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This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Rafael from South Gate, CA is requesting educational kits & games through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Ms. Rafael is requesting

Calming Area

Help me give my students the materials needed to create a place where they can learn how to self-regulate

FULLY FUNDED! Ms. Rafael's classroom raised $961

This project is fully funded

Celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month

Celebrate Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month

This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.

My Project

A calming area will create a safe space with bean bag chairs where students can take breaks and I hope it will bring more practice to their mindfulness skills while keeping them safe in a controlled space meant to support. Students will be given an array of items to help self-regulate themselves, such as: coloring pages, crayons, fidget toys, buddha boards. They will also have the resources and tools to improve social skills and socioemotional skills. This in turn will support how they communicate their emotions in a more positive way with their peers and adults.

Calming corners have been shown to help support students in identifying and regulating their emotions when they are overwhelming.

Having an array of items such as Zen gardens, buddha boards, and sensory games, my students can express how they are feelings through art and play! Often times students may have a difficult time expressing themselves verbally, but having tools at hand to help manage how they are feeling can be the first step into providing support. Addressing student's mental health needs are essential for academic and emotional success.

Ms. Rafael Southeast Middle School Grades 6-8

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.

South Gate, CA View local requests

Nearly all 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

900 students impacted 5donors

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Big Joe Milano Kid's Smartmax Black Beanbag Chair • Amazon Business $35.97 2 $71.94
Crayola© Classic Original Conical-Tip Markers - Set of 12 • Nasco $4.32 12 $51.84
8 Mini Emotion Plush Toys with A Little SPOT of Feelings Hardcover Book Box Set (fidget toy set - social emotional learning) • DonorsChoose Featured Favorites $45.00 1 $45.00
Kinetic Sand Kalm, Zen Garden Box Fidget Toy with All-Natural Kinetic Sand and 3 Tools & The Original Moldable Sensory Play Sand, Pink, 2 lb. Resealable Bag, Ages 3+ • Amazon Business $39.33 1 $39.33
The Original Buddha Board Art Set: Water Painting w/ Bamboo Brush & Stand for Mindfulness Meditation – Inkless Drawing Board - Painting & Art Supplies – Ideal Relaxation Gifts for Women or Men • Amazon Business $37.00 1 $37.00
KLT Sensory Stress Balls for Adults and Kids: Fidget Squishy Toys 12 Pack, Sensory Toys for Autistic Children, Stress Relief Balls, Anti-Anxiety and Calm Down, Prize Box Toys for Classroom(2.5") • Amazon Business $15.96 2 $31.92
200 Pcs Acupressure Rings Spiky Sensory Finger Rings Stress Relief Fidget Sensory Toys Fidget Ring Anxiety Relief Toys Finger Massager Ring Stress Reducer Ring for Men, Women, Adults, Teens, 10 Colors • Amazon Business $26.99 1 $26.99
Mindful Maze - Set of 3 Double-Sided Boards • Kaplan Early Learning Company $26.96 1 $26.96
Pawz the Calming Pup • Kaplan Early Learning Company $26.96 1 $26.96
Dry Erase LapBoards, PANDRI 16 Pack Double Sided 12.5 x 9 Inch Whiteboards with 16 Erasers and 16 Markers, Dry Erase Boards for Kids Students Classroom Teacher Supplies • Amazon Business $26.87 1 $26.87
52 Essential Relationship Skills Card Game for Empathy - Emotional Intelligence Training, Trust Building Activities, Conversation Starters, Icebreaker Tools, Team Bonding Tools - By Harvard Researcher • Amazon Business $24.98 1 $24.98
