{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Mountain View Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":45.7,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":2034103,"projectId":9721853,"letterContent":"First and foremost, I wanted to share my gratitude for your willingness to help fund projects, materials, and supplies for teachers who so often want to provide the best learning experience possible but often lack the means or access themselves. Your generosity speaks for itself, but I am incredibly thankful that you chose my project to help fund. It means a lot to be able to share an incredible story with my students thanks to the kindness of strangers. \r\n\r\n\tMy goal was to introduce my students to the fantastic world of Middle Earth through The Hobbit. On paper, this story is perfect for the age group of students I teach and is right within their expected Lexile levels. However, as a Special Education teacher, many of the students I work with are well below grade level in reading proficiency. This includes not only their ability to read, but their ability to comprehend what they have read. This typically presents a challenge because if we were to just read the book cover to cover as a class, many of them would be lost. And that is where the additional items and resources come in. \r\n\r\n Not only did you help provide books, but you helped provide headphones for each and every student, as well as a supplemental activity book/lesson guide. The lesson guide is an amazing resource that helps break down chapters with fun activities, important vocabulary, and opens up avenues of conversation to reinforce comprehension of the novel. Even before starting The Hobbit, we utilized the pre-reading activities in the lesson guide to introduce students to the world and the author. We also navigated unfamiliar vocabulary and explored critical thinking about what the story may be about just based on the title, cover art, and vocabulary. This got the students engaged and excited to dive into a book; many of which would have likely told me before that they \"don't like to read.\" I know as an educator that this isn't the case. It's far more likely they just have a difficult time reading and have not found something engaging enough to draw them in to work through those challenges. \r\n\r\n\tAs I write this, we are roughly one third of the way through the novel. We are moving slowly but steadily, and the students are loving it so far. We vary our reading methods from reading along an audiobook as a class, independently re-reading along the audio (which is where the headphones come in), and popcorn reading. We stop regularly to discuss, and we have been utilizing the activities in the lesson planner as we reach various parts of the story. \r\n\r\n\tOne amazing aspect of your generosity is that it has already reached more than my students. Another teacher discussed reading the same novel with their students since it has been going so well with my class and I offered to share the resources, which they accepted gratefully. So thanks to your kindness, multiple teachers and classes of students will benefit from a story they otherwise would not have had access to. And the beauty is that I can continue to share this with new students as I teach through the years. \r\n\r\n\tThank you again, from the bottom of my heart, for your donation and kindness. I wish you the best this world has to offer.","fullyFundedDate":1761691095389,"projectUrl":"project/improving-literacy-through-tolkien/9721853/","projectTitle":"Improving Literacy Through Tolkien","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Kelsey","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2034103_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758167724533","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2034103"},{"teacherId":9712322,"projectId":9693620,"letterContent":"Receiving the 3D printer and filament has made a significant difference in my 7th grade science classroom. This resource has allowed me to create hands-on and accessible science manipulatives that help all learners better understand abstract concepts.\r\n\r\nOne of the most meaningful uses so far has been designing and printing custom manipulatives for our plate tectonics unit. Students were able to physically model how plates move, collide, and slide past each other. Instead of only seeing diagrams in a book, they used 3D models that showed convergent, divergent, and transform boundaries in a clear and concrete way. This helped students make connections more quickly, increased engagement, and supported stronger comprehension during discussions and assessments.\r\n\r\nBeyond plate tectonics, the 3D printer has opened the door for student led STEM projects. Students are beginning to design their own prototypes, problem solve in teams, and apply engineering design principles in a hands-on way. Having access to 3D printing helps bring their ideas to life, builds creativity, and increases confidence in science and engineering.","fullyFundedDate":1762265374626,"projectUrl":"project/bring-science-to-life-with-3d-printing/9693620/","projectTitle":"Bring Science to Life with 3D Printing","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Emerick","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9712322_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1731105918050","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9712322"},{"teacherId":9712322,"projectId":9294239,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, my students are now able to explore the concept of density in a hands-on way using the density cubes, rulers, and meter sticks you provided. During our first activity, students worked in small groups to measure the length, width, and height of the cubes and calculate their volume. They were excited to use the rulers and meter sticks themselves and loved comparing the mass of each cube to its volume to determine density. One memorable moment was when a group realized that two cubes that looked the same actually had different densities, which sparked a lively discussion about why objects of the same size can feel different in weight.