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This teacher needs your help!

Mrs. Kirshen from Pleasant Hill, CA is requesting classroom basics through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Mrs. Kirshen is requesting

Engaging Students in Science

Help me give my students sketchbooks, pencils, fossil models & fossils, and prizes to earn like stickers, bookmarks stress balls and bouncy balls.

FULLY FUNDED! Mrs. Kirshen's classroom raised $651

This project is fully funded

My Project

I have always been reluctant to draw because I don't think I'm very skilled. My own lack of confidence means that I usually don't ask my students to draw so that they don't feel bad. I attended a science teacher training at the Smithsonian's Natural History Museum where I was forced to keep a sketchbook to record my observations throughout labs, lectures and field trips. It was an amazing experience. I was inspired and want to help my students create their own scientific notebook with sketches, whether they think they are artistically talented or not.

Maria Montessori said “We cannot create observers by saying, ‘observe,’ but by giving them the power and the means for this observation and those means are procured through education of the senses.” My students need to start practicing and refining their observation skills.

Sketching throughout the year in their own science sketchbook will help them with these skills. One of our topics will be fossils. Students will use the models of creatures and real fossils as they sketch them.

Along with the sketchbooks and pencils for each student, I am requesting a variety of prizes for them to earn, like stickers, bookmarks, mini skateboards, bracelets bouncy balls and stress balls. They earn stamps for good behavior, completing assignments and more. They turn in stamps to earn prizes. All of these supplies will help my students to be more engaged in their studies.

Mrs. Kirshen Sequoia 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.

Pleasant Hill, CA View local requests

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

200 students impacted 98donors

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TEACHERS, FEELING INSPIRED?

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
LABUK 7 Pack A5 Spiral Notebook 100 Pages Blank Sketchbook Pad Unlined Notebooks Soft Cover Kraft Journal 8.3"x 5.5" Memo Notepads Diary Planner, 50 Sheets for School Office Travel (Brown) • Amazon Business $16.99 12 $203.88
Ohanniewa Bouncy Balls for Kids 20 Pieces 5 Styles 32mm Assorted Bouncy Balls with Storage Bag for Birthday Party Favors • Amazon Business $13.99 3 $41.97
Rarlan Wood-Cased #2 HB Pencils, Pre-sharpened, 500 Count Classpack • Amazon Business $37.96 1 $37.96
Wang-Data 24 Pack Squeezable World Stress Balls for Kids Mini World Globe Earth Ball - Pressure Relieving Health Balls Globe Pattern Balls for Kids, School, Classroom, Party Favors (2.5" Inches) • Amazon Business $16.99 2 $33.98
Galaxy Stress Balls for Kids - Pack of 50 Bulk - Squeeze Anxiety Fidget Sensory Balls for Children with Outer Space Theme, Great Toys for Party Favors and Birthday Party Supplies • Amazon Business $26.79 1 $26.79
ZNNCO 30PCS Push Pop Pop Bubble Toy Fidget Bracelet, Durable and Adjustable, Multicolor Stress Relief Finger Press Bracelet for Kids and Adults ADHD ADD Autism • Amazon Business $20.99 1 $20.99
TOYMANY 10PCS Cambrian Sea Creature Animal Figurines, Plastic Ancient Marine Animal Toy Figures with Dunkleosteus,Cephalaspis,Opabinia, Prehistoric Educational Learning Toys School Project • Amazon Business $18.99 1 $18.99
10 Pieces Mini Skateboards Finger Skate Fingerboard Toy Fingertip Movement Board for Adults Boys Girls, Random Pattern(10 Pieces) • Amazon Business $17.29 1 $17.29
Starborn Baltic Amber with Insect Inclusion - One Piece • Amazon Business $16.98 1 $16.98
Sea Creature Sellfish Realistic Type Plush Doll (Stuffed Doll/ 12 cm) • Amazon Business $14.50 1 $14.50
120 Pieces Colorful Flower Feather Shaped Bookmarks Floral Bookmark Card Feather Bookmark Paper Bookmark for Kids Woman Teacher Students Reading Planner Books School Office, 60 Designs • Amazon Business $10.99 1 $10.99
80pcs Various Sweet Lovely Beautiful Butterfly Stickers Pack, Cute Waterproof Vinyl Stickers for Water Bottle Laptop MacBook Bike Car Decals, Cute Animal Gifts • Amazon Business $7.60 1 $7.60
Vintage Style Bookmarks for Women Men Teens, 30PCS (The Secret of Map) • Amazon Business $6.99 1 $6.99
80 Pcs Funny Dog Vinyl Stickers for Kids Teens Waterproof Water Bottle Stickers Pack for Laptop Phone Case Scrapbook Binders Luggage Skateboard Helmet Bike Car Decals School Supplies • Amazon Business $6.99 1 $6.99
92 Pcs Vintage Galaxy Scrapbook Stickers Vintage Self Adhesive Stickers for Arts,Scrapbooking,Planners, DIY Crafts (Galaxy) • Amazon Business $6.90 1 $6.90

Materials cost

$472.80

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $43.26

3rd party payment processing fee

$7.09

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$553.15

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$97.61

Total project goal

$650.76

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $650.76

96 Donors

-$538.88

Donations toward project cost

-$499.76

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$39.12

match offer

-$65.00

Match offer toward project cost

-$55.25

Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$9.75

Excluded support for DonorsChoose

-$49.07

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 Mrs. Kirshen and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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