Review of the three Donors Choose Applications

I think they all had titles that got to the point. They all were good at describing the demographics of their class. I wish they all had real pictures of their classroom because it helps you connect more. I would like to see more catchy or fun titles to draw more attention. The words used in class description are probably true but over used. I would like to see them post about the personalities of the students not just their poor district. I would also like to read about the teacher a little more, tell me how teaching is your passion and why. These pages did not have matching donations which would be awesome for the teachers to do. Maybe if they put some examples of how their requests have proven to work well in other classrooms or schools that would help donors choose them. Possibly statistics on how their idea has helped other students. Just evidence to convince the donor that yes this will work and here is how I know it will. 

5 Tips for writing a winning Donors choose application:

1. The title is the first thing that a potential donor will see, so having a title that stands out is important.
Two of the three I chose follow this, "Launch us into 2017 with Launchers and Cases!" caught my attention right off the bat. And "New Instruments" could be changed to something like "Saxophones for aspiring Musicians", or something like that. 

2. Make sure to double check the application for any errors.
The second project I picked had two sentences in the same paragraph that said the same thing. 

3.Be very clear. Who? What? and Why?
All three projects followed this

4. Make sure to mention what happens if the project is not funded.
The first project said that due to a lack of instruments, students drop out of the program and have feelings of personal failure.

5. Be Positve!
All three projects were positive, in talking about the students and the benefits the fully funded project would bring. 

1: The Power of the Fidget 
--When I first saw this title I was drawn into the project immediately. The goal the social worker had was to raise money to be able to buy things for the students that she visits with to help them open up more. These objects would be objects meant to be fidgeted with. When I read this, I was surprised because I had these same tendencies growing up, where I would always need to be fidgeting with something or tapping my foot at all times of the day. I know how stressful it can be and it does lead to distractions. I felt like this report was written well in that she seemed very interested in the process that she could make with students had she had these tools at her disposal. Students could be more willing to open up when they are able to control these tendencies. She did a really good job of directing the focus on what the typical middle schooler looks like in that they are always having issues and questions especially in a low income area. 

2: We Want to Visit a California Mission
-- I chose this one because I was brought back to being a student in elementary school when we would take field trips. We would always be introduced to a whole world that a text book or our teacher could never teach us. It gives that one on one attention and direction that some students respond better to. I really liked this because the teacher seemed genuinely interested in the experience that his students should have rather than just taking them on a field trip for no purpose. He was talking about the experience itself they could have and the importance that it holds with them. He can't teach them this information, they should have first hand experience to fully understand what they would be learning. I thought he did a good job of articulating the meaning and the purpose behind the experience they would be having. Students would be able to have first hand observations about the site itself instead of just reading about it. They would be able to learn this and explore on their own and then come back as a group and discuss it. 

3: Two Lonely Music Stands Seeking New Friends
--I was first attracted to this one because of its title. I was honestly wondering if I had gone to the wrong site or that somehow someone could sell something on the page. This is what made me initially click on the post. I then started reading and found out this wasn't the case at all. I realized that the school is in a low income area and that this is all the music stands that they have total. All of the students have been using the floor to hold their music. I was really touched by this project because I was in Orchestra since 4th grade and so I had a personal connection to the project. I know how hard it can be to not have enough stands or to try and place an instrument while the music is on the floor, which was never good for posture while playing the instrument. One thing I really liked that this author did was had the reading envision their reaction to a certain situation and to have them think deeper about how they would feel, it appeals to the emotions of the people that are reading and considering donating. Another good thing she does is speak of her students so genuinely and like she really wants to see them succeed for real reasons and not just for something that may be superficial. 


After looking and reviewing these Donor Choose accounts I would say that 5 ways to write a winning Donors Choose Application would be to do the following: 
1: Explain your reasoning in detail, including specific instances with students to make it more personable and relatable. 
2: Have the reader imagine what they would feel in a certain situation based -- relate it back to emotions. 
3: Show how genuinely you care about your students and their performance after they are out of your class. 
4: Talk about your students, not directly and specifically, but their opinions and stories about them that would make people realize that there are real students behind all of these projects. 
5: Don't just always ask for money for material objects but also ask for money for things like field trips that provide experiences rather than objects. Experiences last a lot longer with students and their learning. 

