{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Creative Montessori Academy","outOfStateSupporters":25.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9709847,"projectId":9243795,"letterContent":"Since I have started teaching four years ago (and even prior through non-classroom positions), I have found it difficult to get students to sit, settle, and engage in books. I have tried different systems, competitions, and even downright begging for students to just read. No assignment attached, no reading logs, and in reverse having accountability in completing questions and parents signing off on minutes read outside of the classroom. I was desperate to show my class that reading does not have to be a chore, to show the doors that it can open, but nothing was working. Until the deliveries of books came...\r\n\r\nLooping with my students, getting to know them, and with the barest minimum of sleuthing, I was able to create a list of more relatable or \"cool\" books that the class was talking about and submitted my first project on Donors Choose. When I started to unpack the books from the boxes, I just about had to fend off a horde of students as they were trying to grab the new books. I have never seen them act this way over a physical book before. I knew I still needed to scan them into our library system and get them on our classroom shelves before the students were really able to starting reading them, but that did not stop the students from creating their own sign out / wait list for the books! I was in absolute shock.\r\n\r\nReceiving the books at the end of the summer was able to give me time to get the books proceeded and put out just in time for summer school, where I was teaching our 6th and 7th graders (soon to be 7th and 8th graders) for the entire month of July. Some of these students were my own and some I was meeting for the first time. On the very first day of our summer session, my students were already asking about checking out some of the books. And was I so ready to let them. In their free moments, I caught even the new students checking out the newly set up library, selecting a book, and going off to a corner of the classroom to read. Even now, over a month into the new school year, I have these middle school students coming into my room asking to check out the next book in their series, or starting a new one.\r\n\r\nStarting off the new school year with my own students, I was slightly nervous on if the new incoming students would like the books just as much as my returning students. Every year, I do a \"Book Tasting\" event to help students find genres and texts they may like to read, while exposing them to books them might not have selected themselves for whichever reasons. This was the perfect activity to debut these beautiful books. As I previously stated, I loop with my class for 2-3 years, so some of my students are aware of this kick-off event, but I also know how painful it was to spark their enthusiasm in participating. \r\n\r\nI had one particular student, one who has had a past of struggling to read even some of the most beginning of chapter books or wouldn't even attempt at fake reading, actually select (and have now completed) 3 100+ paged books. Every Tuesday and Friday during are scheduled silent, independent reading time, I would see this student RUSH to go grab his book to read. Even had his aunt messaging me asking for the book title to look up similar books to buy him for his birthday.\r\n\r\nThis is the very thing I wanted to accomplish these past few years. I true love and enjoyment of reading. While I still have to poke at some students to make sure they have their book or give them a look during silent reading because they are goofing off (we are still searching for their perfect fit), I cannot stress how much of a different mood my students have towards reading. This has not only reflected in their independent reading, but in their class work as well. I don't have a chorus of groans when we start new stories for closed-reading, or when the receive a reading assignment for social studies. \r\n\r\nAll the long rambling is to say, I don't think I could truly express my thanks for this incredibly generous donations. It has sparked a new generation of readers in my classroom and I cannot wait to continue to grow this flame.","fullyFundedDate":1746463094159,"projectUrl":"project/pages-for-progress-promoting-diversity/9243795/","projectTitle":"Pages for Progress: Promoting Diversity and Mental Health","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Samantha","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9709847_orig.jpg?crop=2328,2328,x72,y208&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1737240045667","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9709847"},{"teacherId":9266983,"projectId":9187711,"letterContent":"My students are loving the hands on letter activities. The well made wooden puzzles allows them to feel in 3d the shape of each letter. This added support helps them identify the differences between a d and a b. They are gaining strength in all areas of their decoding skills. I look forward to continuing their reading journey supported by your generous donation.\r\n We also are using our listening tubes to sound out cvc words. This allows the students to practice on their own their decoding skills.","fullyFundedDate":1746672510231,"projectUrl":"project/crack-the-code/9187711/","projectTitle":"Crack the Code!