Donate Your Space-Consuming Modern Cards to an Elementary School

[npa589]

Now, my guess is that he won't want me to post this --- but I just want people to be aware of a relatively new member who gave privately.

KCRfan1 sent a great group of cards, including a '52 Topps Card and a signed Andruw Jones card.

I'm a music teacher, and am consequentially rather creative --- so I can hype up just about anything. Remember those 25 cent stars (The blue, green, silver, gold, and red ones)? My first year of teaching, I didn't want to waste anything --- so after using all the stars on a certain sheet, i'd tear up the remaining outlining-stickers and tell the students they were sticker rings, and sticker bracelets. Again, this area is impoverished, so this was gold. They'd wear them proudly for 3 days sometimes. About the cards given by Lou, there are certain kids who have shown marked improvement over this year and past years, and have literally changed their futures, and I will absolutely make sure that these cards are described as though they are gold, and they will know exactly why they have earned these amazing cards over the course of a few years. I won't describe them as gold because of any type of monetary worth, but in what they represent. The kids will know that someone in a completely different state SENT these across the country because they care about their future. I'm sure that it will stay with them just like any certificate of achievement, or 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or 5th place ribbon does as well.


KCRfan1/Lou S.: If I had an emoticon that applauded, it would go here. Thank you sir.


Many more thanks to come. The great thing is that most of you couldn't care less about being publicly thanked --- which in and of itself is awesome, and is why I want to publicly thank you!

[Zach Wheat]

Wow, interesting idea. Emil sent.

[EvilKing00]

nice job KCRfan1!

[larrie804]

My wife taught elrmrntary school children for 40 years! K-5 teachers have what they call "treasure boxes" for the children when they finish a project, etc. I have been putting my $1.00 and under cards in team bags----25 cards a bag with at least 4 or 5 star cards in each and giving these team bags to the teachers at two schools for the past five years. I am told the cards are among the most popular treasures!

[npa589]

Originally Posted by larrie804

My wife taught elrmrntary school children for 40 years! K-5 teachers have what they call "treasure boxes" for the children when they finish a project, etc. I have been putting my $1.00 and under cards in team bags----25 cards a bag with at least 4 or 5 star cards in each and giving these team bags to the teachers at two schools for the past five years. I am told the cards are among the most popular treasures!

Couldn't be more accurate. Thanks for sharing that with us Larrie. I'm sure the teachers have told you that it really does make a difference. Many kids need a lot to be motivated to learn. Though i teach music, I integrate mathematics into reading music quite a bit. 1. I love math, 2. Math and music are very similar. Anyway, I've had kids tabulate the statistics on the back of cards, and they love it. I remember doing that as a kid, just for fun... Anyone else with me on that?

I've given many to individual teachers at my school, and the goal is to be able to include it within the School-wide Behavior/Incentive plan that we come up with at the beginning of each school year.

I just was told by MWheat that he is sending some unopened packs.

You guys are awesome!

[npa589]

This won't come as a surprise to anyone, but there are some philanthropists on Net54. Some all around good guys who are donating to kids that they've never met, and in all likelihood will never meet.

Mi.ke Wr.enn & Mi.ke Whe.at: Teachers now know about your boxes, because they saw them in the mailing room, and were wondering what they were for. When I explained briefly the request I made on a forum, and the responses I received, jaws dropped --- because, as everyone knows, it's not cheap to ship large packages, yet they sent without a question. They were amazed that people were willing to donate and send cards to students they never met.

I already have a student eyeing the Andruw Jones signed SP Authentic card (Lou. S/kcrfan) for good behavior the rest of the year. I believe he has 11 or 12 brothers and sisters, and lack of attention is probably what has been the impetus for some serious behavioral issues. He says his dad is a Braves fan and that they are displaying the cards on his dresser. I asked his homeroom teacher how he's been and she darted her eyes at me saying "He has been exceptionally happy the last few days". MWrenn(brookdodger) sent an incredible amount of ridiculously appealing cards to the kids, and they basically Ooo and Aah while I'm showing/speaking about them these last couple weeks of school. For that particular student, he has already received a few Chrome Yankees cards and Braves cards (Jermaine Dye RC).

MWheat sent who knows how many cards, and some unopened packs. I just picked them up this morning, so the students haven't seen them yet, but the stunned looks on their faces will be priceless, and then they'll look up at me with eyes that communicate "What do I have to do to earn those."

Periodically yesterday, through each class, I'd ask "And how do you get a card from Mr. Adams?" Whoever said "You have to earn it" would get 2 cards from MWrenn's stash.

At the beginning of next year, I'm going to set up a really nice Card Station with some creative names using the last name of the generous donaters. You may all become Dr.'s by the beginning of next year! I'll post a picture when I do.

Again, thank you all, this is awesome...


1st pic: MWrenn's donation in mailing room, unopened.
2nd pic: MWheat's donation that was received this morning
3rd pic: MWrenn's donation that is being displayed on a table in my room.

[peterose4hof]

Awesome work everyone!

Nate, I probably won't have time to get together a package for a few weeks still. Is there a set timetable on this or will it be a continual program?

Also, if any other teachers would like to start a similar program please come forward as I am sure there is plenty to go around.

[bwbc917]

I'm retired teacher and my wife is still teaching 4th grade. We do a baseball unit in the spring and the girls get as excited as the boys. Even had one girl look up a player with her same last name. She went home with the Giants Chris Heston rookie card.

Great idea for motivation, it's great the kids buy into it. The baseball cards themselves show diversity in geography and race and can be used for math.
Heck, who needs books, let's use baseball cards. Those 1960 Topps and their Heritage counterpart even have some good reading on the back.

[npa589]

I'm not sure if I mentioned this in my original post, but I also started utilizing this to stop bullying. Already in my class, students know that it isn't accepted at all, not even the slightest comment. Whenever a student says anything negative or discouraging towards a student or about a student, I will allow the targeted student to choose any card. If the bully says "I don't care", the other student gets another one. If they continue to say anything at all, the student gets a card every time the other student says something about them. Any student that politely stands up for another student will also receive a card. This has probably happened 20-25 times in 3 years, and usually it is the bully only saying "I don't care, give him/her a card." - and they will repeat it multiple times to try and prove that they don't care. Even if they shrug their shoulders, the targeted student gets another card. Every single time this has happened, it always has resulted in the bully completely stopping making fun of the person or even saying that they don't care, and every other student making sure it is known they are on the team of the targeted student. I've also done the same thing for students in other classes or elsewhere on campus who decided not to engage in a fight with another student.

Keep any other ideas you have coming as well, I know there are a lot of teachers and teacher's spouses on here.

[sam majors]

I'd be glad to help out! Send me an address to where I can ship them. Sam Majors