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This teacher needs your help!

Mrs. Gersten from Farmington Hills, MI is requesting educational kits & games through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Mrs. Gersten is requesting

Soft Start in Second Grade

Help me give my students STEM activities and resources for a daily Soft Start.

FULLY FUNDED! Mrs. Gersten's classroom raised $667

This project is fully funded

My Project

Help me create a Soft Start for second graders! A Soft Start is a calm, welcoming way for students to begin the day. Instead of diving straight into academics, students will be able to choose quiet activities like art, building, or game play. This helps ease the transition from home to school, reduces anxiety, and supports emotional regulation. It also builds independence, encourages a growth mindset, and strengthens classroom relationships. By starting the day in a low-pressure, positive way, students are more focused, settled, and ready to learn when our lessons begin. Please consider donating, so we can have more Soft Start resources in our classroom to set the tone for success every day!

Mrs. Gersten Hillside Elementary School Grades PreK-2 Farmington Hills, MI View local requests 25 students impacted 14donors

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
BENOKER Dinosaur Magnetic Blocks,Dino Volcano World Magnet Building Toys, Sensory Montessori Toys for STEM Learning, Toddler Gift for Boys & Girls Age 3-4 4-5 6-8 • Amazon Business $39.99 1 $39.99
30 Pack Mini Magnetic Drawing Board for Kid(6 Colors), Keychain Clip Doodle sketch Writing Pad, Toy Bulk for Toddler Rainbow Birthday Party Favor Classroom Supplies Treasure Box Prize Goody Bag Filler • Amazon Business $39.98 1 $39.98
UNO Giant • Amazon Business $30.45 1 $30.45
BENOKER 100Pcs Magnetic Blocks-Build Magnetic Blocks Forest World Set for Boys & Girls Age 3-5 6-8, STEM Sensory Toys for Toddlers Gifts for 3+ Years Old Classroom Must Haves • Amazon Business $29.99 1 $29.99
ALKISTA 48 Pcs Tetra Tower Balance Stacking Blocks Game, Board Games for 2 Players+ Family Games, Parties, Travel, Kids & Adults Team Building Blocks Toy • Amazon Business $13.99 2 $27.98
4E's Novelty 3 Pack Expandable Breathing Ball Sphere Toy - Expanding Stress Relief Breathing Ball Toys for Kids & Adults - for Anxiety, Yoga, Deep Breathing, ADHD - Neon Blue, Pink, & Green • Amazon Business $26.45 1 $26.45
OMY USA Map Giant Coloring Poster • Blick Art Materials $19.50 1 $19.50
Prang Medium Weight Construction Paper - Bright White, 12" x 18", Pkg of 50 Sheets • Blick Art Materials $3.01 6 $18.06
LEGO Classic Medium Creative Brick Box 10696 Building Toy Set - Featuring Storage, Includes Train, Car, and a Tiger Figure, and Playset for Kids, Boys, and Girls Ages 4-99 • Amazon Business $17.99 1 $17.99
Nicecho Dot Markers, Washable Dot Markers for Kids Toddlers & Preschoolers, 24 Colors Bingo Paint Daubers Marker Kit with Free Activity Book • Amazon Business $15.98 1 $15.98
Mr. Pen- Graph Paper pads 8.5 x 11 Inches, 2 Pack, 55 Sheets/Pack, 2x2 (2 Squares Per Inch), Blueprint Grid Paper Pads 8.5 x 11, Math Notebook • Amazon Business $7.98 2 $15.96
Buffalo Games - Tetris - Strategic Puzzle Game - Great for Family or Adult Game Night - Ages 8 and Up - 2 to 4 Players • Amazon Business $15.90 1 $15.90
shynek 1400 Pieces 6mm Round Glass Beads for Bracelets, 28 Colors Bracelet Beads, Glass Crystal Beads for Jewelry Making, Bracelet Making and DIY Crafts(Crackle Color) • Amazon Business $14.99 1 $14.99
Yuanhe Gaint Checkers Game Set - Large 3 in 1 Checkers Including Tic Tac Toe with Reversible Rug, Calssic Indoor Outdoor Yard Games for Family • Amazon Business $14.69 1 $14.69
Mr. Sketch Scented Marker Set - Assorted Colors, Set of 22 • Blick Art Materials $14.21 1 $14.21
Blick Essentials Tempera Paint Sticks - Set of 24 • Blick Art Materials $13.91 1 $13.91
