Room 300 was able to order 3-4 hands-on activities for each week.. These craft kits supplement the unit the students are learning about animals and habitats.

The picture attached are the books I bought with my FOC stipen! I bought 5 copies of each title to use in my guided reading groups!

My kids love the fun stories!

We were able to purchase some new learning toys, books, and paint supplies that were picked out by our students! They have been loving all the new materials added to our class.

Room 310 was able to purchase materials to create our “cheers for peers” bulletin board where students recognize their peers and teachers for making an impact in their lives. They also purchased materials used for projects with our reading buddies. On each of the lightbulbs the big buddies (7/8) and the little buddies (k/1) wrote ways they could be kind in school.

Room 206 used the funds to purchase a small couch for their classroom library. Students enjoy reading on this couch. They also got new lights which brings a calming energy and a soft relaxed ambiance.

Room 211 got art supplies & board games for the students to use in the classroom. Games were purchased with varying levels of complexity and familiarity for the students. Also purchased were various essential classroom items like chart paper, markers, and pencil grips. We have used these games to reinforce essential classroom (and life!) skills such as teamwork, taking care of materials, communicating with others, resolving conflict, and reading directions. It gives students real life experiences for building and applying these skills – it helps that they get to have fun while doing it!

High School Entrance Exam Breakfast + Snacks

Rooms 302 and 302 pooled their stipend together to organize two events for our 8th graders. The first was for their all-important High School Entrance Exam in November 9. Our students had put in much effort preparing for this crucial test that helped determine their placement for next year. To help them fuel up that morning, we lay out a spread of healthy fruits, baked goods, juice, and filling treats from McDonald’s. We also assembled snack bags with granola bars, fruit snacks, and mints for them to munch on for extra energy in between tests. Our 8th graders were ready to go and it showed! We are excited for all of our future freshmen next year! (4 photos + 1 movie attached)

Holiday Party

 

The 8th graders had a busy December with HolidayGram fundraising and various extracurricular events, in addition to rigorous academics during 2nd quarter. We celebrated their efforts as a class with a holiday party. A highlight was our Gingerbread House Contest – materials purchased using our stipend. With Mr. Boettjer as our impartial judge, the 8th grade wrapped up on a joyful and festive note before winter break! (5 photos attached)

FOC’s classroom donation has come in handy ALL year. Here are some of the wonderful activities or materials room 202 was able to purchase:

 

– MANY Teachers Pay Teachers purchases: escape rooms, review bingo game, a color by number figurative language practice, task cards, scavenger hunts– SO many wonderful materials.

– I purchased play doh for a hands-on science activity during our digestion unit (picture attached)

– The funds were used to purchase snacks for my incentive bin

– I was able to purchase new scissors, stickers, and colored paper, all of which are used heavily in my classroom.

– Lastly, additional books for our book clubs this year!

As part of the middle school Cluster curriculum, we incorporate our academic lessons and skills into Functional Life Skills lessons. Last year, room 303 built a culinary program at Cleveland, funding supplies necessary to teach students how to use different utensils and appliances. And this year, with the help of FOC’s donation, the students have been able to fund several cooking lessons, putting those science nutrition and math addition/fraction skills to the test! Students were introduced to using measuring cups, locating where different ingredients are kept in the kitchen, how to use a microwave, hot plate, blender, and instant pot. The students have been able to generalize the skills they are working on in their small group lessons and give them meaning.

Funds were used to purchase 2 flex-chairs that we needed for our growing class, a class-set of black binders, clear pocket folders, and expo markers.

Coming into this year, many of my students were behind grade level in reading and writing. This meant that the books in my classroom that normally serve well for second graders, were not going to work well for the students in front of me for this year. This money allowed for my co-teacher and I to get creative in our personalization of the students’ learning. Each student got a binder that was exclusively theirs, where they could put all their reading resources that were on THEIR personal level. These binders have served us well all year, as we have used them every single day in class, and students take them home each weekend! Through them, students have learned organizational skills, responsibility for their own work, and feel proud of how far they have come from the beginning of their binders!

We used the funds for a class pet: hermit crabs!

 Before purchasing the crabs, we read a couple of books about them and made notes about what they need. The hermit crabs have been a great way to get children thinking about science concepts, particularly habitats. Children voted on names, and they chose Guaca and Mole. Together, we have learned that hermit crabs like to hide and are more active at night, but children enjoy finding the crabs in their hiding spots and relish the moments that the crabs are more active in their tank during the school day. At various points since we got them in January, the crabs have burrowed under the substrate for weeks at a time, during which period we do not see them at all. I wondered how much of my language about molting and growing was getting through to the children, so I was pleased when I overheard children explaining to our substitute teachers that, while Guaca is out and about, Mole is “under the dirt” because “he’s growing.”

The funds were used to purchase various hands-on literacy and math games and a classroom magnetic letters kit. These are used for independent practice at work stations. Room 111 purchased a giant magnetic writing page that is used for modeling during writing. Clipboards were also purchased for extra flexible seating options in our classroom.

With the stipend money, we were able to purchase more supplies, materials, and art projects for the students to do during their last weeks of school. -glue -markers -crafts for 1. Cinco de Mayo 2. Mother’s Day 3. Bird trees/feeders 4. Father’s Day 5. Forth of July & other summer time events 6. Weather wheels The students in my class enjoy creating hands on crafts and activities that they can share with their families at home!