Completed:A Place to Call My Own - Is It Really Important?
"Peers are one of the best teaching tools within my classroom. Currently, I teach a second grade class in a small community within Louisiana. Throughout the day, I teach reading, math, social living, language and spelling. More importantly, I teach students life skills that I hope will help them t...
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"Peers are one of the best teaching tools within my classroom. Currently, I teach a second grade class in a small community within Louisiana. Throughout the day, I teach reading, math, social living, language and spelling. More importantly, I teach students life skills that I hope will help them to be successful community members.
You walk into your new second grade classroom and look around while butterflies dance in your tummy. You would like to locate "your own space" to help settle your nerves. But wait - do you sit in a desk that is way too small or do you sit at those tables with three other students? As a child walks into my classroom, they are faced with all of these questions. The school has supplied my classroom with desks that are as old as I am. In addition, I went out and purchased tables (you know the ones with the raised dots so that when you write your paper has little bumps) and located chairs from around the school to replace some of the desk that were just too small. I would like to give my students an opportunity to learn within their own comfort level. I feel giving them their own work space can help. In addition, I feel peers are one of the most important teaching tools within the four walls of my classroom.
Currently, I need twenty new desks that all of my children can feel comfortable sitting in. The desks would give the students their own space yet can be easily pulled together to allow the students the opportunity to help each other learn through group projects and buddy reading. Remember, I feel that peers are a great teaching tool and the desk would be beneficial in allowing me to use my greatest free resource (the students). It would also help my students feel important. Think about the way you feel if you go to a meeting and you have no place to sit or the chair they gave you is uncomfortable. Do you really gain all you can from that meeting? Are you thinking about getting up and moving or is your focus on what is being discussed? Our students face too many obstacles throughout the day. We need to take away as many distractions as we can so that they are free to learn.
Please help me give my students the opportunity to have a wonderful learning experience within my classroom by giving them a comfortable place to learn and discover new things. Just picture the students sitting in their new "space" with smiles across their faces because by purchasing their new desk you have given them a safe place to shine.
My students need 20 desks to have their own space while having the ability to complete group projects.
The cost of this proposal is $1,138, which includes shipping for any materials requested and fulfillment ."
Mrs. Z. sent this note after the project was fully funded:
Nov 16, 2008
Dear Stephanie, Eurie, Danalyn, Peggy, patricia, Lori Heddinger, Katherine, Nicole, M. Harris, Robyn, PadmaS, Leslie, Sarah, Rae, John, Natasha, Jamie, Cambria, Jodi, Francia, Angelica, Michelle, Aron, CS, Fiona, The Rabaudi Family, Bronwen, Georgia, Stephanie W, nephthys, Nathaniel, Susan, Nancy, cord, Heather, Kelly, Mrs. Ryan, Sharon, Dara, Jennifer, Annie, The Yipit Team, dianna, Amanda, Jonna and Anonymous Donors,
I would like to send out a huge THANK YOU for the support you have given to my students. We are very excited about our new desks and I have already started designing new projects that these desks will allow me to accomplish while given the children a greater since of pride. By supporting my students, you are helping enhance their learning ability as well as their communication skills through group work. They are currently learning about being a part of a community and how just doing one small act of kindness can make a huge impact on others. Your act of kindness will be greatly appreciated for years to come and is a prime example of what they are learning. By supporting my classroom, you are showing children that there are still good people in our world. Once again I would like to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for given my students a place to call their own. Not only have you made a great impact on this class, but all of my future students who will be able to walk in the classroom on the first day of school and claim their own space for learning and growing.
THANKS,
Mrs. Z
Second Grade
On Mar 16, 2009, Mrs. Z. followed this note with student letters sent via mail to the donor who completed this project, and to donors who gave $100 or more.
"My life is better because of all the great teachers like yours who care about their students. You deserve to learn in a comfortable environment. Always remember, you all have what it takes to be whatever you want to be. "
"I'm stationed in the Middle East, but I care about kids having the resources they need to learn - I'm glad my love of Apartment Therapy pointed me in the direction of this site!"
"I really appreciate Apartment Therapy suggested that we each give $5. I'm worried about money right now, but I can afford $5. I'm glad to be a small part of making a difference."
"You should have all the tools you need for learning so you can enjoy your time at school. It is such a precious time, so take advantage of it - listen to your teachers and grow up to be wonderful, smart people!
Lots of love and luck to you all!"
"I had to share a really wobbly desk when I was in elementary school. I hope you can better concentrate on your studies when you get your own desk! Reach for the stars!"
"I gave to this project because... I believe in DonorsChoose.org and what they do to help teachers and students in need. And I've been following ApartmentTherapy.com since 2004, so when I saw the request to help, how could I not?"
"My mother and grandmother were both teachers who struggled to inspire their students in environments that were not conducive to learning. It makes me sad that so much effort, intelligence, patience, and kindness from great teachers goes to waste because of the material deficiencies in their classrooms."
"the future of our world are in the hands of our teachers...we should all do our part to support them in providing a comfortable, safe place for our students to come and learn every day. happy studying to all of you!"
"Kids, never, ever, believe that one person can't make a difference! Your teacher made a difference by listing this need on a website, and many other individuals made a difference by joining their small contributions with others, so that your class can now have desks."
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Kathleen N. (volunteer)
on Aug 21, 2008
