Past projects 13
Tablets to Support Parent Engagement
Funded Mar 31, 2017Thanks again for breathing life into this project! We are currently experiencing a district-wide budget freeze, and many sites are struggling to maintain basic supplies such as printer paper. We are exploring ways to reduce our paper trail, and these tablets will allow us to assign homework digitally. There is a major digital divide in the Bay Area- we are at the forefront of technological innovation, yet many families in my community lack basic internet access. These tablets will help ensure that students can access our learning programs outside of school, and will help bolster their computer literacy. Again, we are so appreciative of your donation!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Baugher
This classroom project was brought to life by Salesforce.com Foundation and 3 other donors.A Library That Students Can See Themselves In
Funded Dec 19, 2016Thanks so much for donating to this project! These books have been a tremendous resource, especially during Black History Month. We hosted volunteers for the African American read-in, and my students were thrilled to have a guest reader share some of these books with them. We also added two new bins to our library to feature books about social justice and diversity. As a white teacher, I strive to create a learning environment that reflects students' cultures and elevates their voice. Thank you for helping to make my classroom more responsive!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Baugher
This classroom project was brought to life by GO Public Schools Oakland and 9 other donors.Building Empathy Through Reading
Funded Dec 21, 2016Thanks so much for donating to this project! Our character trait unit is full swing, and students are learning how to "put themselves in their characters' shoes". A few of the photos attached show students imagining what their character would say, and using post-its to create speech bubbles. This fun reader's workshop activity pushes students to empathize with the characters in their books, promoting a deeper understanding of complex emotions like jealousy, gratitude, frustration, and more. Thanks so much for filling my classroom with grade-appropriate book series! We are so appreciative of your support.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Baugher
This classroom project was brought to life by GO Public Schools Oakland and 3 other donors.Help Oakland Students Connect Reading to the Real World
Funded Nov 19, 2016Thank you again for the books, solar system model, and butterfly nursery! We have just kicked off a nonfiction unit, and I am teaching my students how to identify the difference between fiction books (which tell a story) and nonfiction books (which teach us information). The supplies you funded make this task both easy and interesting. My students will soon choose a topic to become "experts" on, and they are so excited to dive in!
Our butterfly nursery has just arrived, and we spent our recess looking for twigs and leaves to decorate the caterpillars' new home. We also made a class book to describe the butterfly cycle. With real-life caterpillars to accompany the unit, I know they will never forget it. Thanks again for making my classroom a fun and exciting place to learn!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Baugher
Classroom Supplies to Fuel the Year
Funded Sep 11, 2016Thank you for fueling my classroom with essential supplies! It was a teacher's dream come true to see the box full of markers, whisper phones, and literacy games. The whisper phones have been tremendously helpful for our reading block, as it is critical for early readers to hear themselves practice their sounds and words. We use the literacy games during rainy day recess, as well as "choice time" at the end of the day. Lastly, it is so comforting to know my kiddos can complete board work routines without having to worry about their markers running out of ink. Thank you again for helping our classroom run smoothly! We are truly grateful.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Baugher
Books, Boards, And Supplies Oh My!
Funded Mar 27, 2016Thank you for fueling my classroom with essential supplies! I am floored by the generosity of the donors and the speed at which this project got funded.
We are using the "write and wipe" boards during phonics and board work routines. I especially appreciate how the boards are lined, as it helps scaffold my students' letter formation skills. We are using the new books during read-alouds and "reader's workshop". My students LOVE Mo Willems books, and it was incredible to see the smiles on their faces when the new supplies arrived.
Thank you again!!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Baugher
Phonics Intervention for Struggling Readers
Funded Mar 9, 2016Thank you so much for funding this project! I am so excited to see how my students engage with these resources. First graders learn through play and exploration. They need hands-on experiences to solidify the content, and this project will provide them with that opportunity. I will use these materials during "literacy centers", which means students will rotate to different stations. As the class is engaged in independent work, I will pull small groups of students to work on targeted phonics intervention. We are endlessly grateful for your support!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Baugher
Life Essentials for Oakland Youth
Funded Jan 16, 2016We are incredibly grateful for your contributions to this project. I recently sent home a letter to families informing them of your generous donations. I asked them to indicate whether they could use some snacks or a first aid kit, and I received an overwhelming response. Many families also called, texted, or thanked me in person for the extra support. While I certainly played a role in helping them access these supplies, it was ultimately your donations that made it possible. Thank you so much for supporting the families in my community!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Baugher
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose.org Team and 13 other donors.Support 1st Grade Character Development!
Funded Dec 4, 2015I can't thank you enough for supporting this project! Our most recent character trait of the month is Leadership, and we are exploring leadership in its various forms. We started with the book "One", discussing reasons why it might be hard to stand up to a bully. We continued this discourse through the books "Two", "The Juicebox Bully" and "The Invisible Boy". We committed ourselves to creating a culture of respect, and we brainstormed what this might look like both inside and outside of the classroom.
I have also started creating bins with books that match each character trait (see pictures attached). Students have access to these books at various times of the day, and they love returning to them. They are also starting to identify themes within their own books, a task that 1st graders are not typically expected to take on. For example, a student was recently reading a book I was not yet familiar with, and she called me over excitedly. She then explained that it was a resilience book because the dog did not give up. I am incredibly excited to watch my students continue to generalize these traits in both the books they read and their everyday experiences.
As I plan for the months to come, I look forward to continually involving students and families in conversations about character development. I am also incredibly grateful for the influx of books that you helped provide us with. Again, thank you for your critical role in this process!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Baugher
Classroom Supplies to Fuel the Year
Funded Sep 22, 2015Thank you for fueling my classroom with essential supplies! It was a teacher's dream come true to see the box full of markers, bins, labels, a number chart, and play doh. The chart included a number of academic games to play with my students, all of which they have loved. It is so comforting to know my kiddos can complete board work routines without having to worry about their markers running out of ink. Lastly, we had our first "rainy day recess" last week, during which time my students tested out the play doh. They are now praying for rain so they can use it again! Thank you again for your generous donation. It has made such a tremendous impact!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Baugher