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This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Sands from La Mesa, CA is requesting art supplies through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Ms. Sands is requesting

Cutting Edge Knife Skills

Help me give my students an opportunity to practice their knife cutting skills on a daily basis.

FULLY FUNDED! Ms. Sands's classroom raised $170

This project is fully funded

My Students

The students I have the opportunity to work with are creative, innovative, enthusiastic young people who are known to thank their teachers when they leave classrooms. There are over 1,100 students on campus in grades four through eight. It wasn't always like this, but in the past few years, the school has blossomed as the result of a visionary principal, progressive staff, and active parent community. As a result, there is now a lottery and long waitlist for new enrollees.

Parents are coming in droves to visit the campus and see all it has to offer including a wide variety of elective classes that you would normally only have access to in high school or college.

For example, students can take Theater, Dance, Speech, Tap, Ensemble, Encore, Keyboards, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Art just to name a few. They can also get involved in a Community Action Team elective course, Future Teacher elective course, or be a part of ASB, Media or Yearbook. They can even learn how to use a 3D printer in a class designed to teach that skill. The students are noticeably vibrant and well-behaved. Everyone feels fortunate to be there, including me.

My Project

Currently, when teaching my culinary students knife skills, I have them practice on produce like celery, onions, or potatoes. While this is a great way for them to practice, it is expensive to purchase enough produce for over 60 students to practice. Knife cutting skills need to practiced weekly.

By purchasing a safe dough that can be reused again and again, students will have more opportunities to perfect their skills without the expense and waste associated with purchasing produce for this purpose.

The dough is soft enough that students can learn to grip the knife properly and apply force correctly before they move on to more dense foods. I have noticed that when they try cutting potatoes, for example, it is really tough for someone who is learning to cut properly for the first time. When one is a novice, learning to cut with produce is less safe. Using the dough will give them more practice so that they will be able to tackle the more difficult foods with more confidence. The cutting skills book will also provide valuable diagrams that can be shared with the students.

Ms. Sands La Mesa Arts Academy 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.

La Mesa, CA View local requests

More than a third 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

60 students impacted 3donors

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Expand the "Where your donation goes" section below to see exactly what Ms. Sands 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
The Zwilling J. A. Henckels Complete Book of Knife Skills: The Essential Guide to Use, Techniques and Care • Amazon Business $25.09 1 $25.09
Mad Mattr Super-Soft Modelling Dough Compound that Never Dries Out, 10 Ounces, Green • Amazon Business $12.99 1 $12.99
Relevant Play Mad Mattr Super-Soft Modelling Dough Compound that Never Dries Out, 10 Ounces, Blue • Amazon Business $12.99 1 $12.99
Relevant Play Mad Mattr Super-Soft Modelling Dough Compound That Never Dries Out (Yellow, 10oz) • Amazon Business $12.99 1 $12.99
Relevant Play Mad Mattr Super-Soft Modelling Dough Compound that Never Dries Out, 10 Ounces, Purple • Amazon Business $12.99 1 $12.99
MAD MATTR Relevant Play Jewel Tones - Soft Modelling Dough Compound That Never Dries Out, 10 Ounces (Flamingo Pink) • Amazon Business $12.99 1 $12.99
Relevant Play Mad Mattr Super-Soft Modelling Dough Compound That Never Dries Out (Orange, 10oz) • Amazon Business $12.99 1 $12.99

Materials cost

$103.03

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $9.43

3rd party payment processing fee

$1.55

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$144.01

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$25.41

Total project goal

$169.42

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $169.42

2 Donors

-$79.88

Donations toward project cost

-$73.88

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$6.00

match offer

-$82.51

Match offer toward project cost

-$70.13

Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$12.38

Excluded support for DonorsChoose

-$7.04

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.

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DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

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. Sands and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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