{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Anderson Mill Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":37.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":639950,"projectId":10238019,"letterContent":"**Describe the impact**\r\n\r\nMy students absolutely love our classroom, and creating a space where they feel comfortable, welcomed, and excited to learn is something that is very important to me. I want my fourth graders to walk through the door each morning and feel like they are entering a place that belongs to them—not just a room filled with desks and textbooks. I have worked hard to create a classroom that feels updated, inviting, and \"cool\" rather than boring or institutional, and I am always looking for little additions that can make our learning environment even better.\r\n\r\nThis project will provide six cordless table lamps that will add another special element to our classroom while also giving us a practical lighting option. I plan to place one lamp in the center of each student table so that we can turn off our overhead fluorescent lights and use the softer table lighting throughout the room. This will create a warmer, calmer atmosphere while still providing enough light for students to read, write, collaborate, and complete their work.\r\n\r\nLighting can have a surprisingly significant effect on the feel of a classroom. There are times when the bright overhead lights make our room feel more like a traditional school environment, while softer lighting creates a more relaxed and inviting space. My students love when we change the lighting in our classroom, and these lamps will allow us to do that easily without sacrificing the ability to see and learn.\r\n\r\nThese lamps will be used during a variety of activities throughout the school year. We can use them during independent reading, small-group instruction, science activities, collaborative projects, writing, review games, and even quiet work time. They will give me the flexibility to change the atmosphere of our classroom depending on what students are doing. Sometimes we need bright, energetic lighting for an exciting activity, while other times a softer environment helps students settle in, focus, and engage more deeply with their work.\r\n\r\nBeyond their practical purpose, these lamps will contribute to something I value just as much: student engagement. I have found that when students enjoy the environment they are learning in, they are more excited to be there. A classroom that feels comfortable and reflects their interests can help create a positive attitude toward school. These small details communicate to students that their learning environment matters and that I care about making our classroom a place where they genuinely want to spend their day.\r\n\r\nFor my students, these lamps will become another part of what makes our classroom special. They will help create the cozy, welcoming atmosphere that my students have come to love. I can already imagine students walking into the room and noticing the lights glowing on their tables, knowing that it is time to settle in and get ready to learn.\r\n\r\nThis project will also benefit all 18 of my students throughout the entire school year. Because the lamps are cordless and rechargeable, they can be easily used around our classroom without adding cords and clutter to our learning spaces. Their portability will allow me to adjust our setup as needed and continue finding creative ways to use our classroom space.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, these lamps will help me continue building a classroom where students feel that they belong. I want my students to be excited to come to school, proud of their classroom, and eager to participate in the learning happening around them. Sometimes it is the little things that make the biggest difference.\r\n\r\nWith your support, these six lamps will do more than simply brighten our tables—they will brighten our classroom, our learning experiences, and our students' school days. They will add warmth, comfort, and personality to a classroom that my students already love. Together, we can make our classroom **SO BRIGHT!**","fullyFundedDate":1778175047796,"projectUrl":"project/so-bright/10238019/","projectTitle":"So Bright!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Burnette","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp639950_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1778176708882","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/jburnette"},{"teacherId":639950,"projectId":10242448,"letterContent":"**Describe the impact**\r\n\r\nMy fourth-grade classroom is a place where I want every student to feel comfortable, welcomed, and ready to learn. One of the ways I work to create that environment is through flexible seating. I have found that when students have choices about where and how they sit, they are often more comfortable, more focused, and more engaged in their learning. For many children, sitting at a traditional desk for an entire school day can make it difficult to maintain focus. Providing different seating options allows students to discover what works best for them while also teaching them responsibility and independence.\r\n\r\nThis project will provide two new classroom rugs and an office chair that will expand the flexible seating options available to my students. While these may seem like simple classroom items, they will have a meaningful impact on how my students learn and interact throughout the school day.\r\n\r\nThe two rugs will create comfortable spaces where students can work together during small-group instruction, collaborate with classmates, participate in whole-class activities, or simply have a different place to complete their work. Our classroom is a busy place, and having designated areas for collaboration helps students move beyond the traditional desk-and-chair setup. A comfortable floor space can make a big difference during science activities, review games, partner work, reading, and class discussions. It gives students the opportunity to gather together, share ideas, and learn from one another.