Help me give my students pens and notebooks to foster "screen-free" brain development.
$927 goal
This project expired on August 23, 2025.
This project expired on August 23, 2025.
My Project
In response to my classes reading an article about social media use, I recently asked students how much time they spend online each day. Students estimated their daily “screen time” then totaled their hours for the week. Some students were spending more time online than they would working a full-time job–a few 50-60 hours a week!
I want to foster screen-free brain development in my students starting next year by going as analog as possible, embracing the motto, “Technology as tool, NOT toy.” I plan to emphasize screen-free, “analog” reading, writing, and thinking in my classroom–as much as is practical–and need some help to do so.
Remember the fun of school supply shopping? Finding that perfect pen or stylish Trapper Keeper? If students have an array of pens and pencils to try, they will surely find one that they love to write with; likewise, by offering several notebook and folder options, students will find a one that they will enjoy filling up with their ideas. They can see their work and accomplishments in front of them.
By including some other “analog options,” students can explore (puzzles, coloring pages, etc.), I hope to motivate students to seek screen-free downtime activities even outside my classroom when they finish required school work.
I will make my classroom a screen-free oasis but need help purchasing the physical school supplies, many of which are not available through our standard school supply list, to make this a reality. I hope you’ll help my efforts to encourage students to exercise and develop their “screen-free” brains.
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
90 students impacted
Boost your odds
Add a profile photo in addition to your classroom photo. If you add a photo, it'll show up right here on your project page.
You are more likely to receive funding if you put a face to your name.
PILOT Precise V5 RT Extra-Fine Premium Retractable Rolling Ball Pens, 0.5mm, Assorted Colors, 8 Count (11890)
• Amazon Business
$13.89
8
$111.12
Sharpie Ultra-Fine Point Marker - Color Burst Colors, Set of 24
• Blick Art Materials
$23.91
4
$95.64
BIC Gel-ocity Quick Dry (Dries Up To 3x Faster) SUPER BRIGHT COLORS 24 Pack, Smear Free, Assorted Colors Retractable Gel Pens, Medium Point 0.7mm, Colorful Pens for adults Women & Men
• Amazon Business
$27.83
3
$83.49
Pilot G2 Gel Pen Set - 1.0 mm, Set of 8
• Blick Art Materials
$12.97
4
$51.88
Sargent Art Sargent Washable Art Markers, Fine Tip, Assorted Colors, Set of 36
• School Specialty
$3.99
8
$31.92
BIC Round Stic Xtra Life Ballpoint Pen, Medium Point, 1.0mm, Blue Ink, 60/Pack (GSM609BE)
• Quill.com
$10.35
3
$31.05
BIC Round Stic Xtra-Life Ballpoint Pen, Medium Point, 1.0mm, Black Ink, 60/Pack (GSM609-BLK)
• Quill.com
$7.58
3
$22.74
Materials cost
$743.08
Vendor shipping charges
$3.19
Sales tax
$0.00
3rd party payment processing fee
$11.15
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$787.42
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$138.96
Total project goal
$926.38
Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.
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 Mr. Adams and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
{"pmaHash":"","showProjectRecommendations":true,"leadGenEnabled":true,"hideTeacherDetails":false,"schoolState":"WI","teacherPossessivePronoun":"his","PMsManager":null,"schoolGradeType":{"id":4,"name":"High School"},"TeacherPMForms":{},"completingDonationAmount":927,"teacherHasClassroomPhoto":true,"proposalURL":"https://www.donorschoose.org/project/fostering-screen-free-brain-development/9265151/","mayHaveReplacements":false,"numStudents":90,"isEquityFocusV1":false,"teacherScreenName":"Mr. Adams","isEquityFocus":true,"proposalHash":"37018028","isApplePayMobileOnly":true,"progressBarPercentage":0.00,"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"photosPublished":false,"queryString":"","DonorPMForm":null,"shouldTrackEquityFocusV2":true,"schoolCity":"Barron","teachersOnPage":[6899678],"isTeacherViewingTheirOwnProject":false,"minimizedLeadGenEnabled":true,"proposalId":9265151,"proposalMessageFormModel":null,"numActiveProjects":1,"verifyShowPhotos":"","eligibleToBeCopied":false,"schoolId":36889,"schoolName":"Barron High School","authorIds":{"6899678":{"owner":"Mr. Adams","donationSalutations":{}}},"displayedPercentFunded":0.0,"proposalsOnPage":[9265151],"pmaId":"","teacherProfilePhotoURL":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6899678_orig.jpg?crop=1869,1869,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1571423760701","teacherHasProfilePhoto":true,"currentWorkflowStatusCode":7,"teacherChallengeId":21514244,"isApplePayEnabled":true,"fundedByTarget":false,"activeProject":{"completingDonationAmount":177,"proposalURL":"project/playing-with-words-to-demonstrate-knowle/9726739/","proposalTitle":"Playing With Words to Demonstrate Knowledge","proposalId":9726739},"donorIdsForImpactPhotoCheck":[],"teacherId":6899678,"schoolCounty":"Barron","fullyFunded":false,"isStudentLed":false,"isExpired":true,"schoolStateObj":{"code":"WI","name":"Wisconsin"}}
