{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Joaquin Miller Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":9.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9651125,"projectId":9748957,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous donation, the new hula hoops have already had a huge impact on our students! They've been incorporated into a variety of activities that promote agility, coordination, and teamwork. From fitness challenges to throwing stations, the hoops and accessories are helping students build motor skills while having fun. \r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we plan to continue using the hula hoops in a variety of physical education activities. Your donation is helping to create a dynamic, inclusive environment where students can build confidence and develop a lifelong love for movement. Thank you for making this possible!","fullyFundedDate":1758733635619,"projectUrl":"project/hoops-of-possibility-active-play-for-al/9748957/","projectTitle":"Hoops of Possibility: Active Play for All","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hentges","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9651125_orig.jpg?crop=979,979,x192,y4&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1723651503056","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9651125"},{"teacherId":7939045,"projectId":9557914,"letterContent":"I'll be honest, I was a little intimidated by these super cool digital microscopes at first. I am not tech savvy myself. Thankfully my students are more tech savvy than I am and figured them out in no time. They had so much fun exploring the world around them. They were zooming in on insects, on fabrics, and even their own fingers and scalps! They took pictures using the integrated memory card so if they wanted to make a science fair project out of this, they could. These digital microscopes are educational and fun. They make kids want to explore and learn. Thank you so much for this opportunity.","fullyFundedDate":1755056634687,"projectUrl":"project/zoom-into-science/9557914/","projectTitle":"Zoom Into Science!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Nelson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7939045_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y216&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754934571399","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrnelsonscienceteacher"},{"teacherId":3565041,"projectId":9265161,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous contributions to this project. You helped provide materials that my students are using daily to engage in learning. \r\n\r\nMy students use whiteboards daily in math and phonics lessons. We go through many dry erase markers and erasers as we do our work each day. Your donation has helped reduce the amount of time students spend looking for materials or replacing materials that no longer work. Thank you!\r\n\r\nWe also use our pre-sharpened pencils and our book bags every day. Your donation has helped my students stay organized and ready to learn.","fullyFundedDate":1746787344046,"projectUrl":"project/new-grade-level-new-needs/9265161/","projectTitle":"New Grade Level, New Needs","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Oliver","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3565041_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1502756164288","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3565041"},{"teacherId":7939045,"projectId":9750321,"letterContent":"When the fossil dig kits arrived, my students could hardly contain their excitement. The moment they learned that each of them would get to dig for a real fossil, the classroom buzzed with curiosity and wonder. Armed with brushes and tools, they carefully chipped away at their dig blocks, eagerly uncovering ancient treasures. The joy on their faces when they found shells, bones, and plant imprints was priceless — they truly felt like real paleontologists discovering pieces of Earth's history.\r\n\r\nThis project made science come alive for my students in a way that books alone never could. They practiced patience, focus, and scientific observation as they worked through the excavation process. It was amazing to hear them make connections to lessons about fossils, extinction, and how scientists learn about the past from what's left behind. Because of this project, I was able to teach inquiry-based science that encouraged hands-on exploration, teamwork, and critical thinking.\r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity through DonorsChoose, my students didn't just learn about fossils — they experienced the thrill of discovery for themselves. Our next step is to study the types of fossils they found and create a classroom fossil museum to share what we've learned with others. Your support made this unforgettable learning adventure possible!","fullyFundedDate":1758748823678,"projectUrl":"project/little-paleontologists-hands-on-fossil/9750321/","projectTitle":"Little Paleontologists: Hands-On Fossil Fun","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Nelson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7939045_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y216&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754934571399","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrnelsonscienceteacher"},{"teacherId":7939045,"projectId":8609442,"letterContent":"When our new stream table arrived, my students were immediately curious and excited to explore how water shapes the land. As soon as we set it up, they began experimenting — building mountains, carving river channels, and watching in awe as erosion and deposition transformed their landscapes in real time. The stream table turned abstract Earth science concepts into something they could see and touch, helping them understand how rivers carry sediment from the mountains all the way to the Bay.\r\n\r\nWe've used the stream table to model weathering, erosion, and deposition, connecting what we see in class to the real world around us. Students made predictions, tested ideas, and observed how changes in slope or water flow affected their results — true hands-on science! The conversations it sparked were amazing, with students asking thoughtful questions and making connections to local landforms and watersheds.\r\n\r\nThanks to your generous support through DonorsChoose, my students are learning like real scientists — observing, experimenting, and reflecting. Our next step is to use what we've learned from the stream table to create models and explanations of how California's landscape formed over time. Your contribution has truly helped make science come alive in our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1723702459894,"projectUrl":"project/hands-on-stem-learning-stream-tables/8609442/","projectTitle":"Hands-On STEM Learning: Stream Tables!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Nelson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7939045_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y216&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754934571399","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrnelsonscienceteacher"},{"teacherId":7939045,"projectId":9606321,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our hands-on clay project for science class! Your generous donation made it possible for my students to learn through creativity and exploration. They were so excited to use real clay to model scientific concepts — from forming landforms and fossils to exploring the layers of the Earth. Getting their hands messy while learning made the lessons come alive in a way that reading or pictures simply couldn't.