”

With gratitude,

Ms. Olsen

Thank you so much for funding the Reader's Theater scripts and "microphones" for my students. This has been one of my favorite grants. My class and I look forward to Fridays because it's "Reader's Theater" day. I have it organized so that each group practices a different play each week. Then I draw group names from a hat to see which group or groups will be performing. It's common to see high fives if a group is picked. The best part is watching them read their lines with the script in one hand and the microphone in the other. It's so cute! Of course educationally it's great too. The scripts are the perfect level for my students. Even my struggling readers can take part with practice. Now that we've had the scripts for a couple months many of my students are practicing using different voices and intonation when reading. Overall it's been a delight. Thanks again for helping to make this program come alive!”

With gratitude,

Ms. N.

Thank you for the amazing day at the de Young museum. The docent led children's program is amazing at this museum. The kids were led to different pieces of art, and then discussed this with a trained docent. Then they were able to sketch and reflect of different paintings. The children saw pieces from the permanent collection as well as King Tut, and Amish quilts. This experience is very important, because 90% of my class had never been to an art museum before. They experienced landscapes, African masks, portraits, and still life works of art. For many of my kids this will be a once in a lifetime trip, thank you for making this possible.”

With gratitude,

Ms. Spusta

Thank you so much for your donation to my classroom. We (the students and I) have been enjoying the dry erase markers and erasers while we work diligently on a white board animation project. The students have used the hot glue to create sets for their clay animation. It is such a thrill to allow students to feel thrilled and talented, students who did not realize how fun and easy animation could be. When we download the work off the cameras, the kids eyes light up, we giggle and get inspired to do more.

I work in an urban school where many of my students have little access to the level of technology and opportunities we are getting to enjoy in my classroom. Through Donor's Choose, I was donated cameras, clay and these very needed art supplies that are allowing students, who would otherwise not be able to learn these skills, the opportunity to learn how to manipulate digital cameras, download the information and edit the materials to create a three minute animated film. These kinds of opportunities are important to close the digital divide and create more empowered, educated people to express themselves and explore their talents for potential career paths.

The economy has hit many of us hard and that is what warms my heart the most. Thank you for making the choice to share with us and to allow us the opportunity to create a fun, educational hands on experience that will empower students for many years to come. As a teacher, I also have learned so much and look forward to taking the skills I have learned and applying them for all my future classes as well. Being a teacher is very rewarding, but it is made possible with the support and caring from others to help provide supplies and tools to teach and explore.”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Jenerik

This project means so much to me and the students. There are so many of you to thank..where do I start? Thank you angels and thank you people for giving to a high poverty school and high need students who do not have everything they should as children. My hope is to make this CD and give it to the children so they may take it home and practice their numbers, their letters and all the songs of love, life and hope. This CD will help children for years to come. Also, I will include your name in the liner notes ( your first name as that is all I know) to acknowledge you. For it is you that saw this vision of helping children and believed in this project. The students all screamed loudly when they knew that the project was funded. I screamed loud too!!!! All of you have made me tear up, as I know you are strangers ( some of you) and your belief in a better world of love and hope is apparent. I want to wish you the best always and thank you for giving to this project which will help children for years to come. With LOVE PEACE AND Music,

Mrs. M and Kindergarten Muses.”

With gratitude,

Ms. Martinez