Lights... Action...English! (Classroom Project at DonorsChoose.org)

Lights... Action...English!

Classroom project requested by Ms. N. on Aug 6, 2008

High Poverty

Tennessee

Where is the classroom located?

"I teach in a 90% free lunch school in Tennessee. I teach k-6 English as a Second Language in a closet-like room to 40+ students.

I teach 40+ students on 4 different levels and 7 different grades! I need to create projects that can join all these students together and unite them in my classroom! We..." more»

"I teach in a 90% free lunch school in Tennessee. I teach k-6 English as a Second Language in a closet-like room to 40+ students.

I teach 40+ students on 4 different levels and 7 different grades! I need to create projects that can join all these students together and unite them in my classroom! We also need to show their English speaking peers that they have the skills it takes to be Excellent Student Leaders!

We need a camcorder to enable us to make commercials, weather reports, interview classmates, teachers and others. This will allow my students to practice their English, listen to themselves speak and also create a fun learning environment in a dingy classroom!

Your support on this project will change the lives of my students by giving them the courage and self-esteem that they need to grab English and run with it all the way from elementary school to college! hide»

My students need a camcorder and the accessories necessary to take it everywhere we go from the classroom to the zoo! details»

May 15, 2009 A donor

"These wonderful pictures of students in action really speak for themselves. The class experience of “scientist investigation and interview” is a very interesting and creative use of technology in the classroom. Great idea! We wish you and your students the very best of success with their studies. Keep learning!"

May 11, 2009 Peng Z a staff member at donorschoose.org

Packaged the thank-you letters written by Ms. N.'s students and sent them on to the eligible donor(s).

Apr 14, 2009 A donor

"I’m so glad this has helped. Best wishes to the children and with your work in your classroom."

Mar 1, 2009 Ms. N. the Teacher

Bigger Photos

Reply to the classroom

Dear Memphis Hawkeye Club, Nancy, Pam, Jennifer and Anonymous Donor,

This letter feels like a small token compared to the enormously generous gift that you all provided. The camera is already in use! We are currently working on a project that requires the students to research an underwater animal and discover different facts about it. The students will then be placed in pairs where one student will then play an interviewer and the other a scientist. The interviewer will be asking the scientist questions about their animal and the scientist will have to provide the answers from memory. We will then watch the videos and discuss the similarities and differences between different student's fluency levels, and how we can improve. We will be doing similar projects throughout the rest of the year.

There is no way that our closet of a classroom could become so technologically advanced without your help. Our entire school system has had budget cuts and teachers are provided $75 a semester for all their classroom needs. Thank you again for your generous gift of technology.

With gratitude,
Ms. N.

Reply to the classroom

Feb 17, 2009 Jenni D a staff member at donorschoose.org

Purchased the technology for Ms. N.'s classroom and notified the school principal of delivery.

Feb 17, 2009 Ms. N. the Teacher

Dear Memphis Hawkeye Club, Nancy, Pam, Jennifer and Anonymous Donor,

I cannot express the happiness and joy that your donation will bring to our classroom! It is becoming later and later in the school year and the students are getting restless. Your donation will allow me to give my students the final push they need to make their goals of 2 years or more growth in their reading and writing. We are looking forward to progressing by completing several projects with the camera that you have so generously funded. Some of these activities will include performing plays and taping them, sending out weather reports to the school via video on Fridays, taping poems that we write and taping our presentations about our cumulative knowledge for each unit that we complete. The camera will allow my students to gain the confidence they need to read and speak English in front of native speakers. This will in turn prepare them for their college career down the road.

Thank you so very much for your generous contribution and please know that you have transformed our year into a super year!

With gratitude,
Ms. N.

Reply to the classroom

Feb 13, 2009 DonorsChoose.org

Good news: Project fully funded!

Feb 10, 2009 A donor

"I gave to this project because my daughter is a Teach for America Language Arts teacher in a NYC high poverty school. I understand the hard work and sacrifice that you make every day for our children. As a very proud, school teachers Father , I wish you great and lasting success."

Jan 27, 2009 Jennifer gave

Jan 10, 2009 Memphis Hawkeye Club from Germantown, TN

"I gave to this project because the Memphis University of Iowa Alumni club supports the students and teachers of Corning Elementary."

Jan 2, 2009 Pam gave

Nov 15, 2008 Nancy gave from Collierville, TN

Aug 10, 2008 Beth A a staff member at donorschoose.org

Verified the cost of the requested technology and posted this project.

Aug 10, 2008 Beth A a staff member at donorschoose.org

Reviewed the project essay and sent follow-up questions if needed.

Please notify our staff of any messages or photos of concern.

Aug 6, 2008Ms. N. - Teacher

Project Details

Materials	Vendor	Price	#	Total
SONY DCRHC38 DVC CAMCORDER -- Sony Camcorders; MiniDV Handycam DCR-HC38	Quill Corporation	$299.99	1	$299.99
PREMIUM CAMCORDER TAPE MINIDV 60MIN -- Sony Camcorder Tapes; Premium MiniDV, 60 Min., 2/Pack	Quill Corporation	$17.99	1	$17.99
CANON CAMCORDER STARTER KIT	Best Buy	$79.99	1	$79.99
OMNISOURCE UNIVERSAL CHARGER 3.6V-7.4V LI-ION CAMCORDER & C -- Lenmar OmniSource Universal Lithium-Ion Charger	Quill Corporation	$39.99	1	$39.99

Vendor Shipping Charges				$43.80
State Sales Tax				$0.00
3rd Party Payment Processing Fee				$10.95
Fulfillment Labor & Materials				$17.00
Project Cost Excluding Donation to Support DonorsChoose.org				$510.00
Optional Donation to Support DonorsChoose.org				$111.95
Project Cost Including Donation to Support DonorsChoose.org				$621.95
5 Donors				-$621.95
To Go				$0.00