Bria Sanders
February 20, 2017
EIPT 3043

Donors Choose Review Starbucks Comfort in the Classroom…Without the Coffee of Course! – I really like the title for this project because it is an eye-catcher. However, I do feel that the teacher should have a better explanation as to why she needs a donation for new and flexible seating for the kindergartners. I like how she uses the environment of a typical Starbucks coffee shop to related back to how she wants the students to feel in her classroom, but I do not believe that people will want to fund this project simply because the teacher wants the students to feel more comfortable in the classroom. There are other ways this can be done. Furthermore, she talks about how the students need materials to release their energy. As a future teacher, we have been taught many other activities that can help students release their energy at no cost by moving around and getting the students up and active.

Technology in Our Math Class – I did not like the title for this project because it did not stand out to me. Also, the picture that Ms. Barker chose to use for the project also had nothing to do with what she was asking for which was also not clear. I could not tell if Ms. Baker was asking for one iPad for her whole class or if she was asking for multiple iPad. Her explanation also included many grammatical errors. When asking for donations I feel that it is important to make sure that the message that the teacher is trying to get across to the audience is clear and that any pictures included relate to the text.

Fire up Our Classroom – starting with the title, it was not very catchy, but the overall message was. At first I thought that this would be another typical request for technology with no good argument to suffice. However, I like how the teacher stated what she was asking for, which was Kindle Fire tablets for her students, but she also gave legit reasons as to why she needed them and how they would be beneficial to for her students. The teacher even included many different apps that she would be using for the classroom and how each app would be used.

5 tips for writing a winning donors choose application:
1.      Make sure that the title is interesting to get your audience’s attention
2.      Make sure that if there are pictures included in the donation request that the pictures are related to what you are asking for.
3.      Read and re-read the donor application to insure that there are no grammatical errors. People will not take applicants serious if they cannot double check their application before submitting it.
4.      Make sure that the message that the applicant is trying to get across is clear. Sometime the audience will not understand exactly what you are asking for if the message does not clearly state so.
5.      If the applicant is asking for donations for materials, they should check to make sure there are not already alternatives in place of what they are asking for. Potential donors will try to find alternative ways to insure a classroom is successful before they make a contribution to unnecessary materials.    

What they did well: 
New Chromebooks to Have Access to the World!: I think that this teacher did a great job of expressing how much she loves her students and why they need chromebooks in the classroom. I like that she emphasizes their need for it specifically in relation to the language barrier in the classroom. 
Technology for Research: I think that she did well with explaining the different backgrounds that her students come from, and how she can use this technology to benefit every one of them. 
KES Kiosk and Positive Behavior Support: I think this teacher did a nice job explaining why allowing students to have this form of "currency" is important.

What they did not do well: 
New Chromebooks to Have Access to the World!: The teacher could have done a better job of explaining in detail how she plans to use the chromebooks and how she will educate her students on how to use them. I think that the more detail used when asking for money, the more likely people will be to give because they know exactly what their money is going toward. 
Technology for Research: For starters, I think that this teacher should have used a better title, one that would grab viewers attention when scrolling through the website. The teacher also should have used a different profile picture, hers is of a ring with text underneath it and it does not seem very professional. The teacher did not explain how she would get her students acclimated with technology. 
KES Kiosk and Positive Behavior Support: This teacher did not use a creative title or picture to grab the viewers attention. The teacher did not explain how incentives have influenced behavior specifically since the school implemented the Kiosk strategy. 

5 Tips on Writing a Donors Page Well: 
1. Make sure that the title is something that would grab a viewers attention and peak their interest in your project. 
2. Make sure that you sound professional in your writing on your page. 
3. Make sure to explain in great detail exactly how you plan to implement whatever you are requesting donations for in your classroom. 
4. Give a clear explanation of why this would impact your students learning, give specific learning objectives that pieces of technology can help your students reach. 
5. Make sure that you explain your classroom dynamic and express your passion for teaching and helping your students in your writing as well. 