\r\n\r\nThis hands-on activity helped students better understand abstract concepts by letting them see and manipulate real objects. The next steps for the students will be to apply what they learned about density to predict and test whether other objects will float or sink in water. Your donation has given students an engaging, interactive experience that strengthens their understanding of key science concepts while building critical thinking and measurement skills.","fullyFundedDate":1746785955410,"projectUrl":"project/measuring-up-tools-for-exploring-mass/9294239/","projectTitle":"Measuring Up: Tools for Exploring Mass, Volume, and Density","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Emerick","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9712322_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1731105918050","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9712322"},{"teacherId":9712322,"projectId":9021505,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, my students are now able to explore food webs and predator-prey relationships in a hands-on way using the owl pellets and dissection tools you provided. During our first lesson, each student received an owl pellet and a set of tools to carefully dissect it. The excitement in the classroom was immediate—many students had never seen bones or animal remains up close before, and they were eager to examine, sort, and identify the different bones. One memorable moment was when a group of students discovered the skull of a small rodent and realized it connected to everything we had been learning about what owls eat. Using their observations, students worked together to map out a food web, linking the owl to the prey they identified in the pellet.\r\n\r\nThe students were highly engaged and proud to share their discoveries with the class, which sparked rich discussions about ecosystems, predator-prey relationships, and the role of owls in their environment. The next steps for the students will be to create a visual presentation of their food webs, including labeled diagrams and explanations of each connection, and to reflect on how these interactions maintain balance in nature. Your donation has given them a hands-on, memorable experience that deepens their understanding of science and inspires curiosity about the natural world.","fullyFundedDate":1745896052250,"projectUrl":"project/exploring-food-chains-with-owl-pellet-di/9021505/","projectTitle":"Exploring Food Chains With Owl Pellet Dissections","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Emerick","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9712322_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1731105918050","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9712322"},{"teacherId":9932418,"projectId":9133798,"letterContent":"I am so thankful Dr. Kedziora for your kind donation of Becoming Naomi Leon novels. My students enjoyed reading the book and creating a Bloom Ball. This book was somewhat easy to read with a great plot relatable to my 8th grade students. They enjoyed having brand new books to read and use for their project. \r\nI am planning on using this book again this year with my EL students in their English 3D class. The book dives into relationships with your immediate as well as extended family. It talks about friendships and how it is okay to be unique and not follow everyone's path.","fullyFundedDate":1742953353012,"projectUrl":"project/theres-a-leonlion-in-my-room/9133798/","projectTitle":"There's a ¨Leon/Lion¨ in My Room!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Tavares","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9932418"},{"teacherId":9623552,"projectId":8948699,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of privacy screens for our classroom. These screens have made a tremendous impact during test taking and independent work. Students now feel more comfortable focusing on their own thinking without distractions, and it has helped create a calmer, more respectful testing environment.\r\n\r\nBeyond assessments, the screens have also supported daily learning by encouraging students to take ownership of their work, knowing they have their own space to think and problem-solve. I've already noticed increased confidence and fewer worries about \"peeking\" or being distracted by neighbors.\r\n\r\nYour contribution has directly improved both the fairness and the quality of learning in our classroom, and my students and I are deeply grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1739368349992,"projectUrl":"project/privacy-screens/8948699/","projectTitle":"Privacy Screens","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Hidalgo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9623552_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1763252113930","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9623552"},{"teacherId":9712322,"projectId":9294184,"letterContent":"This project had a powerful impact on my students' learning. The molecular modeling kits gave them the chance to physically build molecules, which made it easier to understand how atoms bond and form compounds. Many students who normally struggle with abstract concepts in chemistry were able to see and feel the structures, which helped them make connections they might not have made otherwise.\r\n\r\nThe periodic table element samples also made a big difference. Instead of just looking at symbols on a chart, students could observe real pieces of the elements and compare their properties. Holding a sample of copper or examining a piece of carbon made the periodic table come alive and helped students better understand how elements are part of their everyday world.