52 Essential Social Skills Conversation Cards & Teaching Tool Kit - by Harvard Educator - Social Emotional Learning Activities for Parents, Teachers, School Counselor (Kindergarten, Elementary Kids) • Amazon Business $24.98 1 $24.98
52 Essential Coping Skills Cards - Exercises for Stress Management, Anxiety Relief - Build Emotional Agility, Resilience, Confidence - Self Care Therapy Games for Teens, Adults - by Harvard Educator • Amazon Business $24.98 1 $24.98
50 Pcs Fidget Pack - Party Favors Gifts for Kids, Adults & Autistics - Stress Relief Autism Sensory Toy - Fidget Toys Bulk for Classroom Treasure Box Prizes - Pop Its Fidgets Stocking Stuffers • Amazon Business $24.95 1 $24.95
Japanese Zen Garden for Desk - Sakura Budah 9" x 7" Desktop Mini Zen Garden with White Sand Artificial Bonsai Tree Rocks Rakes & Accessories - Meditation Zen Gifts Sand Garden Kit for Office Zen Decor • Amazon Business $23.99 1 $23.99
Crayola Washable Sidewalk Chalk - 48 Different Colors - Single Box • Kaplan Early Learning Company $10.76 2 $21.52
4 Pack Galaxy Slime Kit,Party Favors for Kids, Non Sticky,Wet,Stress & Anxiety Relief,Slime Bulk for Boys Girl,Cute Stuffers,Super Soft Sludge Toy • Amazon Business $9.99 2 $19.98
Knock Knock Affirmators! Deluxe Deck: 100 Affirmation Cards Deck - Affirmation Cards to Help You Help Yourself Without The Self-Helpy-Ness • Amazon Business $18.86 1 $18.86
20 PCS Stretchy Fidget Toy,Colorful Stretchy Strings Fidget Toy,Sensory Fidget Worm Stretch Toys for Children's Day Gift,Kids,Adults,Boys,Girls,Stress Relief,Calming and Relaxing Present • Amazon Business $8.99 2 $17.98
Appash Fidget Cube Stress Anxiety Pressure Relieving Toy Great for Adults and Children[Gift Idea][Relaxing Toy][Stress Reliever][Soft Material] (Black&Black) • Amazon Business $8.98 2 $17.96
Play-Doh Handout 42-Pack of 1-Ounce Non-Toxic Modeling Compound, Kid Party Favors, School Supplies, Assorted Colors, Ages 2 and Up • Amazon Business $16.99 1 $16.99
2PCS Wheel of Emotions Feelings Chart Throw Pillow Cover Square Pillow Case Mental Health Therapy Office Decor Cushion Cover Physical Therapist Gifts for Home Living Room Sofa Couch Car 18x18inch • Amazon Business $16.99 1 $16.99
Appash Fidget Cube Stress Anxiety Pressure Relieving Toy Great for Adults and Children[Gift Idea][Relaxing Toy][Stress Reliever][Soft Material] (Gray&Black) • Amazon Business $7.96 2 $15.92
4E's Novelty Expandable Breathing Ball - Stress Reliever Fidget Toys (Colors May Vary) for Yoga, Anxiety, Relaxation - Expanding Sphere for Kids & Adult • Amazon Business $13.71 1 $13.71
50PCS Calm Strips for Anxiety Sensory Stickers, Landscape Sensory Stickers Different Textures, Sensory Calming Strips for Desk Kids Classroom Adults Laptop Phone Shell (Landscape) • Amazon Business $11.99 1 $11.99
Growth Mindset Coloring Book: Companion Book to I Can't Do That, YET (Growth Mindset Book Series) • Amazon Business $6.99 1 $6.99
Affirmation Coloring Book for Adults & Teens • Amazon Business $6.99 1 $6.99
Crayola Crayons Assorted Colors 24/Box (523024) • Staples $1.38 5 $6.90

Materials cost

$701.47

Vendor shipping charges

 $10.18

Sales tax

 $64.18

3rd party payment processing fee

$10.52

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$816.35

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$144.06

Total project goal

$960.41

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $960.41

3 Donors

-$311.31

Donations toward project cost

-$287.11

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$24.20

match offer

-$622.64

Match offer toward project cost

-$529.24

Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$93.40

Excluded support for DonorsChoose

-$26.47

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. Rafael and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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