Once you've taken a look at this week's new project, keep scrolling below for an update on last week's projects and some exciting news about the Donors Choose organization.
Reminder: Look for "The Inoculation Project" every Friday afternoon!
The Inoculation Project: Math & Science in Red State Schools
Solid science education is the best inoculation against ignorance.
The objective of this weekly project is to combat the anti-science push in conservative America by providing direct funding each week to math and science projects in red state classrooms.
Fortunately, a conduit organization for achieving this direct funding already exists: DonorsChoose.org. DonorsChoose.org allows you to make direct contributions to specific classroom projects (all vetted), resulting in tremendous and immediate impacts from small dollar donations.
Each week we focus on funding a single small-dollar project in a red state classroom. These are projects whose funding requests are expiring within the next 7 days. If the projects are not funded by their expiration date, they die.
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This Week's Project
Project: Make Me Laugh
Resources: science games and quiz cards to add to our Lunch & Games time spent in the classroom during lunch and recess
School Poverty Level: High
State: Texas
Total Cost: $265.78
Still Needed: $240.78 $200.78
Expires: May 12, 2010
Teacher's Comments:
I teach in a wonderful school with the friendliest students and staff. You would be surprised to find out that 68% of our students are on free or reduced lunches. We do not focus on the deficiencies of our students, but instead we have high expectations for our students, and we help them reach their academic goals.
Our students respond well when they are shown genuine interest by their classmates and teachers. I find time and time again, that if my students are playing an educational game and everyone is enjoying themselves - learning takes place. Make me laugh, and I will learn.
Our students earn tickets throughout the school for excellence. Students use these tickets to purchase several rewards. One such reward is to eat lunch in my classroom and play games. This is also a time to walk around my classroom and visit the class pets and interact with many of the science projects. This time is enjoyed by the students because the atmosphere is relaxed and laughter comes easily. I am actively involved with the students playing games along with them. This is a wonderful time for students to converse with a variety of students as well as their teacher. I find students are more comfortable during this time to ask me questions or tell me things on their mind. During this time I also stress cooperation, good sportsmanship, and simple courtesies. This adds to the enjoyment of our Lunch & Games treat.
I taught math for several years and purchased several math games. We are presently using these, but I want to incorporate science games since this is now my specialty. I want the students to be familiar and comfortable with the vocabulary and the science concepts presented in the games. Your help in purchasing the games I have selected will ensure that much science learning will take place as children are excited that they are able to play with their friends and teacher. They probably won't even realize that they are preparing for the state science test they will be taking the following year! Your contribution will go a long way in making several classes of students happy and successful in science. Thank you.
Please consider rescuing this project by making a small donation to it. Small dollars make a big difference.
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Great News
Last week was kind of nuts! After several months under the rader, The Inoculation Project exploded onto the Rec list and people were exceptionally generous! Not only did we fund our "official" project of the week, but we gobbled up a bonus project, and then when that was done, folks in the comments went looking for more to fund. I cannot begin to express how grateful I am to you all! Let's keep it going!
Here are thank you notes from the "official" and "bonus" project teachers:
Apr 30, 2010
I am so excited about the materials you have funded for me!!! We have just learned at our school that we will be piloting a new program next year that will require many hands-on projects. The glue, pencils, and colored pencils provided with this grant will go a long way in the development of new math skills using hands on creative projects to learn math. Thank you so much for donating to the students in my class. Your support of my students' education is greatly appreciated.
With gratitude,
Ms. P.
May 1, 2010
Thank you so much for fulfilling our request for orchestra supplies. You have helped us to come closer to our vision of developing one of the best string orchestra programs. For the past three years we have been recruiting new students through our Music and Arts programs. It is important that we supply our students with quality supplies including strings, shoulder rests and other equipment.
Students who study music learn the joy of music first-hand through concert performance and they learn to work cooperatively with their peers. They also learn to focus and take direction, problem-solve and develop good study habits. Students derive great personal satisfaction from the study of music by opening up their creative abilities
There aren’t enough ways to explain how your donation has helped. The more people who give, the more children there will be reaping the benefits of a musical education. The children know and appreciate your efforts. Thanks again.
With gratitude,
Ms. S.
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Donors Choose Needs Your Help!
DonorChoose.org is up for an American Express Members Project Award and they need your vote! If they win, they'll get $200,000 to apply to classroom projects all over the country!
Voting ends May 23th, so please go register at the Members Project website and cast your vote for Donors Choose (under the Education section). They're currently winning, but only just barely.
PS
Someone from Donors Choose contacted me last week, and they're really excited about what we're doing here!
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Projects Funded So Far
Can we grow this list of successes?
The Viking Shark Project
Weight Our Learning
Complications - Reading to Learn About the Human Body
The Colorful World of Science
Fill Our Display Case!
Magnetic Learning
Caught By A Kiss
Add, Subtract, Write, and Save the Trees!
Math Mania!
AVID Style Interactive Notebooks
Human Body Study for my Science Class
Physics Visuals
Rocks Rock at Knox
Owl Pellet Fun!
To the Front of the Class
Help A Fishy Cause
Microscopes for Illumination
What Day is it? I Forgot!
Absent Scientists
Math Centers Full of Learning!
Time For Kids?
Extend Our Learning
We've Got the Power to Learn Math (Help Us Get Charged Up)
We Are "Mac-ing!"
Help CreateNew Experiences & LearningThrough Nonfiction Text
Projecting Success!
Help Us See. Help Us Learn
Save The World ... Make It A Better Place!
Feathered Friends
Write and Stick Learning
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Helpful Links
DonorsChoose.org
DonorsChoose.org Blog
DonorsChoose.org Donor FAQ
All DonorsChoose.org Math & Science Projects
Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with DonorsChoose.org, or any of the classroom projects presented for funding. I'm just volunteering my time and pixels to make a difference.