I chose to review :
1. Have a Seat... Getting Cozy in 2nd Grade!
2. Let's Catch "Catch-22"!
3. Wiggle While We Work! 2.0
1. My initial reasoning for choosing this was its title being cute, and more importantly the cover picture of a beaming students smile with a pencil in their hand. That Is obviously her student being really happy in her classroom, and as a person on donors choose I aim to help out the kids so that’s a big deal. Also it doesn’t show the face of the student other than the smile so it should be fine legally. Her “My students” section would be improved by talking more about the kids and removing the sentence about her. It felt a little bit like she was using that sentence like a filler to write more. Her explanation of why she wanted more things was also a good one, explaining how the seats would help her and why they are necessary. However, at the end I saw a lot of “I want” and “I’m excited” which seemed a little self-centered. I wanted her to focus more on the kids. I liked the variety of chairs she requested as well, since it was a diverse option for her students. As someone with ADHD I wish I would have had seating like those.
2. This one drew my eye more so because of the title, it was short and specific and descriptive. Some of the other donors choose had issues with a generic sounding title, even if they were cute it wasn’t distinguishable because it seemed like it could apply to any classroom, and in fact I saw lots of similar titles. This one I knew what it was about without even having to read. His description was both short and emotionally evocative. I felt like it was really well written and compelling because I felt like she really cares for her students. She also was asking for one specific thing with one specific use that was well thought out so I didn’t feel like she was being “greedy” or anything. I didn’t even read the book myself but the fact that she wrote it well made me trust her choice as a teacher. The one thing is I would ask for a more high quality picture, maybe put a filter on it so it pops. It’s an acceptable picture but not stand out.
3. This is what I would consider a perfect Donors Choose application. She is asking for more Hokki stools for her class. The title is very cute and original, it doesn’t seem like they just picked something to copy. The picture also is great, it looks like she has used her students, which I really like, but it is a cute and original picture not just a spur of the moment class snap. I like the diversity and cooperation it shows with her students and it makes me feel positive about her classroom. You can also see the filter she has applied to make it look nicer than just a camera photo. The description focused on her students and was really clear but also descriptive in an emotional way. She talked about research proof for why she needed this for third graders, and that all third graders would benefit. Her use of general in parts of her description removed some of the “I want” for me feeling I got from a few others.My five recommendations
1. Have a good title. It has to be a balance of catchy fun and original, and descriptive. I want to know what you’re asking for and have it be creative if it will catch my eye.
2. Have a good picture. Like above, this is the first thing I see. It has to be legal but personalized to what you want or your classroom. I appreciate people that have obviously put care into picking the photo and a filter even if it is with a poor camera.
3. Write clearly and well. This means good grammar and try to write like you’re educated. Especially when I’m not familiar with the product they are asking for I read the writing to give me trust in the teacher and their decision.
4. Make it about the products usefulness, providing evidence to why this is a good product for technology and non standard requests like in research. I like hearing about the problem and why this item is a solution.
5. Make it about caring about the kids. Some teachers seem like they are asking for something to make their lives easier when they talk about themselves and what they want, even if it's what they want for their kids. This just doesn’t sit well. So too does the donors choose bios that seem quickly written. I want to know you care enough to put effort into something if I am going to give money to it.
1. Have a Seat... Getting Cozy in 2nd Grade!
2. Let's Catch "Catch-22"!
3. Wiggle While We Work! 2.0
1. My initial reasoning for choosing this was its title being cute, and more importantly the cover picture of a beaming students smile with a pencil in their hand. That Is obviously her student being really happy in her classroom, and as a person on donors choose I aim to help out the kids so that’s a big deal. Also it doesn’t show the face of the student other than the smile so it should be fine legally. Her “My students” section would be improved by talking more about the kids and removing the sentence about her. It felt a little bit like she was using that sentence like a filler to write more. Her explanation of why she wanted more things was also a good one, explaining how the seats would help her and why they are necessary. However, at the end I saw a lot of “I want” and “I’m excited” which seemed a little self-centered. I wanted her to focus more on the kids. I liked the variety of chairs she requested as well, since it was a diverse option for her students. As someone with ADHD I wish I would have had seating like those.
2. This one drew my eye more so because of the title, it was short and specific and descriptive. Some of the other donors choose had issues with a generic sounding title, even if they were cute it wasn’t distinguishable because it seemed like it could apply to any classroom, and in fact I saw lots of similar titles. This one I knew what it was about without even having to read. His description was both short and emotionally evocative. I felt like it was really well written and compelling because I felt like she really cares for her students. She also was asking for one specific thing with one specific use that was well thought out so I didn’t feel like she was being “greedy” or anything. I didn’t even read the book myself but the fact that she wrote it well made me trust her choice as a teacher. The one thing is I would ask for a more high quality picture, maybe put a filter on it so it pops. It’s an acceptable picture but not stand out.
3. This is what I would consider a perfect Donors Choose application. She is asking for more Hokki stools for her class. The title is very cute and original, it doesn’t seem like they just picked something to copy. The picture also is great, it looks like she has used her students, which I really like, but it is a cute and original picture not just a spur of the moment class snap. I like the diversity and cooperation it shows with her students and it makes me feel positive about her classroom. You can also see the filter she has applied to make it look nicer than just a camera photo. The description focused on her students and was really clear but also descriptive in an emotional way. She talked about research proof for why she needed this for third graders, and that all third graders would benefit. Her use of general in parts of her description removed some of the “I want” for me feeling I got from a few others.My five recommendations
1. Have a good title. It has to be a balance of catchy fun and original, and descriptive. I want to know what you’re asking for and have it be creative if it will catch my eye.
2. Have a good picture. Like above, this is the first thing I see. It has to be legal but personalized to what you want or your classroom. I appreciate people that have obviously put care into picking the photo and a filter even if it is with a poor camera.
3. Write clearly and well. This means good grammar and try to write like you’re educated. Especially when I’m not familiar with the product they are asking for I read the writing to give me trust in the teacher and their decision.
4. Make it about the products usefulness, providing evidence to why this is a good product for technology and non standard requests like in research. I like hearing about the problem and why this item is a solution.
5. Make it about caring about the kids. Some teachers seem like they are asking for something to make their lives easier when they talk about themselves and what they want, even if it's what they want for their kids. This just doesn’t sit well. So too does the donors choose bios that seem quickly written. I want to know you care enough to put effort into something if I am going to give money to it.