Help me give my students board games like Trouble, chess, checkers, and Mancala.
FULLY FUNDED! Mrs. Gainer's classroom raised $304
This project is fully funded
Celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month
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 Project
For many of my students, losing can feel overwhelming. But losing is an inevitable part of life—and learning to handle it with grace is a vital skill. Board games offer repeated, low-stakes opportunities to practice this. When a pawn is captured or a token is sent back to start, we pause, breathe, and model supportive phrases like “Good game” or “Nice move.” Over time, students begin to internalize these responses, shifting from frustration to resilience and sportsmanship.
Board games like chess, checkers, and Sorry are more than just playtime—they are powerful tools for teaching critical life skills to students with emotional and behavioral disorders.
These games create a structured, engaging environment where students can practice emotional regulation, problem-solving, and social interaction in real time.
Many students with emotional and behavioral disorders have strong visual memory, pattern recognition, and strategic thinking skills. Games like chess and checkers give them a chance to shine. They begin to see themselves as “good at something,” which builds confidence and creates an opening for connection with peers and adults.
Strategic games challenge students to plan ahead, manage impulses, and think flexibly—skills often underdeveloped in students with behavioral challenges. So I'm asking you to please help me bring these games to the classroom to build these skills in my students.
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
Ravensburger Minecraft: Builders & Biomes - Engaging Strategy Board Game | Ideal for 2-4 Players | Perfect for Ages 10 & Up | Authentic Minecraft Experience | Great Gift for Minecraft Enthusiasts
• Amazon Business
$33.98
1
$33.98
Hasbro Jenga
• Kaplan Early Learning Company
$24.26
1
$24.26
Regal Games - Reversible Wooden Board for Chess, Checkers & Tic-Tac-Toe - 24 Interlocking Wooden Checkers and 32 Standard Chess Pieces - for Age 8 to Adult for Family Fun
• Amazon Business
$19.99
1
$19.99
Mattel Games Pictionary Board & Drawing Game for Kids, Adults, Families & Parties, Unique Catch-All Category for 2 Teams (Amazon Exclusive)
• Amazon Business
$19.99
1
$19.99
Hasbro Sorry! Board Game - Elementary-Middle School - Kids
• School Specialty
$17.69
1
$17.69
Hasbro Gaming Battleship with Planes | 2-Player Strategy Board Games for Kids | Easter Gifts for Boys & Girls | Ages 7+ (Amazon Exclusive)
• Amazon Business
$16.99
1
$16.99
Hasbro Hi Ho! Cherry-O Game
• Kaplan Early Learning Company
$16.16
1
$16.16
Regal Games Mancala Board Game - Fun Classic Table Game with Wooden Board for Adults & Kids - 48 Glass Mancala Beads & 2 Player Games - Ideal for Family Game Night, Travel (Ages 8+)
• Amazon Business
$12.73
1
$12.73
Exploding Kittens Original 2 Player Edition - Hilarious Games for Family Game Night - Funny Card Games for Ages 7 and Up - 56 Cards
• Amazon Business
$9.98
1
$9.98
Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza
• Amazon Business
$9.84
1
$9.84
Hasbro Gaming Trouble Board Game for Kids Ages 5 and Up 2-4 Players (Packaging may vary)
• Amazon Business
$8.98
1
$8.98
University Games Dog Man Hot Dog Card Game in a Tin , The Fast and Frenzied Collection Game for Kids Featuring Art from the Dog Man Books by Dav Pilkey, for Players Ages 6 and Up
• Amazon Business
$7.72
1
$7.72
Mattel Games UNO Emoji Card Game for Kids, Adults, Families & Parties, Deck Features Hilarious Emojis
• Amazon Business
$6.49
1
$6.49
Materials cost
$204.80
Vendor shipping charges
$1.77
Sales tax
$17.92
3rd party payment processing fee
$3.07
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$257.56
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$45.45
Total project goal
$303.01
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$303.01
5 Donors
-$0.00
Donations toward project cost
-$0.00
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 Mrs. Gainer and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
