{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Dakota Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":25.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9586052,"projectId":8486263,"letterContent":"When we started on the journey of this project last summer, I never imagined the impact it would have on our 6th grade students! My team teacher and I wanted to implement a unit that was multi-subjects and tied into reading, science, writing and math. We wanted to culminate the unit in our May field trip where students could put into practice what they learned.\r\n To begin, we did a Science unit on macroinvertebrates including studies of dichotomous keys and adaptations. We learned about characteristics and habitats. The students enjoyed a simulation game where some of them were 'pollution' and others were different types of macros who because of their adaptations could move in certain ways. Students had to move like their macros and get from one side of the 'pond' to the other without being tagged by 'pollution'. We discussed, afterwards, the impact of pollution and how some are tolerant and some are intolerant.\r\n Then we moved onto research for a research paper. I included the outline in my photos. Students read articles, took notes and wrote on the thesis of how water quality can be determined partly by the diversity and amount of macroinvertebrates in the water. \r\n We also made scale drawings of 'pretend' macroinvertebrates teaching students in math how to use scales and unit drawings to make larger scale drawings.\r\n Finally, during the field trip, students explored a section of a river to find different macroinvertebrates. That's where we used the materials you provided to become researchers and explore. We did find mayflies and water beetles. The students also found leopard frogs as a bonus. To say, they had the best day is an understatement. Thank you for providing what we needed to make it all happen. The memories they have will be long-lasting.","fullyFundedDate":1727562572912,"projectUrl":"project/macroinvertebrate-marvels-uncovering-t/8486263/","projectTitle":"Macroinvertebrate Marvels: Uncovering Their Ecological Importance in Aquatic Ecosystems","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kuper","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9586052"},{"teacherId":9420488,"projectId":9024161,"letterContent":"Thank you for donating to our first grade classroom library. The students are so thankful and blessed to receive new books to read, love, and bring back the next day. From the list of books you donated, students reread these titles so much because they are our favorites. As you can imagine these books will be in our library for many years. \r\n As an educator and mom, I believe reading opens the door for so many opportunities and learning experiences. The more we read, the more we know. You can never read a good book too many times. You are a big part of shaping young minds and helping our community, so thank you again!","fullyFundedDate":1744199914321,"projectUrl":"project/buzzing-about-new-books/9024161/","projectTitle":"Buzzing About New Books!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Boyer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9420488_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1718717840213","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9420488"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_25999","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":405,"numTeachers":30,"percentFrplEligible":41,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":91,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":2,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"13.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"RURAL","ncesMetroType":"RURAL_DISTANT"},"inStateSupporters":74.1,"schoolId":25999,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Dakota Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Dakota Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/dakota-community-school-district-201/dakota-elementary-school/25999"}
Join the 27 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Dakota Elementary School is
a rural public school
in Dakota, Illinois that is part of Dakota Community School District 201.
It serves 405 students
in grades Pre-K - 6 with a student/teacher ratio of 13.5:1.
Its teachers have had 7 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. Each classroom request for funding was created by a classroom teacher and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
of students receive free or reduced price lunch
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
Source: the National Center for Education Statistics
2%
of students are Black, Latino, Native
American, or Asian
Data about school demographics comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. The numbers in this chart may not add up to 100% because of limitations in the available data.
Dakota Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Dec 5, 2025
DonorsChoose makes it easy for anyone to help a teacher in need, moving us closer to a nation where students
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Dakota Elementary School
$2,757
raised using DonorsChoose
7
projects
funded
5
teachers
funded
27
donors
2
projects for
books
Dakota Elementary School has received support from
20 individuals from Illinois and
7 individuals out-of-state.