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This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Samantha Cato from Olathe, KS is requesting educational kits & games through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Ms. Samantha Cato is requesting
Fully Funded

Ms. Samantha Cato's classroom raised $761

“Hands-On Sensory Bins for Calming and Learning!”

Help me give my students sensory bin fillers that spark curiosity, strengthen fine motor skills, and provide calming sensory input, helping them feel ready to learn and succeed.

This project is fully funded

Classroom photo
Ms. Samantha Cato profile photo
Ms. Samantha Cato Fairview Elementary School
Olathe, KS Grades PreK-2

My Project

My students are a wonderful group of Kindergarten through 5th graders who love to explore, discover, and learn in hands-on ways. What makes them special is their curiosity and determination; they thrive when learning is engaging and interactive. Sensory play provides them with opportunities to regulate their bodies, focus their attention, and build confidence in a safe, enjoyable way.

The specific items I am requesting—beans, rice, pasta, cotton balls, pom-poms, kinetic sand, and magnetic learning pieces—will make a real difference in my students’ growth.

Fillers like beans, rice, pasta, and cotton balls provide unique textures that spark curiosity and help students calm and focus. Pom-poms and kinetic sand encourage creativity while building fine motor skills. Magnetic learning pieces will turn sensory play into an academic opportunity, helping students practice letters, numbers, and sorting.

The goal of this project is to create sensory bins that are both calming and educational, where students can strengthen fine motor skills, practice turn-taking, and reinforce academic concepts in a fun, meaningful way. These bins will provide my students with joyful opportunities to learn through play while meeting their individual nee

Equity Focus

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

More than half of students from low‑income households

8 students impacted 8 donors
Ms. Samantha Cato Fairview Elementary School Grades PreK-2

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.

Olathe, KS View local requests

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

8 students impacted 8donors

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TEACHERS, FEELING INSPIRED?

