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This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Mitchell from Phoenix, AZ is requesting educational kits & games through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Ms. Mitchell is requesting

Building Our Independence One Button and Shoelace at a Time!

Help me give my students materials that allow them to practice important life skills, such as the Freebear Busy Board

  • $1,085 goal

This project expired on June 25, 2025.

This project expired on June 25, 2025.

My Project

Young children benefit so much from hands-on learning. The possibilities are endless and I would love to provide more learning opportunities for my students to become more independent!

Though it may be more difficult to complete simple everyday life skills for the students in our Special Needs Preschool, we encourage them to give their best effort in order to become as independent as possible.

With the inclusion of busy boards that allow them to practice simple everyday tasks, such as fastening buttons, tie shoelaces, pulling a zipper up and down, this will build upon their fine motor skills that will transfer over to everyday life.

By incorporating fidgets, weighted items, and emotion games/activities, this will help my students understand their feelings and how to self-regulate when they feel upset, overwhelmed, angry, etc.

Ms. Mitchell Chaparral Elementary School 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.

Phoenix, AZ 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

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
SPARK & WOW Caterpillar Activity Wall Panels - Ages 18m+ - Montessori Sensory Wall Toy - 8 Activities - Busy Board - Toddler Room Decor • Amazon Business $160.06 1 $160.06
Sensory-N-Stuff - Rainbow Rice Sensory Bin Filler, Sensory Table Filler for Developing Fine Motor Skills, All-Natural & Chemical-Free Colored Rice, 4 Cups of Reusable Sensory Rice • Amazon Business $21.99 3 $65.97
Lakeshore Trace & Write Number Center • Lakeshore Learning Materials $29.99 2 $59.98
9 Labeled Sensory Mats w/Lesson Plans, Sensory Toys for Kids with Autism, Sensory Wall & Autism Toys for Toddlers 3-4, Calming Corner Items Kids 5-7, 8-12, Special Education Classroom Must Haves • Amazon Business $47.97 1 $47.97
Solobo Toys: EMOTIONS COIN DROP (calming corner resources; social emotional learning toy; sensory play) • DonorsChoose Featured Favorites $40.00 1 $40.00
USATDD Magnetic Letters Practicing Board,Tracing ABC Alphabet Magnet Drawing Board Educational Preschool Practice Learning to Write Toys Montessori Uppercase&Lowercase Gift for Kids Toddlers • Amazon Business $18.99 2 $37.98
Parkside Wind Sensory Tent for Autistic Children, Pop-up Blackout Calming Play Tent，Sensory Tent for Children with Autism and Anxiety to Provide Security, with Breathable Mesh Windows • Amazon Business $35.66 1 $35.66
Espamig Busy Board Toddler Montessori Toys Led Light Switch Busy Board Autism Sensory Toys for Busy Toddlers Sensory Wall Panel Fidget Board Wooden Toys for Toddlers 1-3 (LED Busy Board) • Amazon Business $27.99 1 $27.99
PINMINGS Soft Weighted Stuffed Animals Weighted Plushies Animals for Adults, Soft Lovely Weighted Animals for Adult and Kids • Amazon Business $25.99 1 $25.99
Sensory Mats for Autistic Children | Sensory Tiles for Wall | Sensory Mats | Sensory Rug | Sensory Wall Panel | Wall Sensory Panel for Kids | Different Sensory Textures & Colors • Amazon Business $24.95 1 $24.95
PINMINGS Soft Weighted Stuffed Animals Weighted Plushies Animals for Adults, Soft Lovely Weighted Animals for Adult and Kids - 30IN - 3.2LB • Amazon Business $22.99 1 $22.99