I connected with all three DonorsChoose links that I chose (obviously) because the first two had to do with music, and the last one was in Noble, OK. I love that you can search for projects on specific subjects or locations, because when you are able to connect with the reason for the fundraising or you know it's right around the corner from your neighborhoood, it makes it that much easier to give. It was super cool to see specifically what my money would be used for. I searched for fundraisers to do with music, because music is a passion of mine, so I immediately found some that I would love to help out. Then, I searched for my hometown, which had results but it said there were no projects currently for those schools, so I looked at the surrounding areas and found one in Noble. It is just so easy to find specific projects that you can connect your passions with, especially in schools because most people want to share their passions with kids. 

Donor one: “Keep Calm and Diffuse On!”  
This is a campaign to raise $556 for an essential oil diffuser and specific oils. It says this project will impact 18 students in a high poverty school. The teacher says “we make a point of assessing their holistic well-being before we start our day.” If it is a high poverty school means 65% or more of the school is on free or reduced lunches, according to the website. If I were not already skeptical of essential oils, I would pause at that statement. If the children are in a high poverty environment, chances are they are not getting enough food at home. This teacher wants to provide scents that will “promote appropriate behavior.” Personally, I think this is a ridiculous amount of money to help only 18 students be less stressed and behave more appropriate. Fortunately, or unfortunately depending who you are, I stumbled across this fundraiser by searching “physiology.” It obviously was not what I was looking for, but it did catch my attention.    

Donor two: “Breakout of Science!”  
This one caught my eye because of the short bio it provided. The teacher mentioned that the technology provided a lot of things, including over 250 games available on this one device. Her project goal is $390 and the content will reach 150 students. It seems like she will be putting the money to good use and affects the most students possible in the Oklahoma City school system. She talked about the hands-on experience her students thrived on. They were not just “games” they allowed the students to think critically about material they were going over in class. The teacher talked about how this fosters motivation for their content and how it can relate to the real world. All of the things, I recognize, as important for the students.  

Donor three: “Wild About Animals: A Zoo Investigation”
I appreciate how this teacher highlighted the school’s low socioeconomic status and how important she sees her role as a teacher. She plans on assigning wild animals to her students. A trip to the zoo will give them an opportunity to get out of the school and observe these animals. However, the goal is $942 for the entry fees for 20 students. The project goal also attempts to provide “t-shirt to wear to easily be identified.” There are 20 students. Surely there will be other chaperones going on the trip to make 20 students manageable. I do not know if it is necessary to ask for the funds to buy each student a shirt so they can be easily identified. If this was an actual worry, I feel like they could ask the students to wear a school shirt or a shirt of a certain color. I know this also might be a lot to ask of some high poverty schools, but this might be more reasonable than spending over $20 on a elementary student’s t-shirt (I did the math on it).      

Tips: 

• Make sure the quick bio catches attention in a positive way, and also highlights the importance of where the money is going.  

• See that the fundraiser is proportionate to the number of students it will help.  
• Choose a fundraiser that is worthy of a campaign. There are plenty of students in need for actual supplies.   
• Include pertinent keywords so that donors can find projects they are closest to.   
• Lastly, try to come up with a “punny” or catchy title to catch the donors’ attention. “To Science and Beyond,” is more interesting than “Science Tools.” 

I was initially drawn into this application based on the title. Being a huge Disney fan, the word "Epcot" stuck out to me as an awesome experience for students to encounter. When reading further into the project, the teacher did a fantastic job of making this potential field trip into a learning experience for her students. The teacher described how their class was doing a year long study on different cultures of the world, and Epcot would be a way for her students to interact and experience what they have been learning in the class. At first, I didn't see this being a reasonable field trip since Disney is extremely expensive, however, the teacher listed a detailed financial statement of the costs and the fundraiser would cover about 30% of the costs. Ms. Diaz's class is from a rural school, so many of her students would never experience the customs of Epcot from their community. Therefor, this field trip would be a fantastic way for students to understand our diverse globalized world. The downfall of fundraising this trip is that the donors choose funds still wont cover all of the charges for every student to go. Even though it covers almost half of the expenses, there is still a large portion of expenses left.