\r\n\r\nThe office chair will provide another flexible seating choice for students who benefit from having a supportive, movable seat. Some students concentrate better when they have the ability to adjust their position or move slightly while working. Others simply need a change of scenery during a long school day. Having another seating option allows me to meet those individual needs without interrupting the learning environment.\r\n\r\nFlexible seating also helps me teach students important skills that extend beyond academics. Students learn to make responsible choices about where they work best. They learn that having a choice comes with the responsibility of using that choice appropriately. They learn to respect shared spaces, work cooperatively with others, and recognize what helps them become successful learners. These are valuable skills for fourth graders as they continue developing independence and preparing for the expectations of future grades.\r\n\r\nPerhaps most importantly, flexible seating helps me create a classroom that feels like a community rather than simply a room filled with desks. I want my students to walk through the door each morning and feel that our classroom is a place where they belong. A cozy rug where classmates gather to learn together or a comfortable chair where a student can settle in and focus may seem like small details, but those details help create an inviting environment where students feel safe taking academic risks, asking questions, sharing ideas, and trying again when something is difficult.\r\n\r\nThese materials will benefit my students every day, across multiple subjects and throughout the entire school year. They will support mathematics and science instruction, small-group teaching, collaborative projects, independent work, classroom discussions, and countless informal moments of learning.\r\n\r\nYour donation will help me continue building a student-centered classroom where learning is not one-size-fits-all. Instead, students will have choices, comfort, and opportunities to find the learning environment that helps them do their best. By providing these flexible seating options, you are helping me create a classroom where my students can feel at home, take ownership of their learning, and grow into confident, independent learners.","fullyFundedDate":1778160439132,"projectUrl":"project/refresh-and-renew/10242448/","projectTitle":"Refresh and Renew","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Burnette","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp639950_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1778176708882","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/jburnette"},{"teacherId":639950,"projectId":10116994,"letterContent":"**Describe the impact**\r\n\r\nEvery teacher knows that the right resource at the right time can completely change the way a student understands a difficult concept. In my fourth-grade classroom, I work hard to make learning meaningful, engaging, and accessible for every student. This is especially important this year as we navigate new South Carolina science standards that require students to learn material that is not fully covered in our current textbooks. While our textbooks provide a foundation, they simply cannot provide everything my students need to master these new standards. A Teachers Pay Teachers gift card would give me the opportunity to fill those gaps with high-quality supplemental resources specifically designed to support the standards we are expected to teach.\r\n\r\nWith this project, I am requesting two $100 Teachers Pay Teachers gift cards. These funds will allow me to select resources that directly align with our fourth-grade science standards, provide additional opportunities for practice, and help my students prepare for the SC Ready assessment. Instead of trying to make one textbook work for every lesson and every learner, I will be able to choose targeted activities that address specific concepts and provide students with multiple ways to demonstrate their understanding.\r\n\r\nOne of the things I love most about Teachers Pay Teachers is the incredible variety of resources available. I have already found so many activities that I know my students will enjoy—from hands-on science activities and interactive notebooks to review games, task cards, digital activities, escape rooms, and other engaging ways to practice important concepts. These resources allow me to take material that might otherwise feel difficult or overwhelming and turn it into something my students are excited to explore.\r\n\r\nEngagement matters because fourth grade is a pivotal year. Students are being asked to think more deeply, explain their reasoning, apply what they have learned, and make connections between concepts. I want my students to see science as something they *do*, not simply something they read about in a textbook. Supplemental resources will allow me to incorporate more opportunities for collaboration, problem-solving, discussion, movement, technology, and hands-on learning into our science instruction.\r\n\r\nThese resources will also help me differentiate instruction. Not every student learns in the same way or at the same pace. Having access to a wide variety of materials will allow me to provide additional practice for students who need it, enrichment for students who are ready for a challenge, and alternative ways of presenting information for students who need concepts explained differently. This flexibility is especially valuable in a classroom where students come to me with a wide range of academic experiences and needs.\r\n\r\nThe impact will extend beyond individual science lessons. These resources will help me create a classroom environment where students are motivated to participate, take academic risks, and continue working even when a concept is challenging. Review games and interactive activities can turn test preparation into an opportunity for students to learn from one another rather than simply complete another worksheet. When students are actively involved in their learning, they are more likely to remember what they have learned and feel confident applying that knowledge.