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Stache by Gates

Part of: Bozeman Growers
  • $2,195raised
  • 9projects funded
  • 9schools served
  • 9teachers supported
For the next four weeks, I will subject myself to public humiliation and private doubt by growing what will no-doubt be a ridiculous-looking Mustache. To justify this endeavor, I need your support. Please sponsor my 'stache by choosing a classroom project below and making a donation of any amount. And wish me and my Mustache luck.
  • We Need a Place to Catch Our Breath

    Funded Nov 22, 2013

    I'd like to thank you all so much for taking the time to donate to the project I created for my classroom on Donors Choose. We received a true variety of items that my students are using to meet their sensory needs on a daily basis. The weighted blanket has been so valuable for quite a few of my 6th grade boys! They like to read with it on their back or on their lap. I have one student who uses it daily in combination with giant purple bean bag. He calms down and is able to get some work done after spending time all wrapped up in the items you provided him! The glow in the dark Crazy Aaron's Thinking Putty is often used in combination with the Wave Light in our darkened sensory room. I am continuing to use the tactile discrimination rubber balls with a student that really enjoys playing the game of matching them as he works on his tactile discrimination skills. The Thera-Putty is also a classroom favorite. each child has seemed to have developed a preference for certain colors and levels of resistance. The OgoSport sports disks are a favorite Friday afternoon activity.

    The resources have been integral in allowing my students to maintain a level of sensory balance that increases their engagement with their learning environment. When overwhelmed or stressed, the Wave Light in combination with music, has helped many of the students to focus on continuous visual and auditory input and calm themselves. This ability to become more independent for their own systems for self regulation has increased their confidence and willingness to return to class. The weighted blanket has allowed students with very short spans for attention to work in blocks of between ten and twenty minutes. The overall level of distraction in my classroom has decreased as the students have learned what "tools" work from them over the course of their school day. Thank you once again for thinking of us and have an amazing summer!”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Arndt

  • Empowering Learners With Laptops

    Funded Nov 3, 2013

    Thank you for your donations to our classroom! The Asus laptop has been a great addition to our set of classroom laptops. We were able to get a set of about 10 older laptops from a state surplus program, but they are not always reliable. They have a tendency to crash and sometimes take 5-10 minutes to boot up for students to start working. Not so with this new laptop. It is on and ready to go in seconds and has been a huge help.

    Students have been using our computers for many different educational purposes. Students in earth science are currently using the laptops to complete an assignment about climate change. They are examining the Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Scientists' most recent report on climate change and are using it to evaluate the evidence for human caused global warming. They will complete this assignment on computers and will submit their assignments to our Moodle page online. I was able to check out a cart of laptops from the school, but without the one from the grant I would not have had enough for all students.

    Students in biology next week will be conducting an online lab from Cornell University where students measure variations in actual bird specimens (from online pictures) and use that information to learn about variation and natural selection.

    I have also been able to use this laptop and the few others that I have for enrichment for more advanced students. I use a standards based grading system, and often I have a few students who have mastered standards long before the rest of the class is ready to move on. I am able to give them a laptop like the one you helped purchase and have them watch videos, research, or tackle online problem sets related to more advanced material while I review with other students.

    Again, thank you for your generosity. The laptop has been a great resource in our classroom and the more access students have to technology the better.”

    With gratitude,

    Mr. Mannix

  • Math Maniacs

    Funded Nov 24, 2013

    These little math maniacs are loving their new centers. They are constantly asking to do their centers, even during their free choice time. They focus and get their work done and are so excited to move on to perfect their skills. Because of these centers, their number sense has improved tremendously. They are working with the concept of place value daily. Their favorite center by far is the frog addition game. They are becoming so fluent in addition using the visuals that this center offers. I am so excited to see their improvements and all of you wonderful donors have made this happen. Thank you for being invested in our success!”

    With gratitude,

    Mrs. Thatcher

  • Laptops For Learning

    Funded Oct 18, 2013

    My students were in complete awe to receive a new laptop from people we don't even know! They continually commented how nice it was for people to donate money in order for them to have newer technology available to them. My students are grateful for your donation and immediately wanted to write thank you letters to express their gratitude.

    We are using the new laptop for a multitude of things in the classroom. Every morning we watch CNN student news where they practice taking notes. They have a weekly writing assignment and they use the laptop to type their final draft. We are also using it to access the internet for various research activities. Currently the students are using the new laptop to type their information for the science fair coming up in February.

