Review of the three Donors Choose Applications

I chose all of these Donors Choose projects because they were from my hometown school district. I was most intrigued with this because I know the environment and the resources the teachers are teaching in. the WDMCS school district is familiar to me and because of that I already have a connection to these projects which makes me skeptical. The WDMCS school district supports teachers very well and often times provides exactly what the students need to succeed.

Responsible & Organized - 
the teacher did a good job of provided visuals of exactly what was needed for the classroom. The teacher did a good job of using technology as her reasoning for keeping it safe and organized. technology has multiple different uses in the classroom and because the content can relate to so many different aspects of learning it is likely to get funded.

Movement Matters - 
the teacher does a good jobs of laying the scene of what her typical classroom looks like, why they need the new chairs, how it would change their classroom, and what it would look like after. the teacher also provided a visual of their classroom so the donators could see how the chairs would fit In.

Kindergarten Carpet Crazies
the teacher did not do very well on this one. the teacher is asking for a carpet but does not specify why it is really so important. the teacher does not connect it to before or after getting the carpet and it is not seen as being essential to the environment and enrichment of the classroom. 

I think what they all did well was highlight the importance of the space or materials that they needed. They directly tied someone’s empathy for children with the needs of the children, using great examples and uses for the items. I think it was fascinating that all of these things also seem likes things funding through the school should take care of and it is a little disturbing to see teachers ask the public for items such as music stands. Music stands are essential to learning music and learning an intsrrument, it is sad to see that a teacher needs to ask for these online and cannot receive them from school funding. This is why I think the most important thing they did was work the edge of someone’s empathy and care for children. They all give multiple examples of these items are necessary for their students. 

The first donors choose application I saw was for a teacher asking for supplies for students with disabilities. The thing that caught my attention to clicking on that specific application was the picture. I knew what an IEP was and the boy with the shirt made it the application seem that it was geared for studetns. Then, the application was like many of the other applications, which talked about how the teacher wanted to provide a specific atmosphere for the students to be able to decompress and learn in. 

The second donors choose I reviewed was one about a teacher asking for manipulatives for her classroom. This one did a really good job of having a strong title and asking for something that was feasible and understandable compared to the third donors choose applications that I saw. Although the third application had a really neat title that caught my attention and made me laugh, the second application was more simple and specific for the materials needed in the classroom. The third application, however, had more donors giving to their cause, but for me I felt like there was a lot of materials that were really expensive. However, the teacher in th third application did explain that it was to create a stimulating classroom for her students. 

I honestly really enjoyed the applications and would donate to at least the ones calling for better learning spaces if I had money I could spare. I think they were straight to the point and did a great job about listing the finances they needed. However, unless you look up the item on amazon or wherever it is they are wanting to purchase it from, then it is hard to understand what exactly they wanted. They were very vague on how exactly it would help and how it would function in the classroom. 

I also liked how they mentioned their students and made the application about them, but they again remained very vague. They used general terms and quickly diverted to what was needed for the classroom which I honestly wasn't a fan of. If it is supposed to be there to help your students then tell me about your students! Give me examples about how this object I am helping to pay for is going to help these specific students!

The first I reviewed was Ms. Dilbeck's Sensory Pathway for Hess Elementary School. I think she explained the rationale and need for the project exceedingly well, mentioning how the path would benefit all students. I like how Ms. Dilbeck mentioned how some students identified with autism are in a gen. ed. setting and how the pathway could work to "decrease anxiety and behaviors and help with focus and attention so all of our students can have more success in their classrooms." In addition, I noticed that she included 7-8 tags as well as a picture example similar to her goal for the pathway. She also briefly explained how each piece of the pathway would benefit students, which was great! However, it is obvious that little attention had been paid to grammar/mechanics, and some advanced vocabulary without explanation of the meaning. The grammar/mechanics isn't a huge issue for me--no one is perfect, but it's pretty much non-existent besides periods and capitalization, which may be off-putting towards some donors. In addition, she utilized advanced word choice such as "proprioceptive input" and "vestibular input" without much explanation, which may appear intimidating to some donors. I don't think they're MAJOR issues, but at the same time, you're trying to convince people to donate their hard earned money to your project. I'm sure there are some donors that come from a SpEd or health services background, but I'm guessing that most don't. Therefore, they would have absolutely no clue as to what the meaning is of those big, fancy words. Also, I tend to notice more of the mechanical/grammatical mistakes that people make in their writing, so I'm not sure if anyone else would even notice some of the corrections that needed to be made. If it were my project, I wouldn't want to take any chances. Why would I give someone a reason to pass up on my brilliant project?