\r\n\r\nYour support will help me provide my 19 fourth-grade students with learning experiences that go beyond the limitations of our current textbooks. A TPT gift card may seem like a simple resource, but it will give me the freedom to select materials based on the needs of my actual students and the standards they are expected to master. Most importantly, it will help me keep learning fun, purposeful, and engaging while preparing my students for success on SC Ready and beyond.\r\n\r\nWith your support, you won't just be purchasing resources—you will be helping me create more opportunities for my students to be curious, confident, and excited about learning.","fullyFundedDate":1778175048461,"projectUrl":"project/digital-resources/10116994/","projectTitle":"Digital Resources","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Burnette","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp639950_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1778176708882","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/jburnette"},{"teacherId":639950,"projectId":10171331,"letterContent":"**Describe the impact**\r\n\r\nIn my classroom, I believe that celebrating students for their hard work, kindness, perseverance, and academic growth can make a tremendous difference in how they approach school. That is why I created a monthly classroom raffle that has quickly become one of my students' favorite traditions!\r\n\r\nThroughout each month, students have many opportunities to earn raffle tickets. They can earn tickets by doing good deeds, helping a classmate, going above and beyond, winning classroom review games, or earning a 100 on a test. They can also choose to use the Dojo money they earn through our classroom reward system to purchase additional raffle tickets. This gives every student multiple ways to participate and, most importantly, allows them to take ownership of their choices and their success.\r\n\r\nOn the last day of each month, we hold our big raffle drawing. I choose a special \"big ticket\" prize, and the excitement in our classroom is incredible! Students eagerly watch as the tickets are drawn, and they absolutely love finding out what prize will be offered next. The prizes in this project include fun and unique items such as LEGO building sets, a reversible octopus plush, scented colored pencils, a karaoke microphone, a moon lamp, a jellyfish lamp, a Newton's cradle, and a fun alarm clock. These are the kinds of items that students get genuinely excited about winning because they are things they would not typically receive as a school reward.\r\n\r\nHowever, the true impact of this project goes far beyond the prizes themselves.\r\n\r\nThe raffle encourages students to make positive choices even when there is no immediate reward. They begin to recognize that kindness matters, effort matters, and perseverance matters. A student who helps someone else, works especially hard on an assignment, or keeps trying after struggling with a difficult concept knows that their positive choices can lead to something exciting at the end of the month. The raffle also gives students a reason to stay motivated during those long stretches of the school year when academic work can become challenging.\r\n\r\nOne of my favorite parts of our monthly raffle is watching the students celebrate one another. When a student wins, their classmates cheer for them and congratulate them. Instead of being disappointed that they did not win, many students are genuinely excited for their friend. This creates a classroom culture where students learn to celebrate the accomplishments of others and understand that someone else's success does not take away from their own.\r\n\r\nThe raffle also provides opportunities for students who may not always be the highest academic performers to experience success. Because tickets can be earned in many different ways, every child has an opportunity to participate. A student can earn a ticket for showing kindness, demonstrating responsibility, improving their work, helping a classmate, or simply putting forth exceptional effort. This is especially important because I want every student to feel that they have something valuable to contribute to our classroom community.\r\n\r\nThese materials will help me continue this tradition throughout the school year and provide a variety of prizes that appeal to different interests and personalities. The LEGO sets can inspire creativity and problem-solving. The science-inspired Newton's cradle can spark curiosity. The lamps and plush items provide fun choices for students who enjoy decorating their spaces or collecting unique items. The scented colored pencils offer a practical reward that students can actually use. Having a variety of prizes allows students to look forward to each month and keeps the raffle fresh and exciting.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, this project helps me teach my students that success is not just about a grade. Success can mean being kind. It can mean helping someone. It can mean working hard when something is difficult. It can mean taking a risk, trying again, or encouraging someone else.\r\n\r\nYour donation will help me continue using positive reinforcement to build motivated, kind, hardworking, and supportive students. These prizes may be small, but the excitement, encouragement, and sense of accomplishment they create in my classroom are anything but small. With your support, we can keep our monthly raffle going and give my students one more reason to come to school each day ready to learn, grow, and make a difference!","fullyFundedDate":1778175046769,"projectUrl":"project/raffle-ready/10171331/","projectTitle":"Raffle Ready!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Burnette","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp639950_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1778176708882","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/jburnette"},{"teacherId":1922230,"projectId":10102526,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your support through this donors choose project. My students are able to access more sensory friendly things within my speech therapy room, because of you. This helps my students stay regulated and ready to learn the speech language goals we are working on that day.