My students need fidget toys, puzzles, and stress balls to support their focus and classroom learning, and educational puzzles to support problem solving, collaboration, and brain development.
FULLY FUNDED! Ms. Freeman's classroom raised $255
This project is fully funded
My Students
Learning biology isn't easy. Some say it is the equivalent of learning a new language- hundreds of words to memorize and complex processes to understand. To successfully learn biology, students must visualize these words and processes and be able to use them to solve real world problems.
My 10th grade biology students have diverse learning needs.
They are high-energy and strong-willed. They speak multiple languages. Many have learning disabilities. They are involved in their communities. They stay after school for help and they want to succeed.
My students are mostly African American and Latino kids who come from a high poverty urban area and attend a small public school that focuses on developing leadership skills and college readiness. Most students arrive at high school without strong literacy skills. Struggling to read and write has a direct effect on how successful students feel about learning science--that is to say, students are often intimidated by complex texts and give up rather than struggle with hard science concepts. In this century, the United States needs more young people ready to tackle the difficult problems with science. Career opportunities abound if we can peak student interest and make science accessible.
My Project
It is my job to make science relevant. I want to help students understand that science is not a body of facts, it is a way of knowing about the world. I want students to feel comfortable looking at new scientific information and evaluating it alongside what they already know. Before you can make evaluations and problem solve, you need a body of knowledge. I seek to engage students in learning and understanding a great deal of relevant scientific information. As such, I must recognize that students have different learning needs and styles. Fidget toys/ stress balls allow students to make decisions about what they need to focus successfully. Being able to occupy your hands helps many concentrate on a flood of new information or eliminate external stress. Educational puzzles are also important during breaks in academics or downtime after an exam. Puzzles allow students to use their brains and problem solving skills as they build supportive relationships with their peers and with me.
When I was in college, I used to knit during lectures where I didn't take notes.
I wanted to stay alert in class, but I had to keep my hands moving so my mind wouldn't wander. My professor gave me dirty looks. He thought I was distracted. Your donation will support a new body of research and experience, which shows that using fidget toys and puzzles in the classroom refocuses student attention to class topic material to create a productive, focused, collaborative, classroom environment.
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
Large Wooden 3D Puzzle 4-Pack Mental Brainteaser #2
• Amazon Business
$39.99
1
$39.99
4 Pull and Stretch Stress Relief Bounce Ball Red, Blue, Green, Orange, 4E's Novelty®
• Amazon Business
$11.89
2
$23.78
#1 Fidget Toy for Adults ★ Double Digit Focus Fidgets (Pack of 10) ★ Fidget Toys Reduce Stress & Increase Focus at Work, Home, or the Classroom ★ Helps Children, Kids & Adults with ADHD/ADD or Anxiety
• Amazon Business
$19.97
1
$19.97
Brainwright Cat Stax, The Perfect Puzzle
• Amazon Business
$9.88
2
$19.76
Brainwright Flexi Cube, The Bendy Stretchy 3D Puzzle
• Amazon Business
$8.77
2
$17.54
Tangle Jr. Original Fidget Toy, Set of 3
• Amazon Business
$8.39
2
$16.78
Flexi Puzzle
• Amazon Business
$7.40
2
$14.80
Fun Express Farm Animal Relaxable Balls (1 Dozen)
• Amazon Business
$13.09
1
$13.09
Fun Central AU200 Zoo Animals Squeeze Stress Ball - 12ct
• Amazon Business
$9.99
1
$9.99
The Diamond Cube
• Amazon Business
$7.95
1
$7.95
Materials cost
$183.65
Vendor shipping charges
FREE
Sales tax
$0.00
3rd party payment processing fee
$2.75
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$216.40
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$38.19
Total project goal
$254.59
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$254.59
6 Donors
-$217.82
Donations toward project cost
-$186.65
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
-$31.17
match offer
-$35.00
Match offer toward project cost
-$29.75
Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
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. Freeman and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