\r\n\r\nBecause of your kindness, my students were able to express their understanding of science through art, teamwork, and imagination. They took great pride in shaping and explaining their projects, and it was wonderful to see how much confidence and curiosity it inspired. Thank you for helping bring meaningful, tactile learning experiences into our classroom — your contribution truly made a lasting difference for these young scientists and creators.","fullyFundedDate":1755730082133,"projectUrl":"project/shaping-science-learning-earth-science/9606321/","projectTitle":"Shaping Science: Learning Earth Science Through Clay","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Nelson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7939045_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y216&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754934571399","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrnelsonscienceteacher"},{"teacherId":4218531,"projectId":9367281,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous contributions to our new Joaquin Miller art classroom and maker space! While I am currently out on parental leave, I've been enjoying seeing updates about what students have been up to in there. Our students have been having a blast and making beautiful creations that already adorn the hallways of our school. Setting up a new art room\r\n from scratch was no small task - your donations made it possible to start the year off strong, with all the amazing supplies our young artists deserve. Thank you!!","fullyFundedDate":1754424051187,"projectUrl":"project/art-makerspace/9367281/","projectTitle":"Art & Makerspace","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ziesing","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4218531_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1521525666594","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4218531"},{"teacherId":7939045,"projectId":9599248,"letterContent":"When the fossil dig kits arrived, my students could hardly believe they were going to be real paleontologists. The excitement in the room was contagious—students immediately grabbed their tools, leaned in close, and began carefully brushing away the sediment. One of the best moments was hearing a 4th grader exclaim, \"I found a shark tooth!\" and then proudly explain to their classmates how fossils can tell us about animals that lived long ago.\r\n\r\nEvery 3rd, 4th, and 5th grader at our school has now had the chance to experience the thrill of discovery. These kits turned our science lessons into true adventures, sparking conversations, teamwork, and so many curious questions. \r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, my students aren't just reading about paleontology—they're living it!","fullyFundedDate":1757564369786,"projectUrl":"project/prehistoric-pioneers/9599248/","projectTitle":"Prehistoric Pioneers","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Nelson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7939045_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y216&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754934571399","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrnelsonscienceteacher"},{"teacherId":7939045,"projectId":9599657,"letterContent":"Thanks to the DonorsChoose Community, our classroom is now filled with excitement and curiosity thanks to our new binoculars and bird ID cards. Students have eagerly trained their binoculars on robins, finches, and sparrows, then flipped through the ID cards to discover each bird's name and behavior—sparking joy, focus, and a deeper connection with nature. \r\nWe've already begun a bird-spotting journal, and next, students will map their sightings, write descriptive observations, and turn this into a cross-curricular exploration of science and writing. Your support has truly helped our young learners grow into confident, curious naturalists—thank you!","fullyFundedDate":1755747434050,"projectUrl":"project/wings-feathers-and-wonder/9599657/","projectTitle":"Wings, Feathers, and Wonder!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Nelson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7939045_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y216&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754934571399","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrnelsonscienceteacher"},{"teacherId":7939045,"projectId":9599060,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our mineral and rock sets and the globe! Your gift has brought Earth science to life in our classroom.\r\n\r\nStudents recently explored the specimens—holding quartz, mica, and basalt up to magnifying glasses—then located the rocks' regions of origin on the globe. Their excitement was infectious; one child whispered, \"Are we really holding a rock from a volcano?\" as they located it across the globe.\r\n\r\nNext up, we're mapping more rock formations: students will chart where different types are found, create illustrated \"rock origin\" posters, and present their findings during our Rock Exploration Day—tying geography and geology together in a fun, hands-on way.","fullyFundedDate":1755742814264,"projectUrl":"project/rock-solid-learning-from-minerals-to-mo/9599060/","projectTitle":"Rock Solid Learning: From Minerals To Mountains","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Nelson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7939045_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y216&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754934571399","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrnelsonscienceteacher"},{"teacherId":7939045,"projectId":9569161,"letterContent":"When the new gardening and composting supplies arrived, my students were so excited to get started. For many of them, it was their first time using real tools and planting seeds, and they couldn't wait to see what would grow. \r\n\r\nThese materials have made science hands-on and meaningful. Instead of just reading about plants and soil, my students are actively caring for a garden, observing plant growth, and discovering how compost turns \"trash\" into something valuable. Students who are often quiet in the classroom have been eager to help, and it's been wonderful to see their confidence grow.\r\n\r\nNext, we'll be measuring plant growth and tracking how compost improves the soil. Thanks to your support, my students are learning responsibility, teamwork, and the importance of caring for the environment.","fullyFundedDate":1755709701198,"projectUrl":"project/nurturing-soil-nurturing-students/9569161/","projectTitle":"Nurturing Soil, Nurturing Students","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Nelson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7939045_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y216&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754934571399","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrnelsonscienceteacher"},{"teacherId":7939045,"projectId":9552817,"letterContent":"When the magnet sets arrived, my students could hardly wait to explore them. The colorful wands and magnetic marbles turned our classroom into a science lab, and students immediately began testing everything they could find to see what would stick. Their excitement was contagious, and even students who are usually more hesitant to join in were fully engaged.\r\n\r\nThese new resources have made learning about magnetism come alive. Instead of just reading about invisible forces, my students can feel and see them in action—whether it's racing magnetic marbles through a maze, testing how many paperclips a wand can hold, or discovering that magnets can attract through different materials.\r\n\r\nNext, we'll be using the magnets for design challenges, where students will build, test, and compare their own magnetic creations. Thanks to your support, my students are learning science through curiosity, teamwork, and play.","fullyFundedDate":1755048539854,"projectUrl":"project/hands-on-minds-on-magnetic-sensory-lea/9552817/","projectTitle":"Hands-On, Minds-On: Magnetic Sensory Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Nelson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7939045_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y216&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754934571399","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrnelsonscienceteacher"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_3936","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":384,"numTeachers":19,"percentFrplEligible":35,"percentAsian":9,"percentBlack":14,"percentWhite":30,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":21,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"20.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":90.7,"schoolId":3936,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Joaquin Miller Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Joaquin Miller Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/oakland-unified-school-district/joaquin-miller-elementary-school/3936"}