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This teacher needs your help!

Mrs. Novak from Dekalb, IL is requesting educational kits & games through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Mrs. Novak is requesting

STEAM Integrated Play Based Learning Centers

Help me give my students language rich, STEAM integrated, play based learning centers.

FULLY FUNDED! Mrs. Novak's classroom raised $513

This project is fully funded

My Project

I teach 2nd Grade Two Way Dual Language in Northern Illinois. My students are working hard to become biliterate. My focus in English is science through literacy. I am working to implement play based learning (play with purpose). I am trying to create STEAM based centers that will help students increase their oracy, fluency, and writing skills.

The items I requested will be put in centers that connect STEAM learning with our science curriculum in meaningful ways.

Many of the items, such as the magnetic blocks, and wooden blocks will be used with all of our units of study.

When children play, they often imitate adult actions but also more complex adult language, especially during dramatic play and block play.

Play reduces affective filter and through intentional modeling and framing, nurtures language complexity in a safe, non-judgemental space

Receptive language, productive language, and literacy in both languages show higher gains in play-based classrooms over highly academic settings, especially for students from financially disadvantaged households.

My students are excited to keep learning about science in fun and engaging ways!

Mrs. Novak Little John 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.

Dekalb, IL 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

32 students impacted 1donor

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Teacher Created Materials - Classroom Library Collections: Biomes and Habitats - 10 Book Set - Grades 2-3 - Guided Reading Level K - P • Amazon Business $90.47 1 $90.47
Timfuis Wooden Building Blocks Set, 80 PCS Natural Wood Stacking Block Toy with Carrying Bag, Montessori Learning Birthday Gifts for 3 4 5 Year Olds Toddlers Kids Boys Girls Children • Amazon Business $32.96 2 $65.92
Kinetic Sand,Sandisfying Set with 2lbs of Sand and 10 Tools, Play Sand Sensory Toys for Kids Ages 3 and up • Amazon Business $15.98 3 $47.94
PicassoTiles 100 Piece Set 100pcs Magnet Building Tiles Clear Magnetic 3D Building Blocks Construction Playboards, Creativity Beyond Imagination, Inspirational, Recreational, Educational Conventional • Amazon Business $45.98 1 $45.98
Be Amazing! Toys Weather Science Lab - Kids Weather Science Kit with 20 All Season Science Projects - Educational STEM Science Kits for Boys & Girls - Scientific Meteorology Toys for Children Age 8+ • Amazon Business $28.38 1 $28.38
Safari Animals Figures Toys, Realistic Jumbo Wild Zoo Animals Figurines Large Plastic African Jungle Animals Playset with Elephant, Giraffe, Lion, Tiger, Gorilla for Kids Toddlers, 12 Piece Gift Set • Amazon Business $22.98 1 $22.98
82 Piece Animal Toy, Assorted Mini Dinosaur Insect Ocean Sea Animal Farm Animal Jungle Animal Dog Figure, Realistic Vinyl Plastic Zoo Play Set, Small Toys for Sensory Bin Cupcake Topper Party Favors • Amazon Business $22.98 1 $22.98
Melissa & Doug Safari Buddies Hand Puppets, Set of 6 (Elephant, Tiger, Parrot, Giraffe, Monkey, Zebra) - Soft, Plush Animal Hand Puppets For Toddlers And Kids Ages 2+ • Amazon Business $20.18 1 $20.18
Kkbestpack 20 Colors 300 Pcs Pipe Cleaners Craft Chenille Stems for Kids DIY Art Creative Craft Decorations (6 mm x 12 Inch) Assorted Colors • Amazon Business $5.85 3 $17.55
20-Piece Story Time Finger Puppets Set - Cloth Velvet Puppets - 14 Animals and 6 People Family Members • Amazon Business $16.90 1 $16.90
Carson Dellosa STEM Challenges Learning Cards, 31 pc. Stem Projects for Kids Ages 8-12, Science Kits for Kids Grades 2-5, Hands-On STEM Kit filled Space, Physical, Earth Science and More • Amazon Business $11.39 1 $11.39
Animal Habitats―Children’s Science Book About Where Animals Live, Grades 1-2 Leveled Readers, My Science Library (24 Pages) • Amazon Business $8.95 1 $8.95

Materials cost

$399.62

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$5.99

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$435.61

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$76.87

Total project goal

$512.48

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $512.48

1 Donor

-$512.48

Donations toward project cost

-$435.61

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$76.87

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. Novak and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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