Help me give my students a warm and welcoming return to in-person learning!
FULLY FUNDED! Mrs. Keenan's classroom raised $556
This project is fully funded
My Students
My students are currently 6th Grade Science students at a large, urban middle school in Brooklyn, NY. Many of them come from a diverse set of academic and cultural backgrounds. A majority of our students are new to the country and are learning science for the first time. They face many challenges with the language and curriculum they suddenly face here. One subject that always has the potential to reach them is science.
Science is a magical thing for my students, and helps them connect across language and ethnic barriers that may be present in other areas of their lives.
Many of these students are also economically disadvantaged, and have no chance to experience nature and the world around them outside of science class. I strive to get them out of the building and doing as many hands-on projects as possible. Their eyes always light up and they become engaged every time they do an experiment, no matter how simple or small.
Being able to find common ground over a love of chemistry, a favorite animal, or a fascination with tornadoes helps my often hesitant students work collaboratively and form bonds that carry over into other areas of their lives.
My Project
As we finally return to full-time in-person instruction, many students will be apprehensive about setting foot in a school building again. I teach 6th grade science in NYC, the first year of middle school. Many of my incoming students have not been in a classroom for over a year. They will understandably be nervous about the huge changes they will experience in the coming months.
My goal this year is to make the return to the classroom, and the start to middle school, a positive and welcoming one for my students.
I don't want them intimidated by a classroom that is so obviously "public middle school". I would like to create a safe space for them where the transition from elementary school will not be so sudden.
This project includes decor and motivational materials to let them know how truly wanted and welcome they are in our class. There are some basic school supplies that are often out of reach for the populations I teach. We will also have flexible seating and adaptive materials to help ease the stress they will surely be feeling as we return to a normalcy they have not experienced in a long time.
More than three‑quarters 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
EasyPAG Mesh Collection Desk Organizer 3 Letter Sorter with Drawer,6.5 x 5.5 x 4.25 inch,Silver
• Amazon Business
$14.79
6
$88.74
Gaiam Kids Stay-N-Play Children's Balance Ball - Flexible School Chair Active Classroom Desk Alternative Seating, Blue, Orange Junior, Lime Junior and Grey, 52cm
• Amazon Business
$67.84
1
$67.84
Charles Leonard Dry Erase Lapboard Class Pack, Includes 12 each of Whiteboards, 2 Inch Felt Erasers and Black Dry Erase Markers (35036)
• Amazon Business
$24.01
2
$48.02
20 Pack High Resistance Chair Bands, Classroom Bundle, Foot Fidgets for Kids, Fits School and Classroom Chairs, ADHD and Sensory Fidgets, Helps Kids Focus and Learn (Sky Blue)
• Amazon Business
$33.90
1
$33.90
Crayola Colored Pencils, Bulk Classpack, Classroom Supplies, 12 Assorted Colors, 240 Count, Standard
• Amazon Business
$28.75
1
$28.75
12 Pack Small Digital Kitchen Timer Magnetic Back and ON/Off Switch,Minute Second Count Up Countdown（White,Blue,Orange）
• Amazon Business
$27.99
1
$27.99
Burlap Scalloped Border Trim - Bulletin Borders Stickers, 50 ft Back-to-School Decoration Borders for Bulletin Board/Black Board Trim, Teacher/Student Use for Classroom/School Decoration
• Amazon Business
$15.96
1
$15.96
LESONG Sensory Toy for Kids 12 Pack, Fidget Toys Anxiety Relief for ADHD & Autism Children, Learning Toys for 3,4 Year Olds Shapes, Colors Preschool Educational, Bean Bags Great for Cornhole Tossing
• Amazon Business
$14.99
1
$14.99
Post-it Super Sticky Notes, 3x3 inches, 24 Pads, 2x the Sticking Power, Miami Collection, Neon Colors (Orange, Pink, Blue, Green), Recyclable(654-24SSMIA-CP)
• Amazon Business
$14.95
1
$14.95
Power Your Fun Arggh Mini Stress Balls for Adults and Kids - 3pk Squishy Stress Balls with Light, Medium, Heavy Resistances, Sensory Stress and Anxiety Relief Squeeze Toys (Yellow, Pink, Blue)
• Amazon Business
$14.95
1
$14.95
30 Pack Metallic Marker Pens, Lineon 24 Colors Fine Tip Paint Pens with 6 Stencils for DIY Craft Photo Album Rock Art Painting Card Making Glass Wood
• Amazon Business
$12.98
1
$12.98
Schoolgirl Style Industrial Chic Light Bulb Cutouts—Rustic Lights for Bulletin Board Accents, Labels, Name Tags, Party Decorations, Classroom Decor (36 pc)
• Amazon Business
$5.99
2
$11.98
Schoolgirl Style | Simply Stylish Burlap Stars and Hearts Cut-Outs | Assorted Sizes, 33pcs
• Amazon Business
$5.99
2
$11.98
Push Pin Clips - 30 Paper Clips with Pin for Documents/Artworks/School Projects/Photos/Notes/Papers/Cork Board/Bulletin Board - No Holes for The Paper
• Amazon Business
$11.96
1
$11.96
Teacher Created Resources Think Like a Scientist Mini Bulletin Board, Multi Color (4867)
• Amazon Business
$7.49
1
$7.49
Teacher Created Resources Home Sweet Classroom Positive Sayings Accents (TCR8859)
• Amazon Business
$6.99
1
$6.99
Teacher Created Resources Home Sweet Classroom Clingy Thingies Storage Pocket (TCR77879)
• Amazon Business
$5.99
1
$5.99
Confetti Positive Sayings Accents (8890)
• Amazon Business
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 Mrs. Keenan and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
{"pmaHash":"","showProjectRecommendations":true,"leadGenEnabled":true,"hideTeacherDetails":false,"schoolState":"NY","teacherPossessivePronoun":"her","PMsManager":null,"schoolGradeType":{"id":3,"name":"Middle School"},"TeacherPMForms":{},"completingDonationAmount":0,"teacherHasClassroomPhoto":true,"proposalURL":"https://www.donorschoose.org/project/welcome-back-class-of-2024/5728992/","mayHaveReplacements":true,"numStudents":120,"isEquityFocusV1":false,"teacherScreenName":"Mrs. Keenan","isEquityFocus":true,"proposalHash":"-1201261432","isApplePayMobileOnly":true,"progressBarPercentage":100.00,"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"photosPublished":false,"queryString":"","DonorPMForm":null,"shouldTrackEquityFocusV2":true,"schoolCity":"Brooklyn","teachersOnPage":[3865668],"isTeacherViewingTheirOwnProject":false,"minimizedLeadGenEnabled":true,"proposalId":5728992,"proposalMessageFormModel":null,"numActiveProjects":0,"verifyShowPhotos":"","eligibleToBeCopied":false,"schoolId":722,"schoolName":"Intermediate School 228 David A Boody","authorIds":{"3865668":{"owner":"Mrs. Keenan","donationSalutations":{}}},"displayedPercentFunded":1.0,"proposalsOnPage":[5728992],"pmaId":"","teacherProfilePhotoURL":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherHasProfilePhoto":false,"currentWorkflowStatusCode":21,"teacherChallengeId":20839851,"isApplePayEnabled":true,"fundedByTarget":false,"activeProject":null,"donorIdsForImpactPhotoCheck":[],"teacherId":3865668,"schoolCounty":"Kings (Brooklyn)","fullyFunded":true,"isStudentLed":false,"isExpired":true,"schoolStateObj":{"code":"NY","name":"New York"}}