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Pay It Forward

Part of: Communities
  • $631raised
  • 58projects funded
  • 47schools served
  • 52teachers supported
Welcome to our Pay It Forward Community! If you want to see change in the world, you have to be the one to start the change. And encourage others to do the same! This site is open for all DC members who are wanting to help see a change in our educational community!
  • Future Scientists Discovering Their World!

    Funded Jan 3, 2014

    The reaction from my students when we opened the boxes containing our new science materials was priceless! Their little fingers, eyes, and minds couldn't wait to 'play with' (learn from :)) the magnifying glasses, binoculars, magnets, and root-vue. After discussing the many adventures we would have with these tools, they went to work 'discovering their world!'

    We incorporated these resources into our everyday instruction. Soon after each child planted their own seeds, we experienced the miracle of growth right inside our classroom walls. They were examining, measuring, and learning all about the plants they were growing. Students were watching birds outside our windows as we discussed living and non-living things. The magnets were used as an exploratory project and the 'truths' they came up with about magnets after many days of work and discovery were incredible. My little learners also used the magnets to sort magnetic vs. non-magnetic objects and they concluded why each would belong in each category.

    It has been so powerful for me to see the three, four, and five-year-olds in my classroom discovering their world and begin to answer the question of "Why?" They can tell you why plants grow and why magnets 'stick' to some things and not others because of their own experiments and play. I didn't have to TELL them, rather had the privilege of guiding them along their road to discovery, and letting the TELL me! These resources have provided my students with many authentic, meaningful learning experiences that will last a lifetime. Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

    With gratitude,

    Mrs. H

    This classroom project was brought to life by Disney and 8 other donors.
  • Making an Impact With Epson

    Funded Mar 18, 2014

    Thank you so much for coming together and making this project a reality for our classroom. Having a projector in our class has changed the way that we function and are able to interact with our curriculum, each other, and the world. The children were so excited to set it up and get working on projects to share with others "on the big screen". We were able to host multiple Mystery Skypes where we learned about other classes around the country while using research and critical thinking skills to figure out where they were located through clues. The children will forever remember videoconferencing with one of their favorite authors and interacting with a young celebrity on issues about education. To see the pride in their faces as they shared their original work with others was amazing for me, however, seeing them immediately feel comfortable with shared documents and educational social media platforms showed me the real value of this gift. Thank you for bringing us into the 21st century and for helping us explore the world outside our four walls. They will never forget the experiences they were afforded because of your generosity.”

    With gratitude,

    Mrs. White

    This classroom project was brought to life by Disney and 80 other donors.
  • iLearn through Technology

    Funded Mar 14, 2014

    Thank you for your generous contributions toward our project. My students were so thrilled when the iPad arrived at school. It was perfect timing because we had just completed end of the year state testing and were ready to do a creative project.

    Students used the iPad to film a class leadership video. They wrote lyrics using the 7 Habits of Happy Kids to produce, film, and edit their video.

    This upcoming school year, my students will use apps to practice their multiplication facts and create educational videos. They will also use the iPad for their news club, Dragon Mills News. I am so excited to have this tool in our classroom. It will enable my students to create projects in a fun and engaging way.

    I cannot thank you enough for providing us with this tool for our classroom. Thank you for your continued support!”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Jones

    This classroom project was brought to life by Disney and 51 other donors.
  • Positive Behavior Support With ClassDojo

    Funded Mar 19, 2014

    Let me start by saying, "Thank You!" 58 donors came together to help fund this project. This is a huge honor when so many friends step-up to help my students. It also tells me that so many of you saw the importance in what this project was hoping to achieve, which was maintain and build positive behaviors in the classroom.

    When our iPad first arrived, my students were thrilled. They thought it was time to "play." So already I had them hooked! My students were already familiar with ClassDoJo from using it in class at our technology station. However, this project allows students to help document their own behavior and allows me to monitor behavior outside of the classroom.

    First, my students were able to use the iPad to redesign their monster character. Then, we talked about behaviors we would want to see and not see. So we updated the behaviors on the app. The kids helped me pick icons for each behavior and I taught them how to select the behaviors using their monster and name. Although we were already using this program, my students showed more enthusiasm for ClassDoJo when they really took ownership. I can't wait to implement this program again next year and add the parent component. Parents can track their child's daily behavior from home. I'm always looking for more ways to connect parents to school.

    I hope you continue to support Donors Choose and spread blessings to many other schools. Your work is amazing and shaping a new level of teaching!”

    With gratitude,

    Mrs. Wick

  • Organize Our TEACCH Classroom

    Funded Dec 29, 2013

    Thank you again for helping to make this project possible. Your donations helped to gain materials that will enable my students to become more independent and to generalize skills they have already mastered.

    With the materials attained, my students were able to help create materials for their own workstations. Students would cut out materials, while others glued pictures onto file folders. They helped laminate their materials, create books and set up their own binders.

    This was a great teaching experience for my staff and I as well as a wonderful learning experience for my students.

    They took responsibility for creating materials for their own classroom.

    Thank you again for helping my students become independent.”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Jenkins

    This classroom project was brought to life by Quill.com and 17 other donors.
  • Help the Sun Come Out for Annie

    Funded Jan 4, 2014

    Words cannot express our gratitude for the microphone stands and headset microphones you purchased for our Drama Club. You helped to enhance this year's production of "Annie" and enabled our actor's voices to be heard loud and clear!