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Bryson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9266983_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1729287495889","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9266983"},{"teacherId":9990713,"projectId":9227048,"letterContent":"Thank you for your support. This project has been so fun and rewarding for my students. We saw a need for our school restrooms to be better. There was a huge issue with students destroying the restrooms. Each day new inappropriate words and drawings were happening on the stalls. The restroom would be closed for cleaning many times throughout the day, making it inconvenient for those that know/knew how to use the restroom appropriately. My class saw this an opportunity to make a change and try to help the current problem. They believed that if they made the restrooms a bit more beautiful and fun that maybe some of the negative behaviors would stop. \r\nWe got right to work coming up with designs and working hard on making them come to life. All the hard work seemed to have paid off because the writing on the stalls has become very minimal and the students were so excited that so many people complimented their idea and project. We hope to continue adding paintings in other restrooms throughout the school this year. Again THANK YOU for your support. They could not have completed this without the help of you!","fullyFundedDate":1744483600959,"projectUrl":"project/school-bathroom-murals/9227048/","projectTitle":"School Bathroom Murals","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kristen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9990713"},{"teacherId":9338531,"projectId":9293465,"letterContent":"This project went funding snacks for our care closet. The care closet was created by a kindergarten classroom as their project based learning two years ago. This year we expended to keeping a full stack of uniforms, snacks, hygiene, and so much more. These snacks are used daily for kids that forget a snack, parents cannot afford snacks, homeless youth, and sometimes even to help reduce behaviors. Since receiving the snacks we have worked our way through most of them and I'm so grateful we have been able to help our hungry kids.","fullyFundedDate":1746786144167,"projectUrl":"project/snacking-through-our-care-closet/9293465/","projectTitle":"Snacking Through Our Care Closet","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lindsay","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9338531_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1726400651531","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9338531"},{"teacherId":9266983,"projectId":9111432,"letterContent":"Thank yo so much for providing our class with materials to create various art creations. We have been able to creat bookmarks forour Mother's on Mothers day by using the yarn and pom poms. Our students love to share gifts that they have made which show off the art skills they have acquired in kindergarten such as cutting with scissors and writing a sentence.\r\n We have also created a collage center which allows our students to freely express themselves using the multi media supplies which we3re donated. Thiws center helps our students connect with others and to process their feelings. We received enough supplies to complete many art projects for the rest of the school year.\r\n Thank you again for thinking of us.","fullyFundedDate":1741703721871,"projectUrl":"project/express-yourself-creatively/9111432/","projectTitle":"Express Yourself Creatively","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Bryson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9266983_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1729287495889","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9266983"},{"teacherId":9989905,"projectId":9243706,"letterContent":"I am thrilled to share how my students and I have been utilizing the new resources in our classroom. These materials have already made a significant impact on our learning environment . The students were fully engaged, asking insightful questions and demonstrating a deeper understanding of the concepts. Seeing their enthusiasm and curiosity grow has been incredibly rewarding.\r\n\r\nWhen my students first saw the materials, their reactions were priceless. They were eager to explore and immediately began brainstorming ways to incorporate them into their learning. The excitement in the room was palpable, and it was clear that these resources would inspire creativity and collaboration. Their enthusiasm reaffirmed how valuable your support is in shaping their educational experiences.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we are continuing to build on this momentum. Our next steps involve is panting the seeds. This will allow them to deepen their understanding and develop critical thinking skills. Your generosity has provided them with the tools to dream bigger and achieve more, and I cannot thank you enough for your support. I look forward to sharing more updates as our journey continues!","fullyFundedDate":1744389695674,"projectUrl":"project/green-house-2/9243706/","projectTitle":"Green House 2","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Fouani","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9989905"},{"teacherId":9989905,"projectId":9223572,"letterContent":"I am thrilled to share how my students and I have been utilizing the new resources in our classroom. These materials have already made a significant impact on our learning environment. The students were fully engaged, asking insightful questions and demonstrating a deeper understanding of the concepts. Seeing their enthusiasm and curiosity grow has been incredibly rewarding.\r\n\r\nWhen my students first saw the materials, their reactions were priceless. They were eager to explore and immediately began brainstorming ways to incorporate them into their learning. The excitement in the room was palpable, and it was clear that these resources would inspire creativity and collaboration. Their enthusiasm reaffirmed how valuable your support is in shaping their educational experiences.