Freebear Busy Board Toddler Travel Toys Sensory Toys for Toddlers 1 2 3 4, Montessori Learning Toys for Toddlers Activities Board, Educational Toys for 3 4 Year Old Boys Girls Gift, Classic • Amazon Business $22.86 1 $22.86
Melissa & Doug Wooden Latches Board Sensory Activity Toy For Kids, Doors And Locks Toy, Wooden Busy Board, Toddler Toys For Ages 3+ • Amazon Business $20.99 1 $20.99
DEMAM Preschool Montessori Toddler Busy Board for 3-6 Year Old,Preschool Learning Activities Toys, Sensory Board for Fine Basic Dress Motor Skills,Autism Basic Life Skills&Travel Toys Old Boys/Girls • Amazon Business $19.99 1 $19.99
Montessori Busy Board for Toddlers, Wooden Sensory Toys, Preschool Learning Activities for Fine Motor Skills Travel Toy, Basic Life Skills Educational Gifts for 1 2 3 Years Old Kids Boys Girls • Amazon Business $19.99 1 $19.99
Sensory Sand Play Sand for Kids with Sea Molds 4 Pound Bulk Multicolor Sand for Boys and Girls • Amazon Business $19.95 1 $19.95
Winique Magnetic Color and Number Maze - Montessori Toys for 3 Years Old Boys Girls Wooden Magnet Board Puzzles, Fine Motor Skills Learning Toys Toddler Activities Counting Matching Games • Amazon Business $16.99 1 $16.99
meowtastic Hippo Weighted Stuffed Animals - 12 Inch 1.0 Pounds Weighted Plush Hippo Stuffed Animals - Small Stuffed Hippo Weighted Plush Pillow - Cute Plush Toys Gifts for Kids & Adults (12" 1.0 lbs) • Amazon Business $16.99 1 $16.99
TenFans Wooden Montessori Busy Board with LED Light Switch and Screwdriver Tools - Sensory Toy for Toddlers 1+ Year Old Boys - Travel Activity and Educational Learning Toy Improves Fine Motor Skills • Amazon Business $16.96 1 $16.96
Montessori Toys for 1 2 3 Year Old, Montessori Screwdriver Board, Kids Wooden Toys, Fine Motor Skills Toys, Sensory Preschool Learning Toys for Toddler Travel • Amazon Business $16.64 1 $16.64
Boczif Emotions Feeling Pocket Chart, Express Your Feelings Classroom Chart with 24 Cards for Preschool Teacher, Daycare Decor, Social Emotional Learning Activities, Calm Down Corner Supplies (Purple) • Amazon Business $15.99 1 $15.99
Lakeshore Feelings & Emotions Dough Mats • Lakeshore Learning Materials $15.99 1 $15.99
AiTuiTui Montessori Baby Toys for 1 Year Old Boy Girl Gifts, Shape Sorter Baby Toys 6 12 18 Months Early Learning Sensory Bin with 3 Soft Textured Balls, Toddlers Toy for Age 1 2 3 Autistic Children • Amazon Business $15.99 1 $15.99
Umriox Zipper Mesh Document Pouch, 14.9x11.0 (6 Colors, 18 Packs), Clear Zipper Pouches, Waterproof Zipper Pouches for Craft Projects Office Supplies Cosmetics Travel Storage • Amazon Business $15.95 1 $15.95
hand2mind Mindful Maze Garden Pack, Tactile Sensory Toys, Anxiety Relief Items, Occupational Therapy Toys, Calm Down Corner Supplies, Calming Corner Classroom, Social Emotional Learning Activities • Amazon Business $11.49 1 $11.49
hand2mind Ten Frame Sensory Bubble Poppers, Pop Fidget Toys for Kids, Math Manipulatives Kindergarten, Counting Toys, Fine Motor Toys, Fidgets for Classroom, Calm Down Corner Supplies (Set of 6) • Amazon Business $5.49 2 $10.98
Squishy Sensory Toys for Kids: Calm Down Sensory Toys for Autistic Children Toddlers Special Needs, Squeeze Stretch Anxiety Relief Autism Toys, Sensory Shapes Learning Toys Classroom Must Haves • Amazon Business $9.99 1 $9.99

Materials cost

$817.28

Vendor shipping charges

 $3.80

Sales tax

 $58.44

3rd party payment processing fee

$12.26

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$921.78

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$162.67

Total project goal

$1,084.45

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. Mitchell and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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