\r\n\r\nMy students were able to stay more focused because their sensory needs were being met. Doing sensory tasks can help the brain slow down to focus and learn new things. I believe my students will be able to reach their goals and feel more supported through your gift.\r\n\r\nI appreciate your donation so much. I am so thankful for each of you and your thoughtfulness and generosity as you considered which project to donate to. It's because of people like you that teachers and therapists can get materials needed for their students.","fullyFundedDate":1778175048238,"projectUrl":"project/sensory-friendly-speech-therapy-room/10102526/","projectTitle":"Sensory-Friendly, Speech Therapy Room","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Carroll","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1922230_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1485190406611","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1922230"},{"teacherId":10189632,"projectId":10174303,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom and helping make our learning environment even more special! This project has brought so much excitement to our classroom. This year, I decided to implement flexible seating because I truly believe students learn best when they are comfortable, supported, and able to choose a learning space that works best for them. When my students first saw our new fun chair and Nugget couch, they were SO excited! They immediately wanted to try out the new seating, and it has quickly become a favorite spot for reading, working with partners, and completing independent work. It has been so sweet to watch students find the space where they feel most comfortable and focused.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has also allowed me to provide snacks for students who may forget their snack or come to school feeling hungry. I firmly believe that you cannot learn on an empty stomach, and having a little snack available helps students feel cared for and ready to learn. We also received candy and prizes that I can use to celebrate students for their hard work, kindness, and positive choices. These little rewards bring BIG smiles and help create a classroom environment where students feel motivated and appreciated.\r\n\r\nRight now, my fifth graders are continuing to grow as learners and are working hard on our current lessons and classroom projects. These new resources will continue to be a part of our everyday learning as students read, collaborate, complete assignments, and celebrate their successes. Thank you for investing in my students and helping me create a classroom where they can feel comfortable, cared for, and excited to learn. Your support truly makes a difference in our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1778175048071,"projectUrl":"project/learn-comfortable/10174303/","projectTitle":"Learn Comfortable!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Brown","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10189632_orig.jpg?crop=534,534,x215,y678&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1774609877929","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10189632"},{"teacherId":639950,"projectId":10019239,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our classroom is now a more focused and productive learning space. With a class set of headphones, every student can fully participate in iReady, DreamBox, and EdPuzzle without distractions. Instead of competing sounds, students can concentrate on their own learning, improving both engagement and understanding. The headphones have also increased independence—students no longer worry about forgetting their own and can quickly get started. This has been especially helpful for students who need a quieter environment, allowing them to stay focused and feel more confident in their work.","fullyFundedDate":1774454448226,"projectUrl":"project/are-you-listening/10019239/","projectTitle":"Are You Listening?","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Burnette","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp639950_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1778176708882","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/jburnette"},{"teacherId":4565789,"projectId":9860548,"letterContent":"Your generosity has made a meaningful impact on our classroom, and we are so grateful for your support of our DonorsChoose project. Because of your donation, our students have had access to a hydroponic planter, giving them the unique opportunity to grow plants without soil and experience science in a hands-on, engaging way. This resource has allowed them to plant seeds, observe growth up close, and develop a deeper understanding of how living things thrive in different environments. Your kindness has helped bring learning to life in a way that simply wouldn't be possible otherwise.\r\n\r\nThanks to you, our students have not only learned about plant life cycles, but also responsibility, patience, and curiosity as we have cared for the growing seedlings each day. Watching their excitement as they monitor progress and celebrate new growth is truly special. Your contribution goes far beyond supplies—you are helping to inspire future scientists, thinkers, and problem-solvers. I sincerely appreciate your investment in my students and the lasting difference you've made in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1766947935536,"projectUrl":"project/growing-minds-a-classroom-hydroponics-a/9860548/","projectTitle":"Growing Minds: A Classroom Hydroponics Adventure","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kayla Johnson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4565789_272x272.png?