Second, I reviewed the Emergency Support for Students project for William H Mason Elementary School. Mrs. Hebert, founder of the project, did a phenomenal job describing the population and community of students that she works with. The description concise, but I feel that if I were to donate, that my money would be making a real impact in these students' lives. I also enjoyed the rhetoric used in her appeal; it really made it stand out. The "My Project" section was also extremely concise, and I feel like she could have expanded a bit more. I liked how she mentioned that she has purchased several items for her classroom, but her budget simply did not allow for it. Similar to Ms. Dilbeck, she used several tags, but she included a picture of her classroom door, which makes sense. I felt her appeal was extremely effective and pulled at the heart strings. 

Lastly, I viewed Mrs. Sprouse's Coffee is the Best Monday Motivation Project for C T OVerton Elementary School. To be honest, I LOVE her project and the goals motivating it. All sections are concise yet full of voice and enthusiasm. I enjoyed how she tied in academic goals as well as social skills goals as well as the critical importance of both to thrive in our society. I also enjoy how Mrs. Sprouse explicitly stated how the project and activities would benefit the student's academically as well as realistically. For example, she said " The children are working on verbal communication making eye contact and following multi-step directions as well as developing strong math, reading, and writing abilities" without making the reader feel incompetent. I also enjoyed how she focused more on the students' attitudes rather than demographics and the importance of the project to their lives. I can't really think of any criticisms for this one other than maybe using more tags (she only used 4), but I'm also extremely biased. 

The first project I reviewed was 'A Special Place My Library'. This project wants to create a welcoming and inclusive learning environment within the school's library. Ms. McNutt, the librarian, is specifically asking for new carpets and 5 to 8 beanbag chairs. This will accompany new artwork in the library that will provide students a cool place to learn, study, and collaborate. This project would positively impact all students instead of one class. Apparently, most of the students are low income and they actually use the library's resources often. Ms. McNutt does a great job of describing what her goals are, and what the donations would provide. There is little to no descriptions of students other than describing the students as low-income. Also there is no description of the school or the current state of the library. However, there is a picture of their library which is helpful. 

The second project I reviewed was 'Comic Books in the Classroom'. This project is requesting donations in order to purchase comic books for a 12th grade Heroes and Villains in Literature class. Ms. Fletcher does a great job of going into detail regarding her project and goals. Ms. Fletcher also does a great job of describing her students, school, and community. However, the cover image for the project is a stock image. It would have been great if Ms. Fletcher could have used a picture of her students or classroom. 

The last project I reviewed was '100 Heartbeats'. Ms. Pekarcik wants to purchase Jeff Corwin's book entitled 100 Heartbeats about endangered species and efforts in place to save them. Her students are 12th graders in a zoology elective. I fully support her effort to raise awareness and educate students on the topic of endangered species. However, Ms. Pekarcik does a poor job of 'selling' me or motivating me to contribute. Ms. Pekarcik does not discuss her students, school or community. Many of her sentences begin with 'I' or 'My'. She wrote less about her project and students than the other two projects. I think it would be beneficial to go into as much detail as possible. The only reason I would want to contribute to this project is because animal conservation is important to me. 

The first Donors Choose application I looked at was a teacher asking for money to buy her 1st graders tablets so they can work in groups with technology. I liked this because I see the potential in having technology for students who are so young. However, I think she could have added more about what kind of stuff she would have them do when using the tablets. If I was donating, I’d like to know what skills they would acquire throughout the use of tech. The second one I looked at was a classroom in Norman where the teacher wanted to supply her classroom with robots. She was very detailed in her description of the type of students she has, as well as how it will benefit them in their academic life. She explained how many different disciplines she will teach by using the robots. I thought her explanation was very convincing and would benefit her students. The third application I reviewed was a Norman teacher asking for basic supplies for her classroom. She was looking for printing ink, tape, staples, and other necessities for her everyday life in the classroom. It was not as detailed, and it felt like it was mostly about what she needs rather than what the students need and what will benefit them. While reading them, I learned that in order to get donations for something, the application should be for the benefit of the students, detailed, and honest. Referring to the needs of the student while referencing curriculum is a strong way to get donors to look at your project. 

