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This teacher needs your help!

Mrs. Laws from Nashua, NH is requesting art supplies through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Mrs. Laws is requesting

Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us

Help me give my students play sand, air-dry clay, paint and other items so that everyone has the chance to explore their creative potential and strengthen their developing brains through the power of art.

  • $1,300 goal

This project expired on November 6, 2025.

Every donation to this project is matched 2X!
2X
Donations doubled!

This project expired on November 6, 2025.

My Project

Recent research highlighted in "Your Brain on Art" shows that engaging with the arts is not only enriching—it is neurologically transformative. According to Magsamen and Ross: “Arts experiences shape our neurobiology. They improve brain function, emotional regulation, memory, and even immune response.”

For middle school students, a group especially vulnerable to anxiety, stress, and identity challenges, the arts offer a natural and effective remedy.

The book emphasizes that: “When students participate in the arts, they are more likely to stay in school, succeed academically, and graduate.”

Many of our students are coming to school with much greater needs than they have in the past. These needs impact their ability to focus, be present and be ready to learn. As a result, teachers are struggling in the classroom.

Our goals are:

1. Enhanced Emotional Regulation and Well-being

Students develop the ability to express and process their emotions through artistic activities, helping reduce stress, anxiety, and behavioral challenges common in adolescence.

2. Strengthened Creativity and Cognitive Flexibility

Through regular creative practice, students build neural pathways that improve problem-solving, abstract thinking, and adaptability—skills linked to long-term academic and life success.

3. Increased Empathy and Social Connection

Collaborative art projects and shared experiences foster a sense of belonging, community, and empathy, helping students understand and appreciate diverse perspectives.

4. Boosted Confidence and Self-Esteem

As students create and reflect on their work, they gain confidence in their own voice and abilities, which supports identity formation during a critical developmental stage.

5. Lifelong Engagement with the Arts

The club instills an appreciation for the arts not just as a hobby, but as a powerful tool for personal growth and well-being throughout life.

This group, led by a social worker and art teacher, will support our most vulnerable students by incorporating social emotional learning into art projects/education.

Mrs. Laws Pennichuck Middle School Grades 6-8

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.

Nashua, NH View local requests

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

100 students impacted

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Expand the "Where your donation goes" section below to see exactly what Mrs. Laws is requesting.

See our finances

TEACHERS, FEELING INSPIRED?

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

Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Relevant Play Kinetic Sand© 11.02 lbs. - Tan • Nasco $40.24 4 $160.96
Crayola Air-Dry Clay, 5 Pound Bucket, White • School Specialty $13.27 6 $79.62
Golden Paintworks Mural and Theme Acrylic Paint - Carbon Black, 128 oz, Bucket • Blick Art Materials $73.17 1 $73.17
Fuutreo 1500 Sheets Construction Paper Bulk, 11.4'' x 7.9'' Lightweight School Art Supplies Colored Construction Paper for Kids Drawing, Classroom Decor, Office Printing, DIY Craft, 10 Colors • Amazon Business $59.99 1 $59.99
Assorted Acrylic Felt Pack • Nasco $4.04 13 $52.52
Ribbon Remnants - Pkg. of 25 yds. • Nasco $4.04 13 $52.52
Fluffy Feathers - Pkg. of Approx. 170 • Nasco $3.16 16 $50.56
Cindeer 12 Pack Flat Paint Brush 1 Inch Small Wide Acrylic Brushes Bulk Artist Painting Tool for Acrylic Watercolor Oil Crafts Face Body Art Supplies • Amazon Business $8.99 5 $44.95
More Than Peach: Multicultural and Rainbow COLORED PENCILS Bundle (skin color art supplies, inclusive art therapy) • DonorsChoose Featured Favorites $8.00 5 $40.00
Do-A-Dot Art Metallic Shimmer Paint Dot Markers - Set of 6 • Kaplan Early Learning Company $19.76 2 $39.52
Words of Art Game • Blick Art Materials $37.50 1 $37.50
Crayola Colors of the World Markers - Set of 24 • Blick Art Materials $8.66 4 $34.64
Creativity Street Wooden Paint Brush Stand, Holds 24 Brushes, 5 x 8-1/4 Inches - Durable • School Specialty $33.67 1 $33.67
Crayola Colors of the World Washable Project Paint, 2 Ounce Bottles, Assorted Colors, Set of 10 • School Specialty $8.02 4 $32.08
VersaChalk Wet Erase Liquid Chalk Markers - Neon Colors, 5 mm, Set of 8, Bold Tip • Blick Art Materials $14.94 2 $29.88
Brass Monkey Drawing From Memory Game • Blick Art Materials $24.00 1 $24.00
Golden Paintworks Mural and Theme Acrylic Paint - Pyrrole Red, 16 oz, Jar • Blick Art Materials $23.04 1 $23.04
Krylon Chalkboard Paint - Brush On, Black, 32 oz can • Blick Art Materials $21.22 1 $21.22
Golden Paintworks Mural and Theme Acrylic Paint - Ultramarine Blue, 16 oz, Jar • Blick Art Materials $18.84 1 $18.84
Golden Paintworks Mural and Theme Acrylic Paint - Phthalo Green (Blue Shade), 16 oz, Jar • Blick Art Materials $18.84 1 $18.84
Golden Paintworks Mural and Theme Acrylic Paint - Hansa Yellow Opaque, 16 oz, Jar • Blick Art Materials $18.84 1 $18.84
Golden Paintworks Mural and Theme Acrylic Paint - Daylight Blue, 16 oz, Jar • Blick Art Materials $18.84 1 $18.84
Professor Puzzle Cat Café & Dog Park 500 Piece Puzzle • Blick Art Materials $16.99 1 $16.99
Sharpie Permanent Marker Fine Tip Assorted 12/Pack (30075/30072) • Staples $8.49 2 $16.98
Golden Paintworks Mural and Theme Acrylic Paint - Burnt Umber, 16 oz, Jar • Blick Art Materials $14.63 1 $14.63
Crayola Kid's Markers Broad Line Assorted Colors 10/Pack (58-7722) • Staples $3.19 4 $12.76
Blots Card Game • Blick Art Materials $11.99 1 $11.99
KTOJOY 6” 100 Pcs Colored Jumbo Wooden Craft Sticks Wooden Popsicle Colored Craft Sticks Stick 3/4”Wide Treat Sticks Ice Pop Sticks for DIY Crafts，Home Art Projects, Classroom Art Supplies • Amazon Business $5.99 1 $5.99

Materials cost

$1,044.54

Vendor shipping charges

 $14.54

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$15.67

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$1,104.75

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$194.96

Total project goal

$1,299.71

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. Laws and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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