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This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Almy from Portland, ME is requesting supplies through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Ms. Almy is requesting

Take a Bite Out of Math

My project needs cooking tools in order to create a restaurant as well as clay materials to make recyclable bowls.

  • $681 goal

This project expired on July 15, 2008.

This project expired on July 15, 2008.

Ms. Almy Lyseth Elementary School
Portland, ME Grades PreK-2

My two colleagues and I teach 2nd grade in an elementary school of about 600 students. We are the largest elementary school in the city servicing a increasingly diversified population. As 2nd grade teachers, we individually teach all the content areas to our assigned class of approximately 20 children each, some with special needs and English language learners.

Each year we involve out students in a restaurant project. The purpose of this project has always been to help children see, first hand, how much math connects to the real world and to get a chance to work collaboratively with some of the other students developing the theme, planning the menu, the budget, marketing, shopping, cooking, decorating (with the help of our art teacher) hosting, serving, cashiering and ultimately, entertaining. The restaurant usually serves around 200 family members. In the past the restaurant focused on different themes. Last year we created Math-A-Day Cave and played math games after eating. Other years we have focused more on nutrition education some years we celebrated our writing and created a Poetry Cave. This is truly a hands-on learning experience that integrates many aspect of our curriculum together in a fun and exciting way. The only difficult part of the restaurant project is that we struggle every year to find funding for such a great project with a proven track record of success. Like most public schools, we are experiencing the tightening of our budget, so we have fewer resources for educational materials.

To make our restaurant a reality, we try hard to transform our plain school gym into a festive atmosphere. The children work hard to make theme based wall decorations and table centerpieces. This year we are focusing on environmental issues and to reduce waste by having the children make their own ceramic bowls to use at the restaurant and then take home as a keepsake of their experience. The students also shop and prepare all the food that will be served at the restaurant. We always need and use cooking utensils, measuring cups, bowls, pans and storage materials when we create the foods we serve. In the past, we have had to beg and borrow from parents. It would beneficial to have our own supplies so that we can use throughout the school year and for future years to come.

Most experienced educators understand that the best way to motivate students, keeping them engaged and excited about their learning, is to include as many real work experiences as possible. Children love learning when it seems authentic and meaningful. They learn the most when they can make connections to their own lives. With this in mind, two of my colleagues and myself have come together each year for the past eight years to create a "restaurant" with our students. We know how much fun the children have learning new things and working together to create a delicious and exciting evening for their families. Funding this project is an opportunity to not only provide a huge learning experience for our classes of second graders, but many of the materials will continue to ensure the continued success of the restaurant project for the future second graders.

More than a third of students from low‑income households

Never Before Funded 60 students impacted
Ms. Almy Lyseth Elementary School Grades PreK-2 Portland, ME View local requests

More than a third of students from low‑income households Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more

Never Before Funded 60 students impacted

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Ekco® Baker's Secret® Nonstick Bakeware, Oblong Cake Pan • Sax Family & Consumer Science, Inc. $5.59 2 $11.18
WearEver® Get-A-Grip™ Bakeware, Large Loaf Pan • Sax Family & Consumer Science, Inc. $4.09 2 $8.18
WearEver® Get-A-Grip™ Bakeware, Large Cookie Sheet • Sax Family & Consumer Science, Inc. $6.59 2 $13.18
3-in-1 Mixing Bowl Set • Sax Family & Consumer Science, Inc. $10.19 1 $10.19
Cash Register • ABC School Supply, Inc. $32.95 2 $65.90
Super Classroom Cooking Set • ABC School Supply, Inc. $139.99 1 $139.99
Item Shipping/Handling Charges • Blick Art Materials $67.95 1 $67.95
A R T MOIST CLAY, TERRA COTTA II 50LB • Blick Art Materials $15.29 4 $61.16
LAGUNA EM GLAZE, TURQ PINT • Blick Art Materials $6.79 1 $6.79
LAGUNA EM GLAZE, MARIGOLD YLW PINT • Blick Art Materials $6.37 1 $6.37
LAGUNA EM GLAZE, PATENT BLK PINT • Blick Art Materials $8.49 1 $8.49
Teflon-Coated 13" Oven Mitt • Sax Family & Consumer Science, Inc. $2.95 2 $5.90
WearEver® Get-A-Grip™ Bakeware, 12-Cup Muffin Pan • Sax Family & Consumer Science, Inc. $7.59 1 $7.59
Iris 44-Quart Plastic Storage Box, Clear With Transparent Blueberry Lid • Office Depot Inc. $11.39 3 $34.17
Wooden Spoons • Sax Family & Consumer Science, Inc. $2.99 1 $2.99
Joy of Cooking™ Balloon Whisk • Sax Family & Consumer Science, Inc. $4.99 1 $4.99
LAGUNA EM GLAZE, WHT ALBSTR PINT • Blick Art Materials $5.09 1 $5.09

Materials cost

$460.11

Vendor shipping charges

 $46.01

Sales tax

 $23.01

3rd party payment processing fee

$11.50

Fulfillment labor & materials

$17.00

Total project cost

$558.00

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$122.49

Total project goal

$680.49

Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.

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