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we are continuing to build on this momentum. Our next steps involve planting and taking care of the flowers and vegetables that we planted.. This will allow them to deepen their understanding and develop critical thinking skills. Your generosity has provided them with the tools to dream bigger and achieve more, and I cannot thank you enough for your support. I look forward to sharing more updates as our journey continues!","fullyFundedDate":1743975241011,"projectUrl":"project/creativity/9223572/","projectTitle":"Creativity","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Fouani","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9989905"},{"teacherId":6954700,"projectId":8934440,"letterContent":"Our class is forever grateful for your support in funding flex seating and noise cancelling headphones that help students keep their eyes on the prize even when things get noisy! We have a classroom of 25 3rd and 4th graders, and while partner and group work is essential for team building and collaborating skills, it can be noisy in one room! We did an unboxing day and students were overjoyed when they saw all of the gifts that you provided them with. Students who struggle with focusing during morning meeting can ask for a wobble stool or flex chair, or if they are overstimulated they can grab a set of headphones from the wall to help keep them calm and clear-headed.","fullyFundedDate":1739374007065,"projectUrl":"project/inclusive-tools-for-neurodivergent-stude/8934440/","projectTitle":"Inclusive tools for neurodivergent students","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hopkins","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6954700_orig.jpg?crop=479,479,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1659553449268","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6954700"},{"teacherId":9338531,"projectId":9049935,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the amazing donation of legos! My kids have loved using them during our small group activities and teaching teamwork. I have used them with kids to help calm and regulate their emotions, working together by separating Lego's into color baggies and having the kids need to ask each other for pieces to create their art, and many other ways. I have also used them as a reward system for students that need a daily/weekly sticker chart to help with their behaviors. \r\n\r\nThe kids are loving the gear legos and it's fun to watch them have to follow directions to figure out what to do next. What a great set!","fullyFundedDate":1739374006507,"projectUrl":"project/legos-for-teaching-social-skills/9049935/","projectTitle":"LEGOs for Teaching Social Skills","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lindsay","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9338531_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1726400651531","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9338531"},{"teacherId":9266983,"projectId":8950046,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for blessing our classroom. The students were blown away when they saw the comfortable chairs table and pillows for our classroom.\r\n At times. There is a lineup to take a seat in our cozy corner. Currently our students take turns taking a break from the hustle and puzzle of a busy kindergarten classroom. They sit and take a moment for peace or chat with our friend in a secluded spot within our learning environment. It has helped to foster relationships within our room. Friendships have begun to blossom as a result.","fullyFundedDate":1739374004781,"projectUrl":"project/a-cozy-corner/8950046/","projectTitle":"A Cozy Corner","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Bryson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9266983_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1729287495889","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9266983"},{"teacherId":9338531,"projectId":8782875,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping me fund this project. The classrooms have loved having these games as a reward for meeting their PBIS goals! Not only is this used as a reward but little do the kids know, they are continuing to learn their SEL skills while using board games! As a social worker, one of my favorite tools to use with kids is games because not only do they have to work together, learn to win and loose, but they working on their stress tolerance skills. We all have to learn how to win and loose appropriately in life and this is a great way to work on these skills. The kids of all ages have enjoyed the legos so much that I'm making another project just for more legos! Again thank you for supporting this project!","fullyFundedDate":1729871003283,"projectUrl":"project/game-cart/8782875/","projectTitle":"Game Cart","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lindsay","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9338531_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1726400651531","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9338531"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_44510","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":759,"numTeachers":36,"percentFrplEligible":85,"percentAsian":3,"percentBlack":30,"percentWhite":38,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":21,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"21.1:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":75.0,"schoolId":44510,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Creative Montessori Academy on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Creative Montessori Academy","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/michigan/-county-run-/creative-montessori-academy/44510"}