    Our Drama Club is comprised of a diverse group of about 140 children each year and all children receive a part in a speaking or ensemble role. Participating in our production is a great opportunity for many children to experience the theater and for some it is the only time they will be be a part of "The Arts" in action.

    Learning how to speak and perform using a microphone also helps to enhance a child's self confidence and we have seen many shy children blossom into full blown "hams" that can't wait to be a part of the next year's play!

    Once again, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts and feel so blessed to have so many supporters of the Theater Arts and our Drama Club.

    Sincerely,

    Kim Hern

    Drama Club Director and Coordinator”

    With gratitude,

    Mrs. Hern

  • Smoothing Out the Rough Edges: The Gradual Process of Change

    Funded Dec 31, 2013

    Thank you for supporting this project. Its impact exceeded my wildest dreams!

    As a child, I collected rocks and have fond memories of going to rock shows with my father. The rock tumblers there were huge, and their finished products were awe inspiring. Carrying that experience forward as a counselor, I have long used rocks with students as touchstones, pocket-sized reminders of the goals on which they are working. It occurred to me that I could amplify this practice using a rock tumbler with my students participating in small groups, using the tumbling rocks as a metaphor for the process of change.

    I initiated this project with my 4th-grade boys' leadership groups. In these groups, members focus on acquiring and building the skills necessary to lead in positive ways, including managing feelings appropriately, communicating in positive ways, and negotiating conflicts fairly, among others. I start with the premise that the students have the potential to be great leaders, but they have some rough edges that need to be smoothed in order to achieve that potential and lead in positive ways.

    Tumbling a rock from its rough state to a smooth, polished state takes four to six weeks. Similarly, my groups meets weekly, usually for six sessions, with students practicing new skills in between groups. Perfect timing!

    My boys were more than engaged by this metaphor--they were enthralled! It kept them enthusiastically returning to group, anxious to see the progress of their individual rocks as they discussed the progress that they were making with their new skills. We were able to talk about the pace and challenges of personal change, important concepts in a society where "fast and faster" is often the goal. Because the rocks changed gradually, they were able to be more realistic about the time required for them to master the social and emotional skills that were the focus of their groups.

    So successful was this project that I hope to expand it dramatically next school year. I will soon be writing a project for a larger rock tumbler so that I can use this concept in whole classroom lessons with my 5th-grade students. The possibilities there seem infinite!

    In the meantime... Thank you for believing in this quirky little project. Going forward, tumbling rocks will be a mainstay in my small groups as a way to talk honestly about the investment of time and energy required for real change to take hold and to see the dramatic results that occur when that investment is persistently made.

    While your donations were used to purchase a small rock tumbler, some rocks, and the necessary supplies, the true result of your kindness and generosity is much, much larger: My students now have in their "social-emotional tool boxes" skills that will serve them well in their relationships with others at home, school, in the workplace, and in the community, now and in the future. You can be assured that your gift has made a real difference in the lives of my students!”

    With gratitude,

    Dr. Taylor

    This classroom project was brought to life by Produce For Kids & Publix and 31 other donors.
  • Please Join Us On a New Carpet Adventure

    Funded Jan 18, 2014

    Thank you so much for helping us obtain a new rug. My students immediately fell head over heels for the new colorful rug. I immediately rolled it my classroom and began using it the next day.

    The nice thing about this classroom rug is that it includes 30 individual squares for each of my students to sit on, plus still have room to spare. This rug includes 5 different colored rows and my students now each have a designated spot for them to sit on the rug. This classroom rug with a specific spot for each student to sit on has become a helpful classroom management tool. Now that my students have a designated spot on the rug, it has helped my students to remain better focus when they are seated on the rug. It has also helped them with their personal space. They are no longer hovering over their peers or accidentally hitting someone as they move around.

    This project has boosted my teaching and my students' learning by allowing us an opportunity to learn while my students are seated on the rug. Instructional time is not being lost as students argue back and forth for their own personal space. They are able to sit on their designated space and listen during read aloud time. They are able to tend to the lessons during math and writing. Having a rug in any classroom is essential. Thank you to all the donors for contributing towards this project. You are the best!”

    With gratitude,

    Mrs. Hernandez

    This classroom project was brought to life by First 5 LA and 34 other donors.
  • We Need an iPad to Interact

    Funded Jan 14, 2014

    Thank you so much for your contributions to our iPad project. My students love having a classroom iPad. They are enjoying exploring all of the apps that I have found, free, for them. They love then teaching each other how to use the various apps.

    These wonderful students are truly digital "natives." They are so confident with technology. By having access to the iPad all day in the classroom, they don't have to wait until we get the class set. These kids are so wonderful and responsible with this technology because they know it came to our classroom through wonderful donors like yourselves.

    It might not seem like one iPad would have an impact on twenty-two students, but it has! Thank you for your support of putting technology into classrooms.”

    With gratitude,

    Mrs. D'Arcy

    This classroom project was brought to life by Disney and 39 other donors.
  • Books are the Quietest and Most Constant of Friends.

    Funded Dec 29, 2013

    Words seem so inadequate when trying to express gratitude. "WOW!" "Yesssss!" and "Cool!" (an expression still used by their teacher)as heard when opening all their new supplies would be a much better way for you to feel their appreciation. The students have been making real progress in Reading, thanks in part to the materials provided through your generosity. During small group instruction, students are practicing metacognition strategies which we know leads to the motivation to learn. Higher order thinking takes place when students use a variety of strategies while reading; thanks to their many new learning tools they are doing just that.”

    With gratitude,

    Teacher

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