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

This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Beard from Greensboro, NC is requesting lab equipment through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Ms. Beard is requesting

Fully Funded

Ms. Beard's classroom raised $512

Real and Imaginary Pets

Help me give my students some pets to learn to take care of.

This project is fully funded

Ms. Beard Western Guilford Middle School

Greensboro, NC Grades 6-8

My Project

I am an adapted special education teacher, and for the past three years my classroom has been home to a jellyfish tank that was passed down from a former science teacher. Although the jellyfish are imaginary, they have become beloved class pets and an important part of our daily routine. Students greet them each morning, say goodnight in the afternoon, and take pride in classroom jobs such as remembering to plug them in at the start of the day and unplug them before dismissal.

Recently, our jellyfish have stopped moving.

I have replaced batteries, changed the water, and tried every possible solution, but unfortunately they no longer function. This has been disappointing for my students, especially one student who faithfully says, “Good morning my jellyfish,” and “Goodnight until tomorrow,” every single day. These small moments mean everything to my students and support their communication, emotional connection, and sense of responsibility.

To continue building on this joy and learning, I would like to introduce real hermit crabs as our new classroom pets. Hermit crabs are low maintenance, safe, and ideal for a classroom setting. Caring for them will provide meaningful, hands-on learning opportunities for my students while maintaining the routines they thrive on.

Through this project, students will:

Learn responsibility by helping with daily and weekly care routines

Practice communication and social skills through greetings, observations, and shared tasks

Build independence by participating in structured classroom jobs

Develop empathy and understanding of living things

Experience consistency and comfort through predictable routines

For students with disabilities, routines and real-life experiences are powerful teaching tools. A classroom pet is more than just an animal—it becomes a way to teach life skills, language, cooperation, and emotional regulation in an authentic and engaging way.

Equity Focus

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Nearly all students from low‑income households

HBCU Alum 24 students impacted 9 donors

Project tagged as

Greensboro, NC
Grades 6-8
Science
Students with Disabilities
Traditional School
Lab Equipment
Nearly all students from low‑income households

Ms. Beard Western Guilford Middle School Grades 6-8

Celebrate Black teachers and kids! This project supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of students are Black.

Equity Focus

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Greensboro, NC View local requests

Nearly all 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

HBCU Alum 24 students impacted 9donors

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. Beard is requesting.

See our finances

TEACHERS, FEELING INSPIRED?

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

Copy this cart

Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes

Materials Cost Quantity Total

Land Hermit Crab Terrarium Habitat Kit (with voucher) • Carolina Biological Supply Company $162.36 1 $162.36

AONESY Jellyfish Lamp Light Moving, 17 Colors Changing Jelly Fish Tank Mood Lamp for Kids Adults Room Decoration, Large Giant LED Floating Jellyfish Aquarium Night Light with Remote for Christmas Gift • Amazon Business $25.99 2 $51.98

Lightahead Artificial Mini Aquarium A Sensory Multi Colored LED Swimming Fish Tank with Bubbles • Amazon Business $23.95 1 $23.95

Zoo Med Hermit Crab Mineral Blocks • Amazon Business $5.99 3 $17.97

Needzo Hermit Crab Food, Treat and Calcium Block Set, Keep Your Pet Healthy All in One Natural Supplies and Habitat Necessities for Crabs, 3 Pack • Amazon Business $14.52 1 $14.52

Zoo Med Laboratories Hermit Crab Soil, 4pk • Amazon Business $12.82 1 $12.82

Fluker's Lagoon for Hermit Crabs, Water Bowl with Steps • Amazon Business $6.24 2 $12.48

Constantia Pets Hermit Crab Real Sea Sponges - 5 Pack Unbleached, Provides Nutrients, Safer Drinking and Helps Maintain Habitat Tank Humidity • Amazon Business $12.34 1 $12.34

Hermit Crab Shells Medium and Large - 12PCS Growth Turbo Seashells Size 1.18"-3.2" for Small Medium and Large Crabs - Saltwater Hermit Crab Supplies,Natural Sea Shell Decor • Amazon Business $11.75 1 $11.75

Achieve It! A House for Hermit Crab Book By Eric Carle - Early Childhood-Elementary - Toddler • School Specialty $11.24 1 $11.24

Caring for Hermit Crabs: A 4D Book (Expert Pet Care) • Amazon Business $7.99 1 $7.99

Fluker's All Natural Premium Hermit Crab Sand Substrate, Sand Mixture with Coconut Fiber, For Hermit Crab Tanks, 6 lbs. • Amazon Business $5.84 1 $5.84

Zoo Med Hermit Crab Salt Water Conditioner • Amazon Business $4.48 1 $4.48

Materials cost			$349.72
Vendor shipping charges			$22.23
Sales tax			$27.28
3rd party payment processing fee			$5.25
Fulfillment labor & materials			$30.00
Total project cost			$434.48
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms			$76.67
Total project goal			$511.15
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal			$511.15
9 Donors			-$509.04
Donations toward project cost			-$434.48
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms			-$74.56
Excluded support for DonorsChoose			-$2.11
Still needed View calculation Hide calculation			$0.00

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

View complete list Show less

Project Activity

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. Beard and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

See how DonorsChoose works

{"pmaHash":"","showProjectRecommendations":true,"leadGenEnabled":false,"hideTeacherDetails":false,"schoolState":"NC","teacherPossessivePronoun":"her","PMsManager":null,"schoolGradeType":{"id":3,"name":"Middle School"},"TeacherPMForms":{},"completingDonationAmount":0,"teacherHasClassroomPhoto":true,"proposalURL":"https://www.donorschoose.org/project/real-and-imaginary-pets/9983207/","mayHaveReplacements":true,"numStudents":24,"isEquityFocusV1":true,"teacherScreenName":"Ms. Beard","isEquityFocus":true,"proposalHash":"519119468","isApplePayMobileOnly":true,"progressBarPercentage":100.00,"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"photosPublished":false,"queryString":"","DonorPMForm":null,"shouldTrackEquityFocusV2":true,"schoolCity":"Greensboro","teachersOnPage":[6779519],"isTeacherViewingTheirOwnProject":false,"minimizedLeadGenEnabled":false,"proposalId":9983207,"proposalMessageFormModel":null,"numActiveProjects":0,"verifyShowPhotos":"","eligibleToBeCopied":true,"schoolId":2785,"schoolName":"Western Guilford Middle School","authorIds":{"6779519":{"owner":"Ms. Beard","donationSalutations":{}}},"displayedPercentFunded":1.0,"proposalsOnPage":[9983207],"pmaId":"","teacherProfilePhotoURL":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6779519_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1669670774790","teacherHasProfilePhoto":true,"currentWorkflowStatusCode":17,"teacherChallengeId":21480674,"isApplePayEnabled":true,"fundedByTarget":false,"activeProject":null,"donorIdsForImpactPhotoCheck":[],"teacherId":6779519,"schoolCounty":"Guilford","fullyFunded":true,"isStudentLed":false,"isExpired":false,"schoolStateObj":{"code":"NC","name":"North Carolina"}}

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

This teacher needs your help!

Real and Imaginary Pets

This project is fully funded

My Project

Equity Focus

Project tagged as

Celebrate Black teachers and kids! This project supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of students are Black.

Equity Focus

Boost your odds

Top rated for efficiency and transparency.

TEACHERS, FEELING INSPIRED?

Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes

How we calculate what's needed

Project Activity

Project Activity

DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

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