Developing Community Through Play: Bringing Back Classic Board Games!
Help me give my students a safe space where they can digitally disconnect from their devices (and stresses), and instead socialize with one another; help bring back Dominoes, chess, and even Play-Doh to boost student emotional well-being!
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 Students
Teaching is my life's work, and my high schoolers are my life's reward. My students are amazing because they regularly impress me with their insight, enthusiasm, and honesty.
The students of #Room1128 are special and appreciated: The one who fixes my IT issues, the one who translates for the ELL students, the one who volunteers to read--with gusto, the one who knows where all my misplaced objects go, the one who makes clever comments, the one who says little but listens to all, and even the one who leads the mini-rebellions.
Teaching freshmen is so rewarding because you get to witness their growth throughout four years. Students know they have a home-away-from-home at school, and their visits brighten up my day. They are members of various unofficial clubs--The Unofficial Breakfast Club, The Unofficial After School Club, and most recently, an Unofficial Pet Club! I feel so fortunate when they share their victories, fears, and thoughts in our sacred space.
My Project
Though teaching high school freshmen and juniors may seem daunting to some, teens are in just as much need of love and attention as younger kids. High schoolers look for mentorship and community in our classrooms, and as teachers, we strive to provide it to them. In more recent years, conversations about student mental health and general well-being have taken center stage in education. And I, for one, intend to do my part as an educator to ensure my classroom is not just a place for learning, but also a place where students can be safe and social with one another-- be it after school, before school, or during a free period.
These board games donations are meant to enrich my students' sense of community and mental well-being by providing them with a safe environment where they can de-stress, socialize, and play (free of cell phones and electronics)!
It used to surprise me how willing teenagers were to share their struggles and/or victories, but in this, my tenth year teaching, I've come to expect it. In the same way that I've built a classroom library for students to cozy up to a new book and read, I aspire to build a game area where students can disconnect from the outside world and instead connect with each other.
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
Crayola Air-Dry Clay, White, 25 Pound Value Pack Natural Clay for Kids, No Baking, Dries Hard, Easy to Paint, A Smoother, Simpler, Less-Sticky Alternative to Traditional Ceramics
• Amazon Business
$33.64
1
$33.64
Play-Doh Modeling Compound 50- Value Pack Case of Colors , Non-Toxic , Assorted Colors , 1-Ounce Cans
• Amazon Business
$20.74
1
$20.74
Click N' Play 300-piece 100% Real Wooden Domino Blocks Set, Racing Toy Game, Building and Stacking Toy Blocks
• Amazon Business
$18.57
1
$18.57
Colored Pencils 72colors Artist Quality-Coloring Book Colored Pencil Set for Adults and Children
• Amazon Business
$16.99
1
$16.99
Hasbro Gaming Guesstures Game
• Amazon Business
$14.90
1
$14.90
Pictionary Game
• Amazon Business
$14.19
1
$14.19
Taboo Board Game
• Amazon Business
$13.71
1
$13.71
Life Of The Wild: A Whimsical Adult Coloring Book: Stress Relieving Animal Designs
• Amazon Business
$12.37
1
$12.37
FRIMOONY Dough Tools for Kids, Various Plastic Molds, Assorted Colors, 45 Pieces
• Amazon Business
$11.99
1
$11.99
Hasbro Connect 4 Game
• Amazon Business
$5.51
2
$11.02
Catch Phrase Game
• Amazon Business
$10.71
1
$10.71
Rocket Box Jacks Game: Retro, New Vintage, Classic Game of Jacks, Gold and Silver Toned Jacks, Two Red Bouncy Balls and Set of Instructions, Fun for Kids and Adults of All Ages.
• Amazon Business
$9.99
1
$9.99
Pressman Toy Double Six Wooden Dominoes, 28 Pieces
• Amazon Business
$4.99
2
$9.98
Color & Frame Adult Coloring Book - In the Forest
• Amazon Business
$6.28
1
$6.28
Materials cost
$205.08
Vendor shipping charges
FREE
Sales tax
$0.00
3rd party payment processing fee
$3.08
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$238.16
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$42.03
Total project goal
$280.19
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$280.19
4 Donors
-$275.78
Donations toward project cost
-$238.16
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
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. Almendarez and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