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Jenaai 60 Pcs Stacking Rocks Montessori Toys for 1+ Year Old Colorful Wooden Balance Stones Baby Easter Basket Stuffers Blocks Sensory Games Preschool Learning Educational Puzzle Toys(Morandi Color) • Amazon Business $25.99 2 $51.98
Kaplan Early Learning Magnetic Wood Cookie Counters - 21 Pieces • Kaplan Early Learning Company $44.96 1 $44.96
Alphabet Acorns Activity Set • Quill.com $28.43 1 $28.43
Dowling Magnets? Magnet Wands for Grades PK-12, Pack of 12 • Quill.com $27.71 1 $27.71
Woodtoe Toddler Fine Motor Skill Toys, Fall Autumn Apple Picking Magnetic Tree Toy, Montessori Wooden Sensory Toys for Toddlers, Sorting and Matching, Educational Early Learning Activity for Ages 3+ • Amazon Business $26.99 1 $26.99
Woodtoe Montessori Toys for 3 4 5 6 Year Old, Pumpkin Picking Magnetic Leaves Tree Toy, Toddler Fine Motor Skill Toy, Wooden Sensory Color Sorting Toys, Fall Autumn Harvest Activities STEM for Kids • Amazon Business $25.99 1 $25.99
MagicWater Supply - 1/2 LB - Coffee Brown - Crinkle Cut Paper Shred Filler great for Gift Wrapping, Basket Filling, Birthdays, Weddings, Anniversaries • Amazon Business $12.63 2 $25.26
MagicWater Supply - 1/2 LB - Red & Green - Crinkle Cut Paper Shred Filler great for Gift Wrapping, Basket Filling, Birthdays, Weddings, Anniversaries • Amazon Business $12.63 2 $25.26
School Health Non-Sterile Cotton Ball, Medium, Pack of 2000 • School Specialty $23.47 1 $23.47
Kinetic Sand, The Original Moldable Sensory Play Sand, Brown, 2 lb. Resealable Bag, Ages 3+ • Amazon Business $10.99 2 $21.98
Sensory-N-Stuff Sensory Bin Filler for Sensory Table - Colored Rice for Sensory Play (Fall) • Amazon Business $21.77 1 $21.77
Sensory-N-Stuff Sensory Bin Filler for Sensory Table - Colored Rice for Sensory Play (Christmas RGW) • Amazon Business $21.77 1 $21.77
Sensory-N-Stuff Sensory Bin Filler for Sensory Table - Colored Rice for Sensory Play (Flower Rice) • Amazon Business $21.55 1 $21.55
Roylco Colored Pasta Noodle, Assorted Colors and Shapes, 1 Pound • School Specialty $10.49 2 $20.98
Creativity for Kids Sensory Bin: Mermaid - Mermaid Toys and Sensory Bins for Toddlers, Sensory Box and Bin Filler, Toddler Activities and Gifts for Girls (Ages 3+) • Amazon Business $19.99 1 $19.99
HENMI 500PCS Artificial Maple Leaves 5 Assorted Mixed Fake Fall Maple Leaf Lifelike Looking Silk Autumn Leaf Garland for Halloween Fall Decor Party Festival Thanksgiving Table Decorations… • Amazon Business $9.99 2 $19.98
Suponey 12 Colors Easter Grass Raffia Paper Shreds Basket Filler for Gift Wrap Party Decoration • Amazon Business $9.98 2 $19.96
Special Supplies Fun Foam Modeling Foam Beads Play Kit, Children’s Educational Clay for Arts Crafts Kindergarten, Preschool Kids Toys Develop Creativity, Motor Skills (10) • Amazon Business $18.99 1 $18.99
Wettarn 9 Pcs Sensory Bin Filler Fine Motor Skills Handy Scooper Set Sensory Bin Tools, Include 4 Scoops, 2 Tweezers, Scissors Clips, Plastic Forceps and Air Pump for Sorting Counting • Amazon Business $15.99 1 $15.99
Blosssound 265 Pcs Fall Fine Motor Thanksgiving Counting Sorting Sensory Bin Filler Set Includes Pom Poms Fall Leaves Sorting Cups Tweezers Scissors Clips for Autumn Thanksgiving Decor Early Education • Amazon Business $14.99 1 $14.99
HAKACC 40 PCS Mini Fake Pumpkins Mini Artificial Pumpkins with 30 PCS Fake Maple Leaves, Small Cute Realistic Foam Pumpkin for Halloween Decoration, Fall Harvest Thanksgiving Party Decoration • Amazon Business $13.99 1 $13.99
FARAON Black Beans, 4 Pound • Amazon Business $6.36 2 $12.72
MagicWater Supply - 1/2 LB - Yellow Orange - Crinkle Cut Paper Shred Filler great for Gift Wrapping, Basket Filling, Birthdays, Weddings, Anniversaries • Amazon Business $12.63 1 $12.63
Adeweave 1000 Assorted Pom poms – Soft and Fluffy Craft Pom Pom Balls – Multicolor Craft Supplies Pompoms for Arts and Crafts in a Reusable Box, Large Puff Ball Ideal for DIY and School Activities • Amazon Business $9.99 1 $9.99
1shopforyou Realistic Fake Apples - 20 PCS - 10 Red Apples and 10 Green Apples - Fake Fruits for Decoration • Amazon Business $8.90 1 $8.90
JOHOUSE 18 PCS Natural Pine Cones, Christmas Rustic Pinecones Fall Garland Halloween Thanksgiving Decorations, Christmas Tree Fall Ornaments, Winter Vase Filler • Amazon Business $7.48 1 $7.48

Materials cost

$563.71

Vendor shipping charges

 $4.44

Sales tax

 $39.74

3rd party payment processing fee

$8.46

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$646.35

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$114.06

Total project goal

$760.41

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $760.41

7 Donors

-$380.20

Donations toward project cost

-$323.17

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$57.03

match offer

-$380.21

Match offer toward project cost

-$323.18

Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$57.03

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

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

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Project Activity

Project Activity
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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 Ms. Samantha Cato and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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