You're on track to get doubled donations (and unlock a reward for the colleague who referred you). Keep up the great work!
Take credit for your charitable giving! Check out your tax receipts
Donate
To use your $50 gift card credits, find a project to fund and we'll automatically apply your credits at checkout. Find a classroom project
Skip to main content

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season!
Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.

Your school email address was successfully verified.

See this teacher's page

This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Slatoff from Hayward, CA is requesting educational kits & games through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Ms. Slatoff is requesting

January National Puzzle Month Piecing It Together: Puzzles Solvers

Help me give my students access to screen-free learning and find new ways to learn problem-solving and social-emotional skills.

  • $591 goal

This project expired on May 23, 2025.

This project expired on May 23, 2025.

Celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month

Celebrate 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

My students are curious, energetic, and love a challenge! Puzzles are a fantastic way to encourage critical thinking, perseverance, and collaboration in the classroom. With various puzzles, from jigsaws, my students will develop problem-solving skills while having fun. Plus, we just learned that January is National Puzzle Month.

These puzzles and games will also support a variety of learning styles, allowing students to engage hands-on while practicing patience, strategy, and communication.

Whether working solo or in small groups, puzzles provide a screen-free, engaging way to grow their minds.

Puzzles are great for developing cognitive skills and fostering social skills in students. Working on puzzles in pairs or groups encourages collaboration, as students must communicate effectively to share ideas, divide tasks, and solve challenges together. This cooperative process helps them practice patience, active listening, and the ability to compromise when disagreements arise. Completing a puzzle as a team creates a sense of accomplishment and strengthens relationships, building a supportive and inclusive classroom community.

Puzzles are an excellent tool for fostering STEM skills in students by encouraging critical thinking, problem-solving, and spatial reasoning. When working on puzzles, students analyze patterns, recognize shapes, and strategize solutions—key skills in math and engineering. Logic-based puzzles promote computational thinking, helping students develop algorithms to solve complex problems, a foundation of computer science. For example, 3D puzzles challenge students to visualize structures and understand spatial relationships, which are crucial in engineering and design. Additionally, puzzles that incorporate science themes, like anatomy or space exploration, spark curiosity and connect hands-on learning to STEM concepts.

By supporting this project, you'll help create a space where learning feels like play, and every student can feel the joy of solving something challenging. Thank you for helping us piece it all together!

Ms. Slatoff Bret Harte 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.

Hayward, CA 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

65 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.

Upload a photo

Top rated for efficiency and transparency.

You donate directly to the teacher or project you care about and see where every dollar you give goes.

Expand the "Where your donation goes" section below to see exactly what Ms. Slatoff is requesting.

See our finances

TEACHERS, FEELING INSPIRED?

You can start a project with the same resources being requested here!

Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
The Original Newverest Jigsaw Puzzle Mat Roll Up, Saver Pad 46” x 26” Portable Keeper Up to 1500 Pieces with Non-Slip Rubber Bottom & Smooth Top + 3 Puzzle Sorting Trays & Travel-Friendly Storage Bag • Amazon Business $52.22 2 $104.44
Cavallini 1000 Piece Puzzle, Map of San Francisco (PZL/SFMAP) • Amazon Business $28.99 1 $28.99
Mini Jigsaw Puzzles,4-in-1 Small Jigsaw Puzzles,Puzzles for Kids Age3+,Famous Painting Art Puzzle,10" x 7" Fun Puzzles,Decompression Puzzle Educational Game,Gifts for Kids Adults • Amazon Business $23.99 1 $23.99
YouTheFan NHL San Jose Sharks Purebred Fans 500pc Puzzle - A Real Nailbiter • Amazon Business $19.99 1 $19.99
4D Build, Harry Potter Hogwarts Castle 3D Puzzle Model Kit 209 Pcs | Harry Potter Gifts Desk Decor | Building Toys | 3D Puzzles for Adults & Teens 12+ • Amazon Business $19.99 1 $19.99
Buffalo Games - Puzzle Sorting Trays - 7 Count (Pack of 1) • Amazon Business $9.99 2 $19.98
MasterPieces 500-Piece NFL Drip Art Helmet Shaped Puzzle - Perfect for NFL Fanatics - 25"x22" • Amazon Business $18.80 1 $18.80
Rubik's Cube, The Original 3x3 Cube 3D Puzzle Fidget Cube Stress Relief Fidget Toy Brain Teasers Travel Games for Adults and Kids Ages 8+ • Amazon Business $9.36 2 $18.72
Lakeshore Our Solar System Floor Puzzle • Lakeshore Learning Materials $16.99 1 $16.99
World Map Puzzle for Kids - 75 Piece - World Puzzles with Continents - Childrens Jigsaw Geography Puzzles for Kids Ages 4-8, 5, 6, 7, 8-10 Year Olds - Globe Atlas Puzzle Maps • Amazon Business $16.86 1 $16.86
Rubik’s Cube, 3x3 Magnetic Speed Cube For Super Fast Solves, Brain Teaser Fidget Toy, Christmas Gifts for Teens, Stocking Stuffers, for Ages 8+ • Amazon Business $14.99 1 $14.99
Schylling The 15 Puzzle - Number Slide Brain Teaser (4-Pack) • Amazon Business $13.31 1 $13.31
Buffalo Games - Foil Puzzle - Star Wars - Darth Vader's Meditation Chamber - 500 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle • Amazon Business $12.99 1 $12.99
Galison Michael Storrings Paris Puzzle, 1,000 Pieces, 20”x27” – Fun and Challenging – Piece Together a Charming Paris Scene Complete with The Metro, Cafes, Shops, and The Iconic Eiffel Tower, 1000 • Amazon Business $12.74 1 $12.74
Galison Michael Storrings 1000 Piece London Jigsaw Puzzle for Adults, Illustrated Art Puzzle with Scene from the Streets of London, Multicolor • Amazon Business $12.74 1 $12.74
Buffalo Games - Country Store - 500 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle Multicolor, 21.25"L X 15"W • Amazon Business $10.99 1 $10.99
Marvel, 25-Piece Jigsaw Foam Squishy Puzzle Go Spidey! Disney Junior Spidey and his Amazing Friends Show, for Kids Ages 4 and up • Amazon Business $10.99 1 $10.99
Buffalo Games - Days to Remember - Autumn Memories - 500 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle For Adults - Challenging Puzzle Perfect for Game Nights - 500 Piece Finished Size Is 21.25 x 15.00 • Amazon Business $10.78 1 $10.78
YouTheFan NFL Las Vegas Raiders Retro Series Puzzle - 500 Pieces, Team Colors, Large • Amazon Business $8.99 1 $8.99
YouTheFan NFL San Francisco 49ers Barnyard Fans 500pc Puzzle • Amazon Business $8.74 1 $8.74
RoseArt - Kodak Premium - Space Shuttle Launch - 100 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle for Adults • Amazon Business $7.02 1 $7.02
RoseArt - Peanuts - Baseball - 100 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle for Kids and Adults • Amazon Business $6.99 1 $6.99
RoseArt - Kodak Premium - Panda Playtime - 100 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle for Adults • Amazon Business $5.49 1 $5.49

Materials cost

$425.51

Vendor shipping charges

 $0.85

Sales tax

 $38.93

3rd party payment processing fee

$6.38

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$501.67

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$88.53

Total project goal

$590.20

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

View complete list Show less

Give the most requested basic supplies

See teacher requests

Give back to your community

Find opportunities to impact local needs by exploring a map of classroom projects near you.

See local area

Project Activity

Project Activity
Back to top

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. Slatoff and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

See how DonorsChoose works
{"pmaHash":"","showProjectRecommendations":true,"leadGenEnabled":true,"hideTeacherDetails":false,"schoolState":"CA","teacherPossessivePronoun":"her","PMsManager":null,"schoolGradeType":{"id":3,"name":"Middle School"},"TeacherPMForms":{},"completingDonationAmount":591,"teacherHasClassroomPhoto":true,"proposalURL":"https://www.donorschoose.org/project/january-national-puzzle-month-piecing-it/9076247/","mayHaveReplacements":false,"numStudents":65,"isEquityFocusV1":true,"teacherScreenName":"Ms. Slatoff","isEquityFocus":true,"proposalHash":"1711562685","isApplePayMobileOnly":true,"progressBarPercentage":0.00,"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"photosPublished":false,"queryString":"","DonorPMForm":null,"shouldTrackEquityFocusV2":true,"schoolCity":"Hayward","teachersOnPage":[5811781],"isTeacherViewingTheirOwnProject":false,"minimizedLeadGenEnabled":true,"proposalId":9076247,"proposalMessageFormModel":null,"numActiveProjects":1,"verifyShowPhotos":"","eligibleToBeCopied":false,"schoolId":20870,"schoolName":"Bret Harte Middle School","authorIds":{"5811781":{"owner":"Ms. Slatoff","donationSalutations":{}}},"displayedPercentFunded":0.0,"proposalsOnPage":[9076247],"pmaId":"","teacherProfilePhotoURL":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5811781_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1537395182805","teacherHasProfilePhoto":true,"currentWorkflowStatusCode":6,"teacherChallengeId":21266774,"isApplePayEnabled":true,"fundedByTarget":false,"activeProject":{"completingDonationAmount":640,"proposalURL":"project/indigenous-heritage-month-crafts-games/9794633/","proposalTitle":"Indigenous Heritage Month Crafts, Games & Jewelry","proposalId":9794633},"donorIdsForImpactPhotoCheck":[],"teacherId":5811781,"schoolCounty":"Alameda","fullyFunded":false,"isStudentLed":false,"isExpired":true,"schoolStateObj":{"code":"CA","name":"California"}}