#2 - Vocabulary Volcanoes

I chose to critique this application based off its creativity and ways of being innovative. Vocabulary Volcanoes is a science project that is tied into a unit of reading and literature. Students take learning outside of the classroom by creating models of volcanoes and volcano vocabulary words from clay, vinegar, and baking soda. Anything that allows students to be hands on and interactive produces positive learning outcomes for both the teacher and the student. Especially this specific project, I enjoyed reading about this fun filled activity that will also help student's knowledge of vocabulary grow. Donations will go towards purchasing clay, baking soda, cleaning vinegar, staples, and tootsie roll pops that will reach 35 students. Since Mrs. M's class is in a high poverty school, experiencing science through the use of hands on manipulatives and materials is extremely limited due to costs. Helping purchase simple materials will allow students to grow to love science and the fun that is tied to it! A downfall to this application is the materials can only be used as a one time experiment. Unlike other resources that can be reused, these materials can't be replenished after use.

#3 - Innovative Library Media Center

Students from a high poverty school in Baton Rouge, Louisiana are in need of tables for their library. When reading about this fundraiser, I was astonished by the fact that their own library couldn't have access to tables for their students to use. I was touched that their own librarian had bought bean bag sacks for her students to use when reading and participating in activities, but even the bean bags weren't enough for students to excel in learning. The tables that would be purchased would go towards creative learning activities that would support collaboration and use of resources. As stated in the description, libraries today are moving more towards a shift in "learning commons" instead of isolated chairs or desks. Interactive reading can help students activate their creativity and flourish their reading difficulty. Another factor that caught my eye was the amount of students this project would reach. Overall, 250 students would get use of the brand new tables. The downfall to this application is the quality of the title. The title describes a "library media center," and the description discusses the purchasing of new tables for collaboration. Although the title was catchy, the accuracy may have thrown readers off.

5 Recommendations
1. A Catchy Picture - Having a quality picture that describes the project you are working towards, or your overall "goal" will draw readers in. The picture needs to be inviting and interesting since it's one of the first things viewers will see when looking at the application.
2. Proper Grammar - Grammar needs to be correct not only in the title, but also in the description box that lists what your project is about. Professionalism is an important marketing tool when trying to reel in viewers into being interested in the product you are publicizing.
3. A Catchy Phrase - Although the product/project is what is most important in donors choose, having a catchy title will make viewers remember your project over the next project. Just like a quality picture, a quality title will be the icing on the cake for the viewers to see.
4. Show compassion - The viewers will be more obligated to support your project over someone else if your description shows the compassion towards the students. Teachers are in need of these resources because they care about the success of their students, so the description should say so too!
5. Make your description lengthy - The description is what sells your project! Viewers want to know more about the project you are wanting funding for, so the description needs to be as detailed and descriptive as possible. The description is what made me choose a specific donors choose over another based off the information the teacher provided. 

Donor One: The first donor page I looked at is called “Auggie and Me: Accepting All Students Part 2.” I originally chose this page because I was interested to see how the teacher was wanting to use Donors Choose to teach acceptance. When I read into the project I realized the teacher wanted a book called “Auggie and Me” to amplify her lesson. I think the teacher could have come up with a more creative title that would grab viewer’s attention but she did make well supported claims for why the book is needed and even included a picture of her students who had diverse ethnicities.  


Donor Two: The second donor page I looked at is called “My Penguins Like to Move It, Move It!” I immediately clicked on this page after reading the cute and unique title. The project was asking for Stay-N-Play Balance balls for the classroom. The balance balls were needed in an effort to keep the teacher’s student’s attention and allow them to get their energy out. I think the teacher did a great job at coming up with a unique title (I probably would have donated just because of the title) but her reasoning was not very strong. I think the teacher could have made a better claim for why the balance balls are important, but I do appreciate how she posted a picture of her students outside about to play and kept with the theme.  


