Applied Learning: Reddit Gifts for the Teachers 2016

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As the school year comes to a close, so does my class' experience with the novel, "Wonder." This is my first time teaching this novel, and I plan to use the gift you've given with my future students, as well.

My student's adore this book, and are eager to get to reading so they can learn about a new character or hear another joke from the main character, August Pullman. I typically begin a section of the book by reading it aloud. I love to hear my students laugh, make connections, or even cry, as we read the book together. After I read the book to them, we discuss the characters and their motivations - Are they making the right choices? Why did they make that choice? What would you do? Etc. My students then work with their "Wonder-ful" partner to reread the section and answer text-based questions together. This allows them to get closer to the text and get a perspective they might not have otherwise heard.

As much as I enjoyed watching my students love "Wonder," my favorite part of this experience has been watching them learn to "Choose Kind." The novel you gave to my students isn't just pleasure reading, it's a look through the eyes of a fifth grade boy who has been different his whole life. When we read it, we see how the world looks to him and we realize that what we do - our words, and actions - affect those we interact with in ways we wouldn't have imagined without Auggie's help. When my kids hear something mean, they now repeat the phrase, "Choose kind."

Reading a book like this, like the one you made possible for my classroom, is about more than gathering facts. A book like this touches the heart and leaves a lasting impression that I hope my students will carry with them as they enter the big wide world of middle school.”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Duever

I cannot begin to tell you what an impact flexible seating has made in my classroom. My students are more able to focus on tasks and look forward to activities in which we use flexible seating. My pillows, "backpatter" seats, reading pillows, and bean bag chairs are used most often during morning work, math & reading station activities, free reading time, and during whole group activities. The wobble stools are probably my students' favorite addition to our classroom.

As a matter of fact, when we were making our Kindergarten Memories book last week, one of my students wrote that his favorite thing about Kindergarten were the stools! I use them for small group instruction, and the students truly benefit from the chance to move. Other students from other classrooms are even jealous because we are "the class with the stools"! I have noticed student engagement and excitement for learning increase.

Thank you so much for donating to my classroom and for truly making a difference in their daily lives.”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Peacemaker

My classroom has become a better more productive space due to your overwhelming gift of kindness. My children were so excited to see the beanbags, carpet squares and pillows to arrive. Once we established the rules for each item they were super excited to try out the new productive work stations. Our next steps will be to add wobble stools to further assist the special needs of my students! I look forward to seeing how these items will help the classes to come. Thank you so much for your generosity!”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Barger

Finally the screen is up! The installation process was delayed because of the needed approval from the maintenance department.

This pull down screen was very much needed. Every time our students had a presentation or we planned on projecting a video or power point inside the cafeteria, our only resource was a tiny portable screen. We wasted a lot of time in preparation and the outcome was not optimal.

The new screen will allow our students to set up everything themselves. It also opens a world of possibilities for creativity. We can hold workshops, evening events and most important, our students will be able to project their work to more than one group.

We are very grateful to all the gracious donors that may this request possible.”

With gratitude,

Teacher W.

Thank you for supporting this project and providing my students with an addition way to continue to integrate computer science into our learning. It has been four years since I started incorporating computer science and coding with my students. Since then we have gotten the whole school to embrace computer science. Students really enjoy and love how coding helps with their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. By building on these 21st Century skills, our students are ready for whatever comes their way in the world. We are changing the way instruction is delivered within our school. My students love using the iPads and Osmo coding blocks. They are able to hands-on code using the connecting blocks and link them in the same way that they do on the computers.

We are delighted to add this amazing opportunity to our learning environment. The addition is helping to complete our classroom makeover. We really are grateful for your support and kindness towards us. The future continues to shines brightly because of people like you who continue to show heart.”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Richardson

I would like to thank you sincerely from the bottom of my heart. The generosity you showed in donating to classes in need is so helpful in these times. Many students are priced out of essentials. You helped fill that need.

We use the magazines daily to practice reading skills. Students take their time with print materials. They are exposed to information they more than likely they would not get. The pictures inspire them to learn more. The best part is that the magazine is theirs to keep.

With literacy being at the forefront, reading is essential. These magazines help students understand the importance of staying informed with current events. This is global economy and students must be introduced to places outside of their doorsteps. This project exposed them to more than they know just from their limited experiences.”

With gratitude,

Ms. Platt

I am completely blown away by all of your generosity, and want to write you to share some stories from our classroom. Our class (really about 6 classes of middle schoolers - 180 students) is beginning a Hip Hop Unit, where students will be critically analyzing and crafting poetry, as well as critiquing and arranging music that tells the story of their lives. This project would be impossible without chromebooks.

Outside of class time, students are also using the chromebooks to write journals, researching colleges online and learning about the A-G requirements for California public universities, writing high school applications, and learning about how to evaluate the credibility of . And I am seeing their typing skills improve dramatically in the process! I have one students who has started and has maintained a blog analyzing the state of her home country - El Salvador - and writing the stories of her family and friends immigration, as well as diving deep into the roots of the horrible violence that is afflicting so many Salvadoreans. She is doing this all as an extra credit project - and it is inspiring to watch her use the resources available to her in such a creative and deep way.

Thank you again for you generous donations - please know how much my students and I appreciate your choice to share the resources available to you with my young people. The kids mean a lot to me and so does your support of them.”

With gratitude,

Ms. Marika