    This generous donation has allowed my classroom to access unlimited information in all subject areas. They now have the ability to become more familiar with current technology. We are connected to the world and I am able to better prepare them for future classes.”

    With gratitude,

    Mrs. Henderson

  • Ants Go Marching In 2nd Grade!

    Funded Oct 28, 2013

    The package arrived in our classroom with much excitement. "It's here, it's here," the students chanted before I even had time to look up. Smiles filled the classroom. Without hesitation our janitor set our new drying rack so we could use it immediately.

    To say we use our drying rack everyday would be an understatement. We use this drying rack several times a day. It sometimes houses our reading journals if we are waiting for glue to dry, large painting and projects fit with ease, and we have even stored owl pellets on paper plates to explore later. Our class can't imagine what it would be like without our beautiful drying rack. It is truly gold to us!

    Organization is such a breeze now. There are no worries while planning projects anymore. We have room and a safe place for all student work. Students take much more pride in their work and accomplishments. Thank you for being so generous to us.”

    With gratitude,

    Mrs. Olesen

  • Second Grade-Get Connected!

    Funded Nov 2, 2013

    When my students heard that we were receiving Ipads for our classroom they were so excited! They could not wait to try them out and start using them everyday.

    My students use the Ipads everyday during center time or if they finish their work early. They love to use the app Reading Rainbow which gives them access to unlimited books! My students are constantly showing me the great books they are reading. They also love to practice their spelling words and math facts on the Ipads.

    This project is definitely helping my students with their reading abilities. Not only helping their fluency and accuracy, but also influencing their love for reading. This time in their life is such a vital time for them to fall in love with reading, and with Ipads bringing books to life, it is doing just that! These Ipads have already had such an impact on my students learning and I know they will continue to enhance my students' learning throughout the year.

    I cannot thank you enough for all of your support in providing my students with these tools to enhance their learning!”

    With gratitude,

    Mrs. Aafedt

  • The Amazing World Of Non-Fictioin

    Funded Nov 4, 2013

    Thank you so much for your gracious donations. My students are loving the books! You have given my students an incredible gift. They are reading book after book, and they are so excited about what they are reading. They come up to me all day telling me about something they read. I love seeing the enthusiasm they have for reading nonfiction. That is an enthusiasm that was missing before we received these books. You have given my students the greatest gift of all, the love for reading. Words cannot describe how incredibly thankful I am to all of you for your generosity. My students will continue to enjoy these books and many future second and third grade students will also be able to enjoy them. Thank you again for you donations. You have truly made a difference in my students' lives!”

    With gratitude,

    Mrs. Hagel

  • Get the Wiggles Out!

    Funded Oct 31, 2013

    With all of your generous donations, I was able to purchase fit-chairs for my classroom. When students walked into the classroom and saw the boxes stacked against the wall, they were immediately curious. Students soon after ripped the boxes apart and began constructing the new chairs. Students were excited to see the chairs and couldn't wait to use them.

    Students use the chairs daily. They sit on the fit chairs throughout class (Reading/Math). The chairs allow them to move while learning. Students are able to get their wiggles out in a safe and respectful way.

    The new addition of fit chairs to our classroom has made students excited about coming to class. Students report that the chairs are extremely comfortable and help to keep them on task. Students are able to sit up and bounce lightly while in-taking information. Students have appeared to be more on task than before.

    Thank you all so much for the generous donations.

    Sincerely,

    Ms. Newsom”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Newsom

  • Teacher, I Need To Move Around!

    Funded Nov 8, 2013

    Thank you so much for your generous donation to our classroom project. The students were so excited when the sensory items arrived. We tied the bungee cord around the front legs of their seats. This allows them to kick the cord while sitting. You can't imagine how often they use the "kicky" while seated. Their little legs are moving while their eyes, ears and brains are focused on the instruction.

    The stability pads allow students to make small movements in their seats without distracting themselves or others. These small movements allow students to get some of their energy out and still stay focused in class.

    I know that with these sensory accommodations it will make it easier for students to pay attention and learn.

    We really appreciate your support.”

    With gratitude,

    Mrs. Robbins

    This classroom project was brought to life by NEA Foundation and 6 other donors.
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