Donor Three: The third donor page I looked at is called “Miss M. Needs School Supplies for Science.” I chose this page because I knew that I would normally overlook it. The title was boring and mundane. The picture she attached was of her kids playing with sugar cubes or something. The teacher’s request was very professional but appeared rushed. I felt as if the teacher could have put in more support and made the page more attracting to viewers.  


Five Tips for a Winning Donors Choose Page:
1.)   The title should be interesting and immediately attract the viewer’s attention.
2.)   The reader should be able to clearly understand what is being requested.
3.)   The teacher should make valid claims (with support) for what they are requesting. 4.)   The picture should relate to the request and amplify the page.
5.)   The teacher should make an effort to connect to the reader. 

Donors Choose Review 
What did they do well? What did they not do well? What are 5 tips that you have for writing a winning Donors Choose application based on what they did well and what they did not do well.
1. Ukuleles for Middle School’s Music Classes #2
This teacher included a picture of his  students who are all dressed very presentably and appear to be watching the teacher and concentrating whilst singing and playing their ukuleles. The teacher gave enough of a description about his students that the reader really felt for, and wanted to help the students. The teacher also says that “music and art related studies increase test scores and more importantly, increase students understanding of core material as well as enhancing their overall educational experience”. The teacher is posting this for a second time, his  first effort was funded and now she is seeking more for her students. This would be another thing that I feel the teacher did well, not only did he include a good description of her students, how music will help their learning, and a good picture of the students' but he has also proven that the funds have already gone to implementing the use of ukuleles in the classroom however now he would like more so that each of his students can have a ukulele. 
I do not feel that I would change anything about this badge, it is informative, it gives evidence as to the benefits of music in schools, and it clearly shows the type of students he is trying to help. 
2. Pre-K Light Table & Accessories 
Ms. Fiel immediately did an excellent job of introducing her students to the donors on donors choose. She works in a District 20 Pre-K center in Brooklyn New York. The school has about 80 students, the majority of whom are learning English. Ms. Fiel states that this science table will motivate the young students to learn new vocabulary and to engage in conversation with their peers. The school is completely free and does not ask for any financial support from the parents, which is why they are relying on donors choose. I think that Ms. Fiel did a great job of introducing the school and the students to us. She then went on to give an in depth and accurate description of the project and how exactly the light table will be used. She includes a section on how the table will enhance the students learning. I think that overall, Ms. Fiel did an excellent job with articulating her cause and need for money. 
The only thing that I would change about it is the picture. The picture is of fire trucks that have obviously been crafted by her students. Instead, I think it would have been better to have a picture of the classroom or the students, if not this, I think a picture of the light science table that she would like to purchase would be more beneficial than a picture of crafted fire trucks. 
3. Keep the Active in Activity! Games for Indoor Activity Periods 
This teacher, Mr. Shoulders is a teacher in a high poverty school in Memphis TN. I thought this was the most excellent of all of the grant proposals that I read. Mr. Shoulders’ started his section about his students off with a quote saying “’you’re the best teacher I’ve ever had’ I’m probably not the best teacher she’s ever had, and definitely won’t be the best she has by the time her schooling is done. What I am though, is on the front end of providing classroom experiences in a district and an environment where students are the last to receive new and exciting resources, if at all”. He ends it by saying that he needs help. I think that this makes the plea personable and also shows the great interaction between the students and teacher at that school. In addition to the great intro, Mr. Shoulders included a very detailed section about where the money would go and why it is so necessary to have it, as well as a picture. I can’t find anything to fault in this grant proposal. 


