{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Granite Mountain Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":24.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10519173,"projectId":10308616,"letterContent":"When I first started this project, my biggest goal was simple: I wanted to make sure my students had access to the tools they needed to be successful. As a resource teacher, I work with students who learn in many different ways and who often need something a little different to help a concept click. Now that our project has been fully funded, I have been able to bring those materials into our classroom and use them in ways that directly support my students. These resources have become part of our everyday learning, whether we are working in a small group, practicing a new skill, or finding a different way to approach something that feels difficult.\r\n\r\nOne of my favorite parts has been watching students realize that they have another way to be successful. Sometimes a student will be stuck on something, and instead of immediately giving up, we can pull out a resource and try it a different way. I have heard students say things like, \"Wait, I get it now,\" or \"Can I use that again?\" One student even told me, \"This makes it way easier,\" after using one of our new tools during a lesson. Those moments may seem small, but they are huge in our classroom. For a student who has spent a lot of time feeling frustrated by schoolwork, realizing that they can actually do something they thought was too hard can completely change the way they approach learning.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, my students were excited to see what we had gotten. There was definitely some \"What is this?\" and \"Can I try it?\" happening as we unpacked everything. I love that excitement because it turns learning materials into something students want to interact with rather than something they are being told they have to use. We have been able to explore the resources together and figure out which tools work best for different students. Some students like having something hands-on to work with, while others benefit from visual supports or having a way to break a larger task into smaller pieces. Having choices has helped me give students more ownership over their learning.\r\n\r\nThese resources have also helped me think about access in a more concrete way. Providing the same assignment to every student does not always mean every student has the same opportunity to be successful. My job is not to make every student learn in exactly the same way. My job is to help students access the learning. Sometimes that means extra practice. Sometimes it means using a hands-on tool. Sometimes it means taking a break and coming back to something later. Sometimes it means finding a completely different way to explain a concept. Having these materials available gives me more options when I am sitting beside a student thinking, \"Okay, this way isn't working. What can we try instead?\"\r\n\r\nI have also seen the resources help students become more independent. Instead of waiting for an adult to tell them what to do when they get stuck, students are beginning to recognize what tools help them. I have had students ask to use certain materials because they know those tools help them understand the work. That is something I really value as a special education teacher. I want my students to leave my classroom knowing themselves as learners. I want them to know what helps them, feel comfortable asking for what they need, and understand that needing support is not something to be embarrassed about.\r\n\r\nRight now, we are continuing to use these materials as we work through our 5th grade reading, writing, and math standards. We are practicing skills, working toward IEP goals, and preparing students to become more independent learners. There are still plenty of moments when learning is hard. There are still frustrated sighs, erased answers, \"I don't get it,\" and the occasional \"I hate this\" because, well, they are 5th graders. But now I have more tools to respond with. Instead of stopping at \"I don't get it,\" we can figure out what might help.\r\n\r\nThe biggest impact of this project is not just the materials sitting on a shelf in my classroom. It is the opportunity those materials give my students. They give students another chance when something does not work the first time. They give students a way to participate, practice, and experience success. They help create a classroom where students do not have to fit into one specific way of learning. Most importantly, they remind my students that there is always another way to try.\r\n\r\nI am so grateful to everyone who supported this project and helped make it possible. As a first-year resource teacher, having people believe in my classroom and my students means more than I can really put into words. You did not just donate supplies. You helped me create more opportunities for my students to feel capable, included, and proud of their learning.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping me give my students the tools to keep trying, keep growing, and keep reaching for the stars. I cannot wait to see where they go next.","fullyFundedDate":1780252263726,"projectUrl":"project/helping-5th-graders-build-skills-and-con/10308616/","projectTitle":"Helping 5th Graders Build Skills and Confidence","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Belle","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10519173_orig.jpg?crop=945,945,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1779998887034","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10519173"},{"teacherId":10491707,"projectId":10258250,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our classroom! My students have already been using and loving the new materials, and it has been wonderful to see how much they are enjoying them.\r\n\r\nThe balls for team-building games have brought so much energy and excitement to our classroom while giving students fun opportunities to practice teamwork, communication, and cooperation. The dry erase pockets have made learning more interactive and have quickly become a favorite tool for practicing skills and showing their thinking in a game format.\r\n\r\nThe on-ear headphones and individual storage bags have been especially helpful during independent learning time. Students appreciate having headphones they can use comfortably while keeping them clean and organized. The magnetic bookshelves have also made our books much more visible and inviting. Students love being able to see the book covers and easily choose something that catches their interest. It has relieved congestion at the main book shelves as well.\r\n\r\nIt means so much to have these resources in our classroom. You have helped create a space where students can learn, collaborate, stay organized, and enjoy learning together. Thank you for investing in my students and making such a positive difference in our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1783343008931,"projectUrl":"project/6th-grade-students-deserve-to-have-nice/10258250/","projectTitle":"6th Grade Students Deserve to Have Nice Things!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bombardieri","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10491707"},{"teacherId":8519779,"projectId":6547242,"letterContent":"Thank you for making our library project a reality! Because of your generosity, our students now have nearly 50 new picture books and young adult books to enjoy. These books are current, engaging, and relevant to their lives, giving them opportunities to see themselves in stories, discover new perspectives, and develop a lifelong love of reading. Your support made it possible to bring fresh, high-interest books to our shelves that our library budget simply could not provide.\r\n\r\nThe day the books arrived was filled with excitement. Students gathered around as we unpacked the boxes, eager to see what was new. They immediately began picking up books, sharing titles with friends, and asking, \"Can I check this out today?\" Seeing their enthusiasm reminded me how much access to new books matters. Your gift has already inspired students to read more, explore new genres, and visit the library with renewed excitement.\r\n\r\nAs the librarian at a Title I school, I know firsthand how much your generosity means. Our school serves many families with limited resources, and our library operates on a very tight budget. Your donation has given our students opportunities they might not otherwise have had, and it sends them an important message—that there are people beyond our community who believe in them and value their education. Thank you for investing in our students, supporting public school libraries, and helping us create a welcoming library where every child can discover the joy of reading.","fullyFundedDate":1661807987411,"projectUrl":"project/classroom-libraries-develop-crucial-life/6547242/","projectTitle":"Classroom Libraries Develop Crucial Life Skills and Lifelong Readers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Habeck","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8519779_orig.jpg?crop=272,272,x0,y9&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1785721772586","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8519779"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_41715","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":515,"numTeachers":30,"percentFrplEligible":27,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":69,"percentIndigenous":1,"percentLatinx":20,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":6,"gradesServed":"5 - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"17.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":false,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":75.6,"schoolId":41715,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Granite Mountain Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Granite Mountain Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/arizona/prescott-unified-school-district-1/granite-mountain-middle-school/41715"}