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Ms. Erika from Washington, DC is requesting educational kits & games through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

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Cultivating Learning: A Tree Study for Preschoolers!

Help me give my students Sumblox and other math and science enrichment resources that would build academic skills through an in-depth study of trees!

FULLY FUNDED! Ms. Erika's classroom raised $374

This project is fully funded

My Students

I teach in a high-poverty, all-female public school/Head Start program. We use a project-based approach which lends itself very naturally to lots of experiments and field experiences as the context for learning critical pre-literacy, pre-math and social-emotional skills.

My students are fiercely curious and active four-year old girls learning in a single-sex classroom environment.

One of the most common questions I hear is, “How...”, which inevitably leads us into an experiment/investigation! Everyday is a joy with loads of learning and lots of laughter.

This year, we are studying the natural environment (trees), the built environment (buildings), the interaction between people and the natural and built environment (reduce, reuse, recycle), culture and art (through a clothing study), and physics and coding (through a balls study)

My Project

We are a play-based classroom teaching academic skills through in-depth studies. With each study, we bring new study-related resources into our learning centers. During our upcoming tree study, we need resources that will support our project-based approach for developing critical pre-academic skills while learning about trees.

If this project is funded, my students will experience enriched learning centers as they learn core academic skills.

Sumblox, a natural wood math block set, will be added to the block center; each number block is made from trees, and has its value represented by its height and is represented numerically. Children see, touch and manipulate the block numerals and values at the same time, making it much easier for students to develop number identification, value and adding skills. We will add a paper making kit to the sand/water table, to deepen child understanding of where paper comes from and how recycled paper is made, and to provide an alternative material (our recycled paper products) for our writing and art centers. We will add Earth’s Elements at Play, a set of loose parts that look like natural elements such as trees, to our toys and games center. We will challenge students to build their fine-motor and problem-solving skills as they engage in our in-depth study of trees. The Chicka Chicka Boom Boom tree will enhance our library center, providing children with story re-telling as well as alphabetic principle practice. And, in our music area, we will add the xylophone, a musical instrument made from wood that my students have never used.

Project tagged as

Washington, DC
Grades PreK-2
Early Development
Traditional School
Educational Kits & Games
More than three‑quarters of students from low‑income households

Ms. Erika Excel Academy Grades PreK-2

Celebrate Black teachers and kids! This project supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of students are Black.

Equity Focus

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Washington, DC 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

14 students impacted 5donors

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes

Materials Cost Quantity Total

SumBlox Math Blocks Set - 43 Pieces • Kaplan Early Learning Company $107.96 1 $107.96

Resources: Earth's Elements at Play - 144 Pieces • Kaplan Early Learning Company $49.46 1 $49.46

Tree & Props for Chicka Chicka Boom Boom • Amazon Business $38.77 1 $38.77

Arnold Grummer Large Economy Dip Handmold, 8-1/2 X 11 in • Amazon Business $27.99 1 $27.99

Sumblox Early Childhood Activity Cards - Set of 12 • Kaplan Early Learning Company $26.96 1 $26.96

Wooden Xylophone for Kids: Set of Perfectly Sized Glockenspiel Musical Toy for Kids - with Clear Sounding Metal Keys, Two Child-Safe Wood Mallets Sticks and a Free Eagle Whistle for Music-Making Fun • Amazon Business $15.99 1 $15.99

Materials cost			$267.13
Vendor shipping charges			FREE
Sales tax			$16.03
3rd party payment processing fee			$4.01
Fulfillment labor & materials			$30.00
Total project cost			$317.17
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms			$55.97
Total project goal			$373.14
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal			$373.14
4 Donors			-$187.00
Donations toward project cost			-$158.95
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms			-$28.05
match offer			-$186.14
Match offer toward project cost			-$158.22
Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms			-$27.92
Still needed View calculation Hide 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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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. Erika and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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

This teacher needs your help!

Cultivating Learning: A Tree Study for Preschoolers!

This project is fully funded

My Students

My Project

Project tagged as

Celebrate Black teachers and kids! This project supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of students are Black.

Equity Focus

Boost your odds

Top rated for efficiency and transparency.

TEACHERS, FEELING INSPIRED?

Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes

How we calculate what's needed

Give the most requested basic supplies

Give back to your community

Project Activity

Project Activity

DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

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