Based on the things that I read and the 3 grant proposals that I critiqued, the 5 tips that I have for writing a great proposal are as follows: 
1. Make it personal: include a quote or some kind of other sentiment that makes the reader feel like you really care about your students and that this grant is a big deal to both you and them. 2. Use an attention grabbing hook! Mr. Shoulders’ grant proposal really caught my eye because of his initial “you’re the best teacher I’ve ever had” intro. 3. DETAIL. I think that detail is of the utmost important in writing these grants. Why do you need it. What will it be used for. How will it impact your learning environment. 4. Include a picture! I think that the most effective proposals are the ones that allow you to see the students that you will be affecting directly! 5. Don’t be afraid to gush about your students. Tell us why you care so much about them and who exactly we will be helping with our money. 

For my Donors Choose critique, I chose three different art teachers who are requesting supplies for their students. As a future visual arts educator, I thought it would be informative to view what supplies the teachers are requesting, as well as observing how they go about making their requests. 

1) I was drawn to Mrs. Hurst's grant initially because of the image associated with the link to her grant's page. The image is related to clay, which is what she is requesting in her classroom. The image portrays children holding a clay sculpture of the planet Earth. I thought this was a clever way to represent her project and draw people in to read the information in her request. I appreciated how direct she was about what she was requesting right from the start of her proposal. As a reader, I had a clear expectation of what she wanted to acquire for her students, and why it is important for the students to use these materials to propel their education in three-dimensional visual art. Overall, I thought her presentation was highly compelling. My only critique is that she could be a little more specific on her plans for application. For example, what is the first project they will complete with the clay? How will it advance the students understanding of creating three dimensional forms?

2) Ms. Hagen's grant proposal content was possibly the most intriguing to me as a reader. She is making a request for essential art supplies to start an after school art club in her school, where there are no art classes offered. She makes an excellent case that art and creativity provide students with improved academic performance, cultural awareness, confidence, and inventiveness. I think that her presentation could be improved with a more relevant photo to draw the reader in, and perhaps include something related to the art club start-up in the headline of the request to give the reader a clear expectation of her request from the beginning. 

3) The last grant proposal, by Mrs. Current, is requesting essential art supplies so that students have enough materials to create art without having to share supplies as much as they have been previously. This grant was not as compelling to me as the other two. There were multiple grammatical errors, and the picture and headline could have been presented in a better way to help deliver the content of the grant. I did like how this teacher gave specifics about her plans for her students using these supplies. I think she could have gone into a little more detail about the "why" creativity is crucial. The reader may understand that creativity is an important skill to have, but providing information about how creativity benefits students in specific ways would make the request stronger.


Five tips for a winning Donors Choose grant:

1. The headline and picture are the first thing your viewer is going to see. Make sure that both of these are strong and compelling, and thoroughly relate to your request.
2. Give your reader a clear understanding of what you are requesting early on in your grant. Don't make the reader reach the bottom of the page before realizing what it is that you are requesting.
3. Make your request stronger by providing clear details about the application of the requested materials within your classroom. If you are requesting supplies, let your reader know your plans for the children to utilize the supplies in order to advance their education.
4. Check for grammatical errors. These can be very distracting when reading though a grant. 
5. Have a fellow educator read over the request and see if they have any questions or concerns about the content or presentation. It is good to consider the opinions of peers because they could present a different angle that you may not have considered. 

Donor One: What actually grabbed my attention for this grant was the photo that really corresponded with the title. The grant requestor did a really great job of getting to the point of what was needed out of this grant. It explained what the wireless color printer was going to be used for, and also told how this grant was going to give back to the community.  

Donor Two: The name of this grant is what pulled me into this grant. STEAMing Along on the Titanic made me want to know more about the grant. I believe that this grant requestor did an excellent job at this, however I think that the grant itself was pretty lengthy.  

Donor Three: This grant requestor did a really good job of getting to the point and being short and sweet. I really like how the grant requestor informed the donors what was needed within the grant, how the material was going to be used, and told the donors a little bit about the students.  

Tips:
1: Make sure that you are not too wordy in the grant.
2: Make sure to fully explain the grant, and how it is going to be used.
3: No errors.
4: Professional look.
5: A title to catch the donors attention.