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.
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.