"Our First Grade class in Michigan aspires to graduate college in the year 2025, and without a solid foundation in reading and your help, this dream may be just that, a dream.
As a low income area, our students and parents face many struggles. Our students and parents have much to worry about in ...
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"Our First Grade class in Michigan aspires to graduate college in the year 2025, and without a solid foundation in reading and your help, this dream may be just that, a dream.
As a low income area, our students and parents face many struggles. Our students and parents have much to worry about in this struggling economy, especially because many of them did not have the opportunity to go to college. Our school is adopting and is heavily vested in a college readiness program called "No Excuses University", which inspires all children to excel in school and gives them understanding that 12th grade is not the end of their schooling career. For many of our parents and students, it is a struggle to purchase uniforms, school supplies, and in some cases food for dinner. Therefore, many of these children do not have the opportunity to access the wonderful literature that is on our bookshelves and in stores. Furthermore, many of these parents may be struggling readers themselves, which limits the child's appreciation and exposure to such literature. These children need your help to delve into the world of literature and to develop an appreciation for books and the opportunities that being a great reader will provide them.
As a first grade classroom teacher, I am proposing some assistance to start my listening center library and retelling station of my classroom. In this area, students will have the ability to delve into wonderful literature and listen to the mechanics of a fluent reader. Furthermore, with the storytelling boards and props, students will have an interactive way to develop comprehension skills and retell the story in their own words.
Your help will empower my students to develop good reading and comprehension skills, develop and appreciation for books and literature, and inspire the children to continue schooling. We believe that all students can go to college and be successful regardless of their circumstance, and with your help, we can inspire students to believe in themselves and understand that they can do what ever it is that their heart desires. We are teaching the future and it is imperative that our future is literate and inspired to change the world.
My students need a collection of CD Read-Alongs, including "Three Billy Goats Gruff", a Tabletop Storytelling Board and 3 Storytelling Kits, for titles such as "It Looked Like Spilt Milk" and "The Very Hungry Caterpillar".
Dear Lori, Vanessa, Jane, Kim, Karen, Ilyse, Jeni, M. Giant and M. Edium and Anonymous Donors,
I cannot even begin to explain the joy that I feel watching the students enjoy the new resources that you have provided them.They absolutely love listening to the stories on cd and continue to grow as readers in our classroom.One of my favorite things about teaching first grade is seeing the growth in the area of literacy in my students over the course of the year.With the opportunity that you have provided them, they are flourishing as readers, and they are loving every second of it.
When I announce to the class that listening center will be opened for the day, a look of joy and excitement quickly comes over them.Immediately, they are asking if their group can go to listening center first.Although each group gets to experience listening center when it is opened, a look of disappointment comes over those who do not get to go to it first.During indoor recess time, listening center is a popular request. They also enjoy retelling the stories on the story board and with puppets. It is an interactive and fun way for them to perform a necessary skill.
We cannot thank you enough for the opportunity that you have provided the students in my classroom.It is because of you that the students are able to experience a wide variety of literature that keeps them engaged and excited to learn and read.Because of your generosity, you have opened a door that may not have otherwise been opened. Thank you for your kindness and dedication to the education of our youth.
With gratitude, Mrs. Z.
Mrs. Z. sent this note after the project was fully funded:
Nov 30, 2009
Dear Lori, Vanessa, Jane, Kim, Karen, Ilyse, Jeni, M. Giant and M. Edium and Anonymous Donors,
I cannot fully express the joy and gratitude that I feel. You have given our classroom a vital tool in reading. With your generous donations, my students will be able to experience reading in a completely different light. They will have fluent reading modeled to them daily, which will inspire them to become fluent readers themselves. All of my students love books, and those who cannot read, long for the ability to. This truly is the first step in the right direction toward a literate world for each of my students. Not only will they be able to enjoy the wonderful world of literacy in the classroom, I hope that your donations will inspire each of my students to go to the library or pick up a book at home. Your donations have also provided my students a unique hands-on approach to comprehension competence as well. Students will be able to self-monitor their listening and reading comprehension skills in a fun and interactive way, which will further develop a love for reading.
It is with deepest gratitude that I send this letter to you. You have opened a door to literacy that may not have been as easily opened without your help. I can't wait to introduce these resources to the students and further inspire the children to be literate. My students are college bound, and because of your generosity, they will have another resource to push them towards their ultimate life goals. You have truly inspired me and will have a profound impact on my students.
With gratitude, Mrs. Z.
On Jan 25, 2010, 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.
Reviewed the project essay and sent follow-up questions if needed.
Suhjung K. (volunteer)
on Aug 29, 2009
Verified the cost of the requested books and posted this project.
Ryan G. (associate)
on Aug 29, 2009
A donor
gave
on Oct 12, 2009
"The "Bet Red" drive from tomatonation.com moved me to give, but *you* all inspired me. The school years are so very important in forming what you'll become, and I want you to have every opportunity possible to grow up healthy and dreaming. I don't want a lack of funding to keep you from exploring your futures. You *matter,* and I'm giving the funds to prove it!"
"Ilyse, Thank you so much for your donation!!! Literacy is the foundation of all education and you are giving our classroom the opportunity to explore the wonderful world of literacy."
The teacher Mrs. Z.
on Nov 25, 2009
"Jeni, Thank you for your generous donation! Because of your help, our classroom has yet another opportunity to love reading!"
The teacher Mrs. Z.
on Nov 25, 2009
"Kim, Thank you so much for your generous donation! Teaching reading to young children truly is one of the most rewarding experiences. And because of you, my class has an opportunity to explore literacy in a way that many children won't."
The teacher Mrs. Z.
on Nov 25, 2009
"We donated because M. Edium (age 5) wants everyone to have fun in school. Go Tomato Nation, and thanks HP for the matching funds."
"M. Giant and M. Edium, Thank you so much for your generous donation to making a more literate world. My students love listening to stories and you have opened a new door for them with your generous donation."
The teacher Mrs. Z.
on Nov 28, 2009
"Jane, Thank you so much for your generous donation. You have opened a door for my students and we are so thankful for people like you who support and believe in us."
The teacher Mrs. Z.
on Nov 28, 2009
"Donor, Thank you so much for your love and support! You have given us yet another resource to explore literature."
The teacher Mrs. Z.
on Nov 28, 2009
"I gave to this project because we believe in kids"
A donor
gave
on Nov 28, 2009
"Donor, Thank you so much for believing in our kids!!!"
The teacher Mrs. Z.
on Nov 29, 2009
"I helped in honor of all the public school teachers who helped me. Thanks to HP too!"
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Suhjung K. (volunteer)
on Aug 29, 2009
