Mrs. Gonzales' Classroom Edit display name

Past projects 5

• Adding Culturally Inclusive Books to Our Classroom Library

  Funded May 19, 2019

  Thank you so much for your help in funding my library. I am so excited to share these stories to all my students. It's important that all students see themselves reflected in the books they read. It's equally important that they learn about others who are from a different religion, race, and culture. A book is a great way to foster that. Again, thank you!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Gonzales

  This classroom project was brought to life by Google.org and 4 other donors.

• Send a Bilingual Teacher to the Space Exploration Educators Conference!

  Funded Oct 15, 2018

  I sincerely would like to thank you for helping me attend the Space Exploration Educators Conference this year. This is my second year attend and getting to attend for the 25th anniversary was truly amazing. I truly believe that teachers should never stop learning. We are life long learners. Attending this conference allows me to remember how much I loved learning about space exploration and science when I was in school. I get to learn and bring those lessons back with me to help teach my students in a fun and engaging way.

  While there, I was able to take the flight training. This was the highlight of my time there this year. I joined the Civil Air Patrol and I am now a life long member and get to take advantage of all their free resources. I can order free STEM kits and get a curriculum to use with young students to teach them the importance of space exploration as well as aviation. After my return, we constructed a solar oven and learned about light energy. I was also able to learn about some literature to bring into the classroom and how to use a coding with a bee-bot to review and access academic concepts so I am now able to take these Science skills and extend into other content areas.

  I know not every teacher is lucky enough to attend this conference. I was lucky enough to get to learn and be surrounded by hundreds of other science educators and scientists from around the world. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping me to reach my goal of getting to attend this conference.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Gonzales

  This classroom project was brought to life by Craig Newmark Philanthropies and 3 other donors.

• STEM Materials in a Bilingual Classroom for ATPE Member

  Funded Jul 22, 2017

  I first want to thank you for making it possible for my students to have technology and STEM materials available in our classroom. The children have really had a good time using them. Since STEM and computer science build on each other, we have use some materials more than others at this time. The children are using the blocks, legos, and magformers, and the Osmo kits on a regular basis as part of our Friday STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math)/Coding lessons. It has really made it possible for them to be creative and take the coding to a more concrete/hands on level. As the year goes on and we get better at our coding, I am hoping to use the Code & Go Robot, the circuit blocks, the ozobot and the cublets more.

  The magformers are a big hit with all the kids and the girls have really taken to the Goldiblox kit. It's nice to have something that's aimed for girls during our STEM bins time. All the kids have really built some magnificent things with them! It has taking their thinking and creativity to another level. I really like asking them to explain their thinking behind their creations. Using all those materials along with our STEM bin task cards has been an excellent way to introduce them to STEM learning.

  What I like the most about using these materials is that it's surprising which students can really take off and shine with it. It's the students you least expect. I have some struggling students who can get really down about not being as successful as others especially in reading. They are some of the students who do the best with these hands on materials. It's something that is a strength for them and gives them a confidence boost.

  I again want to thank all the donors who made this possible for my students. Without you, I would not be able to teach my bilingual students computer science and STEM. THANK YOU!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Gonzales

  This classroom project was brought to life by Sergey Brin Family Foundation and 4 other donors.

• ATPE Member-Flexible Seating for a Comfy and Kinesthetic Friendly Classroom

  Funded Sep 28, 2016

  I want to start off by saying thank you so much for your donation to my classroom! My students are so exciting to be using all the flexible seating options for our classroom. I almost cried when I saw their little smiling faces when I showed them all the new things we had received.

  Now that we've had some time to use the bean bags, backpatter seats, wobble chairs, pillows, and stools in my classroom, I have noticed a big difference in my students' focus during literacy and math centers especially from my struggling and my "wiggly" students. Since they are comfortable or even able to move while sitting, depending on what they're sitting on, they are able to focus so much more on the task they are working on. Any educator knows that some students actually NEED movement to learn and these seating options actually provide that in a safe way.

  It has also helped with discipline! If a student isn't making good choices, they know they can lose the privilege of using the seating and they definitely don't want that so they make better choice to be able to keep using it.

  As I write you this letter, today is Giving Tuesday and so many people just like you are making other students and teacher projects a reality. It is an awesome feeling to know that there are people like you still out there. You have inspired me to do even more for my children because I know that I have the support of so many out there!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Gonzales

  This classroom project was brought to life by The Association of Texas Professional Educators and 3 other donors.

• iPad Classroom Set

  Funded Feb 24, 2016

  Words cannot describe how thankful I am for donors like you who have helped my students get these tablets in the classroom. My students are so excited to be using these tablets in class every day. I hope that you and others get to see how much of an impact one person can have on so many little ones.

  We use these tablets as a part of my literacy work stations. While I am working with a small group based on ability, the rest of the students are working at their stations. The tablets work great because you can use them for more than one skill. I can use it as a listening station, a reading to self station or even a writing station. My students are starting off with the listening station. The earphones are plugged in easily and they have access to hundreds of books that are read to them. There is no need for tapes or Cd's. It's all there! As their ability to use the tablets increase, I will introduce recording themselves read as a way for me to monitor and assess their reading skills.

  As a bilingual teacher and a Title 1 school, most of our students don't have access to electronics at home. They were definitely most excited to be able to use the tablets. They are so careful and follow all the rules I expect of them while using the tablets because they don't want to lose the privilege of getting to use the them. I have a tech helper each week who is in charge of making sure all tablet materials are put away and that they are charged. They are so happy and proud to take on this new responsibility. The technology isn't just helping their reading skills, it's also teaching them responsibility which is also an important skill to have.

  What I like the most of having the tablets in the classroom is the fact that I have had students this year who have struggled with reading and were becoming disinterested and now, they are so interested in reading! They are excited to read and in turn it is helping them grow their reading skills and reading level. As they see their skills grow, it makes them even MORE excited to be reading! It really is amazing all the ways that I can use these tablets in the classroom.

  I hope that you will continue to donate through Donors Choose. Every little bit counts and with donors such as yourselves, our children have the opportunity to be successful. Again, from the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Gonzales