Mrs. Starr's Classroom Edit display name

Past projects 19

• Project Passport

  Funded May 10, 2024

  Thank you so much for the art supplies. We have been busy creating life-size posters of the body using the paper and pens you purchased for us. The students selected a character to feature on their poster, traced the outline of a member of the team and got busy bringing it to life. They included important organs and highlighted all the tissues of the body. The thing they were most pleased about was having pens in various skin tones so they could really capture the essence of their characters. These posters will hang around our atrium for the entire student body to admire. All students are invited to vote for the most creative and most informative posters in each period. Because of your generous donations, this year's posters are extraordinary. I even had a student who did the project last year come by and tell me how impressed he is with this year's selection.

  Thanks you again for supporting my classroom and my fabulous students!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Starr

  This classroom project was brought to life by General Motors and 14 other donors.

• Desks Make the Room

  Funded Nov 8, 2023

  Thank you so much for the wonderful new desks. My students are able to reorganize themselves to form groups of different sizes as the desks do not have side bars. This enables us to do more creative learning and collaborate on a daily basis. For my left handed students, they remove the hinderance of working around the bar. My students were so excited to get the desks they helped me unpack the desks and haul them to the classroom despite it being hot and having to carry the desks upstairs! I know they take great pride in having new desks in the room as they do not write all over them like they did the old broken desks we had before. Your generosity has made an impact on these students and will continue to do so for future generations. Thank you again.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Starr

  This classroom project was brought to life by General Motors & Young Sheldon on CBS and 31 other donors.

• No Bones About It!

  Funded Oct 21, 2021

  Thank you so much for the skeleton we received from the 'No Bones About It" project. We had a great time solving a forensic mystery using the skeleton as a guide. Students had to determine the sex, race and height of an unknown individual and relied on the full skeleton for help. Additionally, students learned the names of bones and articulations which required a full skeleton to fully understand. Your generous donations made this unit come alive [figuratively, not literally :)]. It is always a great experience for students when we can do hands-on activities.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Starr

• Getting a Jump on the New Year

  Funded Aug 12, 2021

  I cannot begin to thank you enough for supporting my classroom and students. I know a new computer does not seem like the most exciting project, but it is already making a world of difference. My previous computer, while not all that old, showed signs of being out dated. The new computer is lightning fast, doesn't randomly close down down during class and has amazing graphics. With a tough screen, it also makes navigation a breeze. The kids love presenting their slides and appreciate the updates to the daily agenda and notes. Thank you again for making this possible.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Starr

  This classroom project was brought to life by Bill Gates and 2 other donors.

• A Bloody Good Idea!

  Funded Mar 15, 2021

  Thank you so much for supporting my "Bloody Good Idea" project. My students received individual lab packets with supplies to type the blood (simulated) of 4 suspects in a robbery. They were able to learn how blood typing works by seeing the reactions in real time and solve a mystery at the same time. Given the restrictions of distance learning it was wonderful to be able to provide them with a lab experience. The kids all commented on how much fun they had and how great it was to get to do hands-on work. Thank you again for making this possible!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Starr

• Mapping Our Brain

  Funded Jan 10, 2021

  Thank you so much for supporting my class in this project. With the funds, I purchased white swim caps and permanent markers. My students had a volunteer wear the swim cap while they mapped the parts of the brain on the surface. I really like this activity because it helps students gain perspective on the locations and relative sizes of structures in their brain. They often tell me they didn't realize the 'thinking areas' were so big or the 'smelling areas' were so small. They also get a better sense for why the parts are named the way they are.

  I wish I could show you the fun they had doing this activity. The best part is many students had a parent wear the cap while they did the project. It is great to see them answer questions from the parents and just have fun with mom or dad! Thank you again for making this lab experience possible for my students in distance learning.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Starr

• Improving Distance Learning

  Funded Mar 7, 2021

  Thank you so much for supporting my class project "Improving Distance Learning." With the funds, I purchased an iPad that can be used to create lessons using a variety of apps like Explain Everything, Screencastify, and Good Note.

  I received an Apple Pencil earlier in the year and have been unable to make use of it. This new iPad will pair with that Apple Pencil and allow me to further extend learning in the classroom or on Zoom. I have several students who have shown me some amazing ways to use the two tools so I look forward to creating some exciting new lessons.

  Thank you again for your continued support!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Starr

• Love the Skin You're In!

  Funded Nov 5, 2020

  Thanks you so much for your support of my classroom and crazy distance learning project ideas! With your donations, I purchased corks and pins to make "testers" for skin sensitivity. Students used the homemade testers to figure out where the skin is most and least sensitive. We also tested for sensitivity to temperature and pressure. Because students are at home, they got to be the examiner and test a family member which they loved. You will see in their pictures how much fun they had doing this activity. While it is not the same as being at school, it is fun to give them the opportunity do do something off Zoom. Thank you again for helping me make this possible for my amazing students!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Starr

• Enzymes on a Budget

  Funded Sep 16, 2020

  Thank you so much for your generous support of my class and my students. Your donations were used to make lab kits for my students stuck at home doing distance learning. We explored the behavior of enzymes and tried to determine the optimal conditions for a specific enzyme, Catalase. The kits contained test tubes, pH paper, forceps, yeast, droppers, baking soda, vinegar, and hydrogen peroxide.

  My students were overjoyed to do hands-on work. Many enjoyed working in their yard or kitchen and having a break from staring at a screen all day. I am sorry the pictures cannot really show you the fun we had especially when the reaction caused the lids to shoot off the test tubes!

  Thanks you again for your partnership with us as we learn mew ways to learn!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Starr

  This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose 20th Anniversary Fund and 6 other donors.

• Teaching an Old Dog New Tricks

  Funded Aug 11, 2020

  It is with a grateful heart I say thank you for funding my project, "Teaching an Old Dog New Tricks." As I looked to start my thirtieth year in education, I really wasn't sure how to meet the new challenges of distance learning. I realized technology was vital to the experience and I was sorely lacking in this department. For my students to have the best possible experience, I needed to modernize and I turned to you.

  Thank you for funding a webcam, headset, and Apple pencil that has made my ability to communicate and connect with students so much easier. As I see students struggle with technology issues, I realize the divide distance learning is creating and at its core is access to technology. I truly wish there was a funding opportunity like Donors Choose for students.

  You also funded a set of whiteboards, pens, and erasers for my students. We have been having fun writing responses to questions and showing off the answers on screen. Students seem to really appreciate this as it takes the focus off the individual and allows them to be one of the crowd. I have seen greater participation when we use this tool. Again, thank you for your generous and continued support.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Starr

  This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 11 other donors.