Good Vibes Coloring Book For Teens: A Motivational and Calming Quotes Coloring Book For Teenagers With Positive Sayings and Inspirational Affirmations for Relaxing and Building Confidence • Amazon Business $6.95 2 $13.90
Crayola Colors of the World Crayons - 24-Count Multicultural Skin Tone Crayons, Set of 4 Boxes - Inclusive Coloring Supplies for Classrooms, Arts & Crafts School Supplies, Ages 3+ • Kaplan Early Learning Company $13.46 1 $13.46
10 Pack Plastic Art Trays,Activity Crafts Tray,Organizer Tray,Serving Tray for Home,School,Kids,DIY Projects,Painting,Beads (White) • Amazon Business $12.99 1 $12.99
Dr. Seuss's Oh, the Places You'll Go! Coloring Book • Blick Art Materials $12.88 1 $12.88
Tinlade 50 Pieces Anxiety Sensory Stickers Motivational Fidget Textured Strips Cute Calm Stress Relief Strips Anti Stress Tactile Rough Stickers Sensory Items for Adults Teens Desk • Amazon Business $11.99 1 $11.99
Skintone Craft Paper • Teachers' School Supply $11.99 1 $11.99
2 Pack Wooden Russian Blocks Puzzle + Hexagon Puzzles for Kids & Adults, Wooden Block Puzzle Intelligence Brain Teasers Toy Logic Game STEM Educational Gift for Children • Amazon Business $9.99 1 $9.99
VOPTON 28Large Pockets Over The Door Shoe Organizer, Hanging Shoe Organizer for Closet, Premium Clear Shoe Rack for Door, Shoes Hanger Organizers Storage Holder for Back of Door and 4Metal Hook White • Amazon Business $9.99 1 $9.99
1400pcs Letter Beads, 4x7 mm Acrylic Beads for Jewelry Making, Alphabet Beads for Bracelet Making in 28 Grid Box • Amazon Business $9.99 1 $9.99
Mental Health Coloring Book For Teens: 50 Relaxing Drawings to Color. Designed to Help Relax and Relieve Stress. Suitable for Teenagers, Adults and Kids. • Amazon Business $8.99 1 $8.99
60 Pcs Motivational Pencils Bulk, Fun Inspirational School Pencils for Classroom, Cute Wood Pencils with Encourage Positive Sayings, Back to School Supplies for Kids Student Teacher Classroom Reward • Amazon Business $8.89 1 $8.89
300 Pieces Inspirational Quote Stickers for Teens Students Teachers, Motivational Stickers for Water Bottles Women, Aesthetic Laptop Decal Waterproof Vinyl Positive Sticker for Scrapbooking • Amazon Business $8.52 1 $8.52
Crayola Colors of the World Washable Fine Line Markers - Set of 24 • Blick Art Materials $8.49 1 $8.49
Letter Stickers, Dizdkizd Small Alphabet Stickers, 1 inch Vinyl Sticker Waterproof Letters Self-Adhesive, A Set of 12 Sheets, 960 Characters, 12-Color • Amazon Business $7.87 1 $7.87
Classroom Timers for Teachers Kids Large Magnetic Digital Timer 2 Pack Blue White • Amazon Business $6.97 1 $6.97
Crayola Colors of The World Markers (24 Count), Skin Tone Markers for Kids, Coloring Book Supplies, Skin Colored Markers, Gifts for Kids • Amazon Business $5.67 1 $5.67
Crayola Metallic Crayons, Assorted Colors, Set of 24 • School Specialty $4.34 1 $4.34
Amaney 0.5mm Elastic String, Stretchy Bracelet String Crystal String Bead Cord for Bracelet, Beading and Jewelry Making White • Amazon Business $3.56 1 $3.56

Materials cost

$526.51

Vendor shipping charges

 $1.75

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$7.90

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$566.16

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$99.91

Total project goal

$666.07

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $666.07

12 Donors

-$484.99

Donations toward project cost

-$421.24

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$63.75

Matching donations from our partners

-$170.50

Match offers toward project cost

-$144.92

Match offers to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$25.58

Excluded support for DonorsChoose

-$10.59

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

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

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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 Mrs. Gersten and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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