The goop Closet Sale

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Thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts! The kids (and I) had so much fun. Most of my 5 and 6 year old students had never been to the zoo. They were amazed by the sounds and sights of the entire day. From the bus ride, to the bats, to the giraffes and zebras, the kids had a BLAST! I wish we could have stayed for the whole weekend! They truly had an experience they may have never had without YOUR help!! I hope you enjoyed the pictures and the notes from them, they sure appreciate you!”

With gratitude,

Ms. Saude

My students were super excited to get the materials in the mail. Most of my students have never cooked before, and were unfamiliar with convection ovens. They were impressed with the scale, and the various options that were on the scale.

My students have used the convection ovens and various measuring tools to cook in the classroom. Although this sounds like a simple activity, it brings in so many math skills that my students are expected to master this school year. This has put real hands on experience to skills that they would have only heard about or seen on paper. My students have been able to see the difference in fractional amounts, understand what proportional really means, and conversions between different measurements.

Students were super excited to learn. They were extremely focused on mastering the skills, so that their recipe was not messed up. They enjoyed learning, and are eager to learn more. Thanks so much for your help.”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Barton

Needless to say, teachers and students were bowled over when we received our two beautiful, Janome heavy-duty sewing machines. The kids could not believe that complete strangers cared about them enough to fund materials for their classroom community, and experiential learning. On the day the boxes arrived, the students cheered and gathered around as the gleaming machines were lifted from the boxes. "Really? These are all ours? When do we start sewing?"

Montessori adolescent education is philosophically bound to promote student independence, and cooperation . A vital component of the curriculum is the development and management of student-run micro-businesses to support yearly field study. Friday Market is a whole-class collective which operates every Friday afternoon. Students provide baked goods, organic fruits and vegetables from the garden, and handmade crafts for sale to the larger school community. The acquisition of the sewing machines has made possible the development of new items: lunchbox placemats, bags, and blankets. It has been delightful to watch the students brainstorm and develop new products.

In addition to learning how to sew on our fabulous new machines, the sewing project has given students an outlet for, and ownership of, their creativity, leadership, and fundraising goals. As the teacher, all I had to do was show a few eager students the sewing basics, and then observe as they became teachers to fellow classmates. Maria Montessori says, "The greatest sign of a teacher is to be able to say, 'The children are working as if I did not exist.'" Indeed, it has been beautiful to bear witness to this process.

This year, micro-businesses supported the students' participation in the Montessori Model United Nations conference in New York City. Students represented a nation and worked with 2000 of their peers from all over the world to develop and draft initiatives to resolve current global issues. The conference culminated in a vote held within the actual General Assembly of the United Nations. I cannot thank you enough for supporting these young change-makers, and future world leaders. Your generosity supports the education of the whole child, for today, and tomorrow.”

With gratitude,

Ms. Annie

I cannot thank you enough for making our class trip to the Southern California University of Health Sciences cadaver lab possible and I can't say it better than they did. They all wrote thank you letters expounding what an amazing, incredible, unique, life changing experience you afforded them. I wish I could publish them all for you, but I have chosen to share just one from a senior named Megan:

Dear Donors,

The cadaver lab on March 13th was one of the most powerful experiences in my life. While textbook diagrams are useful, they can never capture the full complexity of the human body. It was such a privilege and an honor for my anatomy class to have the opportunity to examine the workings of the body in the flesh (literally).

I must admit I felt nervous beforehand, but once I stepped into the lab that anxiety evaporated. There was nothing gross or gory and it was very easy to look at the human remains on a clinical level. For most of the lab, I was able to detach myself from the fact that these cadavers used to be living, breathing people and I could focus on the educational aspects. I was completely struck by how beautiful and intricate we are. We, these series of tissue and bone, are complex molecular machines. By seeing exactly how all of the different organ systems fit together, I walk away with a greater understanding of my body and how it keeps me alive.

I did, however, have a moment where emotions overwhelmed me. As I held the human brain, I could not help but realize that I was holding the remains of someone's consciousness. That brain had loved ones, had fond memories, had a personality. Everything that made that individual unique lay in the palm of my hand. I felt a powerful connection in that moment. I don't often dwell on my own death, but this brain reminded me that one day, all that I have ever been, all that I will ever be, will amount to the same small squiggly lump of tissue. I don't mean this in a morbid way, but in an existential way. The atoms in my body are traceable to supernova spilling their enriched guts across the cosmos where they condensed into stars and planets; planets that support life. Over 4.6 billion years of evolution these atoms have formed multicellular life. My life. My consciousness lives in this moment due to the complex chemistry of my human anatomy. The brain I held was a testament to that legacy. It was a deeply moving experience.

Thank you for your contribution to our class and making it possible for me to have this experience. Next year, I will be majoring in Evolution and Ecology and understanding human anatomy is applicable to a wide range of biological sciences. I am so happy that I have been given this opportunity.

~Megan

So...the impact was deep and meaningful and the opportunity was universally appreciated. Thank you so much for your donation!”

With gratitude,

Ms. Karlberg

I would like to thank you for the opportunity to provide our students the chance to experience the art of sewing. The students who participated in the projects now understand how two pieces of fabric and a needle with the assistance of modern machinery can create clothes, blankets, pillows, etc.

The students were excited when the campus received the sewing machines. The most common question was "how does it work" and "when can I use it"? The projects included a paper frame, winter cap, Valentine envelope and cell phone case. After sewing some projects, they now realize that sewing takes planning and time.

After a basic lesson on thread and needles, I had the students review a short animation video on how a sewing machine works. For every project, I provided an example of the finish product.

Students were able to start a project and work on their own pace. I was available before and after school. I will be working with the Theater Art teacher soon to help student sew their puppet costumes.

I am trying to create a MakerSpace area in the library where students can come and learn from each other. The sewing projects have allowed students to learn new skills, to become instructors themselves, but most of all to acquire patience when working on a project and time management.”

With gratitude,

Ms. Gonzalez

My students and I were very excited to attend the field trip. We used the field trip to connect our curriculum and standards to real life application, help differentiate instructions, increase student's understanding of farm and life on it, provide multiple ways to deescalate and increase interest in different learning activities. The children museum was very sensory based and catered to my student's individual needs. Since attending the trip my students understand the importance of using appropriate social skills, how to build things with block and use their imagination. I have been able to get more of them to identify colors and shapes by providing use of the different shape, color and number website games for preschoolers. Their motors shills have increased. Being able to expose my students to somewhere that they may never get to attend was simply amazing. I want to say THANK YOU for helping to open my student's world of learning!”

With gratitude,

Ms. Ross

"How beautiful a day can be when kindness touches it!"--George

Elliston

Thank you very much for your thoughtfulness! My students,as well as myself, was filled with excitement and anticipation when we received three large boxes in the mail. You have made our year and we are eternally grateful! Your simple act of kindness have touched our hearts forever.

The supplies that you have provided for our classroom have made it easier for my students to come to class ready and willing to learn. For once, they did not have to worry about whether or not they had pencils,markers,erasers, or paper. I was able to provide these most basic supplies for them. We have worked on several projects using the materials. One of my classes created Egyptian Cartouches using the oversized construction paper, another class used the post-it notes during reading to jot their notes down and to even analyze characters, and another class created Shakespearean Posters. I must tell you, the students are elated to have these materials. At least once a day when a student goes to use the three hole punch I often hear "Thank goodness we have this, thanks to the nice donations that we received."

Words cannot express how grateful we are. Thanks for caring enough about the students to put them first, you kind deed will always be remembered.

Thank you.”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Rogers