Musician-specific chairs: The teacher did an excellent job describing why the chairs they currently have are not sufficient such as that they are old, falling apart, and uncomfortable for students. She also justified getting musician-specific chairs because of their benefits to promoting good musician posture. She also reiterated the low-income circumstances of the school and the large number of students that would be impacted. 
However, she had a few grammatical issues in her writing that shows she did not spend much time making the project presentable. She also could have benefitted from mentioning their involvement in the community or the benefits of music on students such as grades, motivation, etc. 
Book project:
I do not think the project to get books will be very hard to fund. For younger students, reading in class is a must. It teaches them to read, listen, and think through social situations that arise in their stories. She put emphasis on the social and communicative aspect, which was good. I think it may have been helpful for her to give a few reasons why some of the books she chose are important. She also could have mentioned what other things they will do with the stories such as individual projects or student discussion. 
Archery project:
The project to raise funds for an archery team is near and dear to me because this was my archery team in high school! It was definitely an extra curricular / 7th hour sport that was not given equal representation or funding by the school. I like how Mrs. Palace mentioned the benefits archery has in regards to the core classes and learning. However, she should have mentioned the poor quality of resources the program has such as the fact that they have to practice under the stadium, in a makeshift range in the same room as the batting cages. The targets were funded by the families of students and the coaches themselves, and many students have to have heir own bows. The adversity this team has already faced for about 7 years would have been a good thing to add to their story. 

With the three applications that I have decided to critique, I chose them because I felt like they all had good motivation for their submission. Of course, furthering education is always a good motivation, but I felt like each of these applications was beneficial in creating lasting educational experiences for the children in their respective classrooms. One of them is about an urban greenhouse, another for calculators, and a third for a book on conservation. Overall, I felt like all of them hit the nail on the head. They talked about their respective students and why they had decided to use an application to get the funding. They want their students to learn more about the world around them. 

Secret Sensory Tool:   The strengths that this donor choose page had was that it did give a clear representation to what the classroom looked like and why the teacher was asking for what she was asking for. However, the teacher did not give enough examples to how these resources will help their bodies calm down, if I were a donor, I would want to know the evidence behind why the recourses would help the students. I also think the picture she advertised was not appealing and she could have used something else.      

Train Like a Girl:   This donor choose page had a lot of strengths. For one the picture was good for donors because they are able to put a face to who they are donating too which can be appealing. The coach also gave great characteristics for the girls and also gave clear goals that they were reaching towards and how what they were asking for would help them reach these goals. I think something that they could add is maybe more description to the adversity her students have faced and how being female athletes helped them overcome those steps.

  Building a Space for ALL Students to Succeed:   Something that was great about this donor choose page was that she emphasized how much she loved her kids and wanted to help them. She pointed out what kind of classroom she was in and how students with autism think and learn differently than most people. She also explained how each thing she asked for would help the student. Overall, I think this was the best page.

The first Donors Choose application was a little lacking in detail. The teacher is asking for VERSATILES, but she doesn't explain what they are exactly or how they can be used for learning. It just says that they would help her classroom. I think to improve the page, she should include more about the thing she is asking for. I do like how she talks about her students. She writes how smart they are, and how she wants to help them with Donors Choose. She also mentions the diversity of her classroom, which I think is smart. 


I thought that the second Donors Choose application was really great! It starts out by talking about the size of the school, and how many students that the project would help. Since the project is asking for a class set of dictionary, they make sure to point out that it would help students in the whole school, not just their own classroom. They also focus on the demographics of the student body, in this case it's 70% ELLs, which would really benefit from dictionaries.

The final Donors Choose application was also good, but not as good as the second one. It focused on the students and what kind of learners they are. It also talks about how they struggle in the classroom, yet have a passion to learn. I liked this part of the application. It really focuses on what is important to the teacher- her students. The teacher also makes good reasons for what she asks for.  She explains her project and why it is important. I think that she should also include why it would be good for the school as a whole, and not just her own class!