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This teacher needs your help!

Mrs. Novak from Des Moines, IA is requesting supplies through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Mrs. Novak is requesting
Fully Funded

Mrs. Novak's classroom raised $511

Yes, Even These Kids can Learn to Read and Write!

My students need word wands, Alphabet Stampers, Jumbo Alphabet Letters, a magnetic board, magnetic word builders, sight word magnets, and books that provide them with sensory input.

Classroom photo
Mrs. Novak Smouse Opportunity School
Des Moines, IA Grades PreK-2

I work in a special school for students with communication disorders like Autism and mental disabilities. The students in our classrooms display challenging behaviors that makes it difficult to teach them to read and write in a traditional setting. Additionally, our city is a high-needs community with very few parents able to provide these students opportunities for reading and writing at home.

Many people think that children with significant disabilities can't learn to read and write. I believe that they can, given access to the right types of materials. Through a literacy project with a University, I am receiving training on how children with significant disabilities learn to read, write, and communicate. Through quality instruction and hands-on materials this can happen! However, in the current budget situation, our school is on a spending freeze and cannot provide the students with the appropriate materials they need to learn.

Lakeshore has perfect materials that will give students access to print, writing, and communication. The hands-on materials I have requested allow students to learn about reading, writing, and communicating in the best way possible-by doing it!

Some of the children in our school have not had high expectations in the past; people have not thought that they deserved the chance to learn to read and write. If we can provide students with appropriate vehicles to develop these skills, I believe we will find that students with significant disabilities not only can learn to read and write, but they can enjoy coming to school and doing these things!

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

More than three‑quarters of students from low‑income households

16 students impacted 29 donors
Mrs. Novak Smouse Opportunity School Grades PreK-2

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Des Moines, IA View local requests

More than three‑quarters 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

16 students impacted 29donors

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
TS428 - Touch & Feel Discovery Books • Lakeshore Learning $39.95 1 $39.95
EE614 - Word Wands • Lakeshore Learning $24.95 1 $24.95
LM604 - Alphabet Giant Stampers - Lowercase • Lakeshore Learning $29.95 1 $29.95
LM594 - Alphabet Giant Stampers - Uppercase • Lakeshore Learning $29.95 1 $29.95
GG136 - Magnetic Word Builders • Lakeshore Learning $29.95 1 $29.95
GG136 - Magnetic Word Builders • Lakeshore Learning $29.95 1 $29.95
DD752 - Sight-Word Center - Level 2 • Lakeshore Learning $24.95 1 $24.95
DD751 - Sight-Word Center - Level 1 • Lakeshore Learning $24.95 1 $24.95
RR932 - Jumbo 5" Magnetic Letters - Uppercase • Lakeshore Learning $29.95 1 $29.95
PH345 - Magnetic Write & Wipe Board - 18" x 24" • Lakeshore Learning $39.95 1 $39.95
GG310X - Sight-Word Magnets - Complete Set • Lakeshore Learning $79.95 1 $79.95

Materials cost

$384.45

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $19.22

3rd party payment processing fee

$5.77

Fulfillment labor & materials

$9.00

Total project cost

$418.44

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$91.85

Total project goal

$510.29

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $510.29

23 Donors

-$504.84

Donations toward project cost

-$418.44

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$86.40

Excluded support for DonorsChoose

-$5.45

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

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

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Project Activity

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DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

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 Mrs. Novak and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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