Write, Wipe, Wow! Thinking Big with Wipebook in 5th Grade
Dawn DiMarzio
ID-169
School Name:Laurel Oak Elementary
Grant Request Grade:5
Grant Request Subject:Mathematics
Additional Details
To create an engaging, collaborative Thinking Classroom where all 24 fifth-grade students actively solve problems, communicate their thinking, and learn from one another using reusable Wipebook products. Students will use these tools across all subject areas to build confidence, strengthen critical thinking, and develop a growth mindset while reducing paper waste through sustainable, reusable learning materials
This project will transform our classroom into a Thinking Classroom where students work together to make their thinking visible every day. Wipebook reusable notebooks and writing surfaces will be used during collaborative small-group activities in math, science, reading, writing, and social studies. Students will solve problems, brainstorm ideas, organize their thinking, annotate texts, conduct investigations, and explain their reasoning while receiving immediate feedback from peers and the teacher.
With the Wipebook Scan feature, students can instantly save their work digitally before erasing it, creating a portfolio of their learning throughout the school year. This allows students to reflect on their growth while keeping their reusable workspace ready for the next learning task. Because the products are reusable, they also support environmentally responsible classroom practices by significantly reducing paper consumption and unnecessary waste.
*Increases student engagement through active, collaborative learning.
*Supports the Thinking Classroom model by encouraging students to communicate and defend their thinking.
*Builds confidence by allowing students to take risks, make mistakes, revise their work, and try again without fear of wasting paper.
*Promotes critical thinking, problem-solving, and meaningful classroom discussions across all subject areas.
*Creates digital portfolios through Wipebook Scan so students can save, reflect on, and celebrate their learning.
*Encourages teamwork, communication, and peer learning.
*Reduces paper use and classroom waste by replacing disposable worksheets and chart paper with reusable learning tools.
*Provides a sustainable resource that can be used for many years with future classes.
Funding will be used to purchase Wipebook reusable notebooks and writing surfaces, along with access to the Wipebook Scan feature for my classroom of 24 fifth-grade students. These resources will support daily collaborative learning experiences aligned with the Thinking Classroom approach across all academic subjects.
Unlike traditional paper materials that are used once and discarded, Wipebook products are designed to be reused hundreds of times, making them a cost-effective and environmentally friendly investment. The Scan feature preserves student thinking digitally before work is erased, allowing students to document growth, reflect on their learning, and maintain portfolios without creating additional paper copies.
This funding will provide long-lasting instructional tools that increase student engagement, foster collaboration, support deeper thinking, and continue benefiting students for many years beyond this grant cycle.
