Past projects 72
Learning to Compare and Contrast
Funded Dec 30, 2018Words aren't enough to tell you how much we appreciate what our donors have done for our students. I've watched my students and seen how grateful they are. I've also watched how they have learned from your example, and how they have become more generous and kind they have become. My students have learned that receiving these items isn't the only lesson in giving they have received. They have also learned that in simple things they can give that special feeling of receiving to others.
They have learned to share not only their books, but also their ideas. I work with some very exceptional students who have abilities above grade-level. A small prompt will have them take off in discussions. After they read these books they sat down together to compare what made them similar and what made them different. It sounds like an assignment that I gave to them, but it wasn't. Even though that was my intention when I requested these three books, the students took it upon themselves to find out why these three particular books! They used a Socratic discussion to compare the books and find the similarities and differences. They have made me proud knowing that they are my students! Thank you, Donors, for making such a difference!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Cundiff
We're Learning to Love to Read!
Funded Dec 26, 2018Thank you. These words are so insignificant compared to the excitement we see when a nine year old student realizes that he can read! When that child, the one that people were giving up on, has that flash in his eyes. This same child who picks up that book, the one that they made a movie out of, or that he has seen a classmate reading and laughing and enjoying, and he opens the cover and finds he can read it too! This has been made possible by so many generous people that have opened their hearts to them and provided them some books.
And all I can say is: thank you.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Cundiff
There Is a Writer Hidden Within Me!
Funded Dec 27, 2018It's impossible to relay to you how much your donation to our classroom has meant to my students. We started school with a few kids that had fun writing, but the rest would groan. We created a writing club (a private club: you had to write to join!) and they suddenly wanted to be writers! We're using Jennifer Serravallo's "Go-To Books for Writing, and The Writing Strategies Book as our starting point, and the kids are loving it! They love listening to and reading the books, but they also love jumping into the writing.
We have gone from a classroom full of students who would whine when they were asked to read, into a class that I have to keep asking to put their writing away: it's math time! The favorite time of the week is when we pull out the microphones and the kids sit down and read their stories to each other. We've had tears and laughter. and mouths dropping when they become amazed at what their friends have written! This is one of the best projects we've ever had, and it's all because you made it real! Thank you!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Cundiff
Listening and Learning With Chromebooks
Funded Dec 13, 2018Thank you for helping our classroom and school reach the goal of 1-1 Chromebooks for our students! My kids are now able to work independently on different projects without having to wait for their turn to use a computer. We no longer have to schedule the computer lab so they can practice their typing skills. Technology is very important to their futures, and learning to use it responsibly is essential to these same futures.
Without our donors our students would be struggling. With our donors we are able to brighten their future. Many of my students are without any technology at home. They rely on our school to help build their experiences, and making their futures brighter.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Cundiff
How to Become Financially Literate as a Child!
Funded Dec 20, 2018Thank you so much for what you have done for my classroom! Money in the classroom is so small, and showing a dime to 27 little children just doesn't work! By creating a project that has large physical money pieces to use has made all of the difference! We do a review of past learning 1-2 times a week, and the money is always the go-to! We got two sets so that we share with the other classrooms, and they are thrilled! The Money book has become their favorite homework as well!
Thank you for everything you do for us! You have really made a difference!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Cundiff
This classroom project was brought to life by Wells Fargo and one other donor.Creating Lifelong Readers
Funded Dec 16, 2018I had a 8 year old student come up to me last week, so angry she almost couldn't talk! She was reading the Boy in the Striped Pajamas. She had gotten to the part where a little boy asked his dad why "those people were wearing striped pajamas", and the father responded "those aren't people." She claimed that was "so wrong. He should never say that about someone else." She went back to her group, and even though it was silent reading time, they were talking about this. Another boy came up to me crying: I'm sorry I've been such a bully this year. I didn't realize how awful it is. And then he started going around to kids that he had bullied all year, apologizing.
This book, and the many others that our wonderful donors have helped provide, have made a major impact on our students. Lecturing, calling in parents, taking away privileges didn't make a difference for this boy, but reading a book did. Thank you for helping make such a difference.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Cundiff
Let's WIN While We Read!
Funded Dec 13, 2018It is so remarkable and heartening to know that there are people out there that are concerned about our children's education!
I have 54 students who excel in reading: high achievers and gifted both. They are so excited that they have a special place to read and work on higher level reading projects. Not only are they reading more, they are begging to read! These are the same students that just a few months ago were not inspired to pick up a book when they could be doing something else. Now they are going out to the common area and bringing in a bean bag chair or a pillow to flop down and read in the room when their work is finished. They are storing their book and equipment neatly, now that they have a cart to keep them on.
How exciting when we got a phone call from the office saying that we had a package delivered. They couldn't all go down to retrieve it, but they did get to help open it. Their excitement and cheers were amazing, and all because of donors like you!
Thank you for making such a difference in our children's lives!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Cundiff
Listen Up: Let's Take Our Reading Farther!
Funded Oct 8, 2018Thank you so much for your contributions to my classroom. I have many students who are reading above grade level, but I also have several who are falling far below. They are becoming excited about reading, but not the books on their own levels. Adding the audio component, along with some books to follow along, has leveled the playing field for these students. They can join a friend to read and listen to a book, and be on the same level as their peers. I've been watching them gain confidence in their own skills, and become willing to try harder books.
Thank you for helping our students succeed!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Cundiff
Who's Eating the Glue?
Funded May 18, 2018The basics are obvious: pencils, scissors, and glue. These staples are what make the biggest difference between having quality lessons, and just making-do. Thanks to donors like you, our students are becoming successful at everything they do: I'm serious...EVERYTHING! I have remarkable students. They are so grateful for something as simple as a pencil. They've been told that complete strangers are helping them succeed, and they have decided that they will do everything they can to make you proud of them!
Thank you, Donors, for making such a wonderful difference in the school-lives of our children!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Cundiff
Books, and Papers, and Pencils, OH MY!
Funded Jul 12, 2018The basics are obvious: pencils, scissors, books and papers. These staples are what make the biggest difference between having quality lessons, and just making-do. Thanks to donors like you, our students are becoming successful at everything they do: I'm serious...EVERYTHING! I have remarkable students. They are so grateful for something as simple as a pencil. They've been told that complete strangers are helping them succeed, and they have decided that they will do everything they can to make you proud of them!
I love our class meetings. They are the ones who started applauding when I was explaining who supplied our classroom! They are also the little jokers who decided what our pictures would look like: and borrowed my camera to take them! (No hair was ever cut in the making of this package!)
Thank you, Donors, for making such a wonderful difference in the school-lives of our children!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Cundiff