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This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Tyler from Wethersfield, CT is requesting educational kits & games through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Ms. Tyler is requesting

Building Brains: Enhancing Open-Ended Play in Pre-K

Help me give my students an amazing block center. My curious Pre-K students love to explore, imagine, and build. I want to expand this area with new open-ended materials that spark imagination and support early STEM learning.

  • $1,055 goal

This project expired on August 28, 2025.

This project expired on August 28, 2025.

My Project

My energetic and curious Pre-K students love to explore, imagine, and build. One of their favorite areas in our classroom is the block center—a space where creativity comes alive through structures, storytelling, and collaboration. To help their play grow even deeper, I want to expand this area with new open-ended materials that spark imagination and support early STEM learning. My students are 4- and 5-year-olds full of wonder and big ideas. They thrive when they are given the chance to create with their hands and minds. Our classroom is part of a diverse, high-needs school community where many students are learning how to express themselves socially, emotionally, and academically. They benefit immensely from opportunities for hands-on, play-based learning. With your support, I’d love to add a variety of open-ended materials to our block area—items like wooden planks, colored blocks, community buildings, multi-cultural figures, natural materials like tree blocks. These resources will enrich our students’ building play and help them develop important skills in engineering, spatial awareness, problem-solving, and cooperation. These tools also support language development as children narrate their creations and engage in pretend play.

Open-ended play builds brains—and hearts.

When students are given the right tools and space, they learn how to collaborate, take risks, and see themselves as capable thinkers and creators.

Ms. Tyler Discovery Academy Grades PreK-2

Equity Focus

This project directly supports students at a historically underfunded school. Learn more about our Equity Focus.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Wethersfield, CT View local requests

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

20 students impacted

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Expand the "Where your donation goes" section below to see exactly what Ms. Tyler is requesting.

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TEACHERS, FEELING INSPIRED?

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Lakeshore Block Play Simple Machines - Complete Set • Lakeshore Learning Materials $149.00 1 $149.00
Lakeshore Hardwood Blocks Storage Cabinet • Lakeshore Learning Materials $129.99 1 $129.99
Lakeshore Dishwasher-Safe Baskets - Set of 9 • Lakeshore Learning Materials $129.00 1 $129.00
Lakeshore Castle Blocks • Lakeshore Learning Materials $89.99 1 $89.99
Kaplan Early Learning Community Block Set - 20 Pieces, Wooden Town Building Blocks for Dramatic Play and Storytelling, Includes School, Hospital, Bakery, Vehicles, and More for Toddlers, Ages 2+ • Kaplan Early Learning Company $71.96 1 $71.96
Lakeshore Plastic Book Baskets - Set of 3 • Lakeshore Learning Materials $49.99 1 $49.99
Guidecraft Wooden Magnification Stacking Blocks - 6 Pieces • Kaplan Early Learning Company $46.76 1 $46.76
Lakeshore Window Blocks • Lakeshore Learning Materials $39.99 1 $39.99
Kaplan Early Learning Friends Around the World Wooden Figures Set - 20-Piece Multicultural Diverse People Playset for Dramatic Play, Block Play, and Storytelling, Toddlers, Ages 2+ • Kaplan Early Learning Company $35.96 1 $35.96
Lakeshore Dishwasher-Safe Round Natural Baskets - Set of 5 • Lakeshore Learning Materials $29.99 1 $29.99
Lakeshore Plastic Book Basket • Lakeshore Learning Materials $24.99 1 $24.99
Learning Resources Stacking Alphabet Letter Blocks • Kaplan Early Learning Company $24.26 1 $24.26

Materials cost

$821.88

Vendor shipping charges

 $32.15

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$12.33

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$896.36

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$158.18

Total project goal

$1,054.54

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. Tyler and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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