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This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Knight from Plainwell, MI is requesting supplies through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

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Fully Funded

Ms. Knight's classroom raised $161

ReWiring the Brain- Feeling Sounds in Your Mouth

My students need 72 shatterproof mirrors.

Classroom photo
Ms. Knight Starr Elementary School
Plainwell, MI Grades PreK-2

Have you ever heard of "lip stoppers," "skinny hissies," or "tongue biters?" Well, my first graders have!!! I am a first grade teacher in Michigan. Our school has an ever-changing population. This year our free and reduced lunch need has reached 45% for the first time ever. I have had the opportunity to attend a reading workshop about neuroscience and neuroplasticity. It refers to the ability of neurons in the brain to forge new connections and blaze new pathways through the cortex. In short, neuroplasticity means “the re-wiring of the brain.”

I am teaching this new reading program called, "ReWiring the Brain" to my first graders. This new approach to teaching reading involves FEELING the sounds in your mouth. It is a research based program rooted in the study of nueroplasciticy and how the brain works. Instead of introducing letters and sounds to my students, I introduce mouth positions and have my students figure out which sounds are made in each mouth position. For example, the "tongue biter" sound is the /th/ sound! Due to the fact that I am piloting this program in my building, I do not have the proper supplies and there is not funding for me to purchase the items I need. This technique can be very challenging to do without student access to mirrors in the classroom!

Although there are a number of supplies that I could use for this new approach to reading, the mirrors are the most pressing need that I have now! Currently, we are passing the few mirrors that we have in our room around and attempting to share them. The mirrors we currently have are not shatterproof and do not have high level of safety standards that the mirrors I am requesting have! I am VERY confident in this new approach to reading. I have seen the success of this program at a neighboring school and am amazed at the new level of knowledge the children take with them. These mirrors will be the first step in allowing my class to literally see how sounds are made in their mouths, making this learning much more relevant for the children.

Your help will the purchase of these mirrors will ensure that my students get the very best foundation for reading skills that will help them later in their educational journey. I am so excited about this new and unique way of presenting knowledge to my students!

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

More than half of students from low‑income households

25 students impacted 7 donors
Ms. Knight Starr Elementary School Grades PreK-2

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Plainwell, MI View local requests

More than half 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

25 students impacted 7donors

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
LA567 - Shatterproof Safety Mirrors - Set of 36 • Lakeshore Learning $54.95 2 $109.90

Materials cost

$109.90

Vendor shipping charges

 $10.99

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$1.65

Fulfillment labor & materials

$9.00

Total project cost

$132.00

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$28.98

Total project goal

$160.98

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $160.98

6 Donors

-$160.98

Donations toward project cost

-$132.00

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$28.98

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

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

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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Knight and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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