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1500730523859","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4565789"},{"teacherId":10335933,"projectId":9865019,"letterContent":"I hope you are doing well. I wanted to take a moment to write this letter to say thank you for your generous donation to help fund our project \"Hooked on Reading\". We received the books very quickly after being fully funded, and our students are enjoying them greatly. Many of the 5th graders have commented on how much they have enjoyed reading them.\r\n This year we started a fishing club with our 5th graders that met after school in the fall. We had 58 students join to learn some basics of bass fishing. Then the winter months came so we took a break from fishing. It was so nice to be able to provide the club members with an age-appropriate book related to fishing to keep their interest and motivation in fishing plugging along. Each club member was given a challenge to read their new book in a 3-week period. Those who met the challenge will be rewarded with an ice cream party and a chance to win a gift card to Bass Pro. \r\n These days we as educators are looking for as many ways as possible to keep students reading. There are many distractions such as cell phones and video games that compete for our students' time. Fortunately, the fishing club has sparked a new interest for many of our students. And the new books that you helped provide have helped our kids rekindle their interest in reading for pleasure. \r\n The books that you have provided will be used for years to come. Thank you for supporting our students and education. You help provide opportunities for children that they may not be able to enjoy otherwise. We are so thankful for your support. You are making a difference in the lives of our students.","fullyFundedDate":1764731669700,"projectUrl":"project/hooked-on-reading/9865019/","projectTitle":"Hooked on Reading!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Hendry","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10335933"},{"teacherId":1119239,"projectId":9857681,"letterContent":"My students were so excited to get these books for our classroom library. I have a classroom full of readers who simply do not want to put a book down. They are always reading!\r\n\r\n Thank you for supporting my classroom and my students. I have several students who are wanting to read the entire series of The Bad Guys books. You have helped them in trying to achieve this goal. \r\n\r\n I truly appreciate your generosity and dedication to education. Without donors like you, our classrooms wouldn't be nearly as full of materials!","fullyFundedDate":1767769656758,"projectUrl":"project/expanding-our-horizons-one-book-at-a-tim/9857681/","projectTitle":"Expanding Our Horizons One Book at a Time!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bolduc","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1119239_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1499364091209","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/missdefouw"},{"teacherId":639950,"projectId":9822722,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our classroom through DonorsChoose. Because of you, my students will have the opportunity to dive into an engaging and meaningful book that truly brings learning to life. I Survived the American Revolution is the perfect blend of history and storytelling, and it will help hook my students into reading while deepening their understanding of important Social Studies standards.\r\n\r\nMy students love books that connect to movies and real events, and this realistic fiction story will spark curiosity, discussion, and a genuine love for reading. Your kindness provides more than just a book—it creates excitement, builds confidence, and helps students make powerful connections to the past. I am so grateful for your support and belief in my students. Thank you for making a lasting impact on our classroom and our readers.","fullyFundedDate":1766449252967,"projectUrl":"project/its-revolutionary/9822722/","projectTitle":"It's Revolutionary!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Burnette","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp639950_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1778176708882","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/jburnette"},{"teacherId":639950,"projectId":9716662,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our DonorsChoose project and helping bring The Wild Robot into our classroom! Your generosity is giving my students the opportunity to truly dive into a meaningful and exciting book. I am always searching for ways to engage students in reading and help them develop a genuine love for books, and this story does exactly that. Students are especially motivated when a book connects to a movie they may already know, and that excitement carries over into deeper discussions about story elements, characters, and themes. Because of you, my students now have access to an engaging, high-interest book that makes reading fun and inspiring. Your support is helping build confident, enthusiastic readers, and I am so grateful for your kindness and investment in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1758561913959,"projectUrl":"project/a-wild-project/9716662/","projectTitle":"A Wild Project!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Burnette","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp639950_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1778176708882","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/jburnette"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_5995","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":656,"numTeachers":47,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":2,"percentBlack":26,"percentWhite":46,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":13,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":10,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"14.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":62.7,"schoolId":5995,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Anderson Mill Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Anderson Mill Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/south-carolina/spartanburg-school-district-6/anderson-mill-elementary-school/5995"}