You're on track to get doubled donations (and unlock a reward for the colleague who referred you). Keep up the great work!
Take credit for your charitable giving! Check out your tax receipts
Donate
To use your $50 gift card credits, find a project to fund and we'll automatically apply your credits at checkout. Find a classroom project
Menu
Skip to main content

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season!
Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.

Your school email address was successfully verified.

Edit classroom photo

Mrs. VanRiper’s Classroom Edit display name

Support her classroom with a gift that fosters learning.

  • Monthly
  • One-time

We'll charge your card today and send Mrs. VanRiper a DonorsChoose gift card she can use on her classroom projects. Starting next month, we'll charge your card and send her a DonorsChoose gift card on the 17th of every month.

Edit or cancel anytime.

cancel

Support Mrs. VanRiper's classroom with a gift that fosters learning.

  • Monthly
  • One-time

We'll charge your card today and send Mrs. VanRiper a DonorsChoose gift card she can use on her classroom projects. Starting next month, we'll charge your card and send her a DonorsChoose gift card on the 17th of every month.

Edit or cancel anytime.

Make a donation Mrs. VanRiper can use on her next classroom project.

https://www.donorschoose.org/classroom/4970926 Customize URL

View your stats
Track donations »
Edit
My high school students are used to desks in their classrooms- desks that make it difficult to relax into whatever we are learning. I am asking them to do complex critical literacy projects that require intense focus, thoughtfulness, and collaboration. It is difficult to get this from them when our classroom set-up limits the type of work that we can do in class. Collaboration is tough when there is no smooth work surface for all four group members to write on. Reading or writing for long periods of time is challenging when students can't find a comfortable position in the rigid desks. Ultimately, learning is weakened by an inflexible learning environment that does not adjust to meet my students' needs. Flexible seating would create a space that feels more welcoming and comfortable for my students-- connecting them to their learning environment in a way that traditional school furniture does not. When I ask my students what changes they would like to see in the classroom, they ask for flexible, comfortable furniture that makes it easier to work together. I have one couch and two office chairs currently in my room. These are the seats that students flock to. I would love to get rid of some of these desks and add another futon, some fitness balls for my energetic students who need an outlet for all that energy, and some beanbag chairs that students can sink into when they're reading a good book.

About my class

My high school students are used to desks in their classrooms- desks that make it difficult to relax into whatever we are learning. I am asking them to do complex critical literacy projects that require intense focus, thoughtfulness, and collaboration. It is difficult to get this from them when our classroom set-up limits the type of work that we can do in class. Collaboration is tough when there is no smooth work surface for all four group members to write on. Reading or writing for long periods of time is challenging when students can't find a comfortable position in the rigid desks. Ultimately, learning is weakened by an inflexible learning environment that does not adjust to meet my students' needs. Flexible seating would create a space that feels more welcoming and comfortable for my students-- connecting them to their learning environment in a way that traditional school furniture does not. When I ask my students what changes they would like to see in the classroom, they ask for flexible, comfortable furniture that makes it easier to work together. I have one couch and two office chairs currently in my room. These are the seats that students flock to. I would love to get rid of some of these desks and add another futon, some fitness balls for my energetic students who need an outlet for all that energy, and some beanbag chairs that students can sink into when they're reading a good book.

Read more

About my class

Read more
{"followTeacherId":4970926,"teacherId":4970926,"teacherName":"Mrs. VanRiper","teacherProfilePhotoURL":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4970926_orig.jpg?crop=1076,1076,x0,y35&width=136&height=136&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1700504436841","teacherHasProfilePhoto":true,"vanityURL":"","teacherChallengeId":21040191,"followAbout":"Mrs. VanRiper's projects","teacherVerify":271272434,"teacherNameEncoded":"Mrs. VanRiper","vanityType":"teacher","teacherPageInfo":{"teacherHasClassroomPhoto":true,"teacherHasClassroomDescription":true,"teacherClassroomDescription":"","teacherProfileURL":"https://www.donorschoose.org/classroom/4970926","tafURL":"https://secure.donorschoose.org/donors/share_teacher_profile.html?teacher=4970926","stats":{"numActiveProjects":0,"numFundedProjects":3,"numSupporters":16},"classroomPhotoPendingScreening":false,"showEssentialsListCard":false}}
Supporting teachers and students since 2000

DonorsChoose makes it easy for anyone to help a classroom in need. Public school teachers from every corner of America create classroom project requests, and you can give any amount to the project that inspires you.

We've earned the highest possible ratings from Better Business Bureau, Charity Watch, Charity Navigator, and Guidestar.