\r\n\r\nBecause of these materials, I was able to design lessons that were more interactive and student-centered. My students were not only more engaged but also asked deeper questions about how matter is structured and why elements behave the way they do. These resources transformed what could have been an abstract unit into an exciting, hands-on experience that strengthened my students' confidence in science.","fullyFundedDate":1746785954523,"projectUrl":"project/building-chemistry-knowledge-with-molecu/9294184/","projectTitle":"Building Chemistry Knowledge With Molecular Models and Real Element Samples!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Emerick","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9712322_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1731105918050","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9712322"},{"teacherId":9712322,"projectId":9210484,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting my students with interactive notebook supplies. These materials have quickly become an important part of our daily learning in science. My students use their notebooks as both a resource and a creative space where they can organize information, practice vocabulary, and complete hands-on activities that connect directly to our lessons.\r\n\r\nStudents were able to set up their notebooks with foldables, diagrams, and graphic organizers using the new supplies. They were excited to use the colorful paper, glue, and markers to make their notes stand out, and many shared that it helped them remember the material more clearly. For some students who struggle with focus, having the opportunity to cut, color, and design their notes kept them engaged and motivated.","fullyFundedDate":1746785829828,"projectUrl":"project/interactive-science-notebooks-tools-for/9210484/","projectTitle":"Interactive Science Notebooks: Tools for Hands-On Learning!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Emerick","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9712322_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1731105918050","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9712322"},{"teacherId":9712322,"projectId":9322605,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our biome poster project. Your donation made a big difference in helping my students engage with science in a hands-on and creative way.\r\n\r\nWe used the new materials to research and design posters about different biomes. Each student or pair of students selected a biome to study, including its climate, plant and animal life, and environmental challenges. With the colored pencils, markers, and other supplies, students created posters that showed what they learned in a visual and meaningful format.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials arrived, the students were excited to see everything laid out for them. Many of them took extra care with their work and were proud to have high-quality supplies that helped them do their best. It created a sense of purpose and ownership in the classroom that really stood out.","fullyFundedDate":1747068949671,"projectUrl":"project/protect-our-biomes-student-posters-for/9322605/","projectTitle":"Protect Our Biomes: Student Posters for Planet Awareness","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Emerick","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9712322_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1731105918050","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9712322"},{"teacherId":9845106,"projectId":8960082,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous gift of a classroom set of The Giver! Your donation has made a tremendous difference in our learning environment, allowing each of my 8th grade students to hold their own copy of the text and truly immerse themselves in the world of Jonas and the Community. This book has served as a great tool for teaching key reading and writing skills, including analyzing theme, character development, and author's purpose, all while exploring larger ideas around conformity, memory, and the importance of choice.\r\n\r\nReading in our classroom is active, engaging, and collaborative. We kicked off the unit with a mini-lesson introducing the concepts of utopias and dystopias, which helped frame the story's setting and themes. Students worked in small groups to create posters comparing the two types of societies, and we even held a mock \"Ceremony of Twelve\" to help bring the world of The Giver to life. After every few chapters, students chose from a selection of thought-provoking questions for their writing assessments, encouraging both voice and ownership in their analysis. Having a personal copy of the novel meant students could refer back to key moments in the text during discussions and writing.\r\n\r\nSeveral students who are usually reluctant readers found themselves engaged in The Giver, although they started off thinking it was boring. One student, in particular, shared that he thought the book was going to be long and horrible but as we read more he started becoming intrigued and wanted to read ahead. Your support provided not just books, but allowed for deeper thinking and meaningful conversations that students will carry with them into high school.","fullyFundedDate":1739368337265,"projectUrl":"project/the-giver-reading-unit/8960082/","projectTitle":"The Giver Reading Unit","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Garcia","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9845106"},{"teacherId":9712322,"projectId":8928402,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous donation, my students are now budding geologists! The rock samples and identification tools you helped provide have been an incredible addition to our unit on rocks and minerals. When I first showed the students the materials, their eyes lit up with excitement. They couldn't believe they'd be working with real rock samples like scientists.\r\n\r\nWe recently kicked off our unit by setting up rock investigation stations. Students used hand lenses, streak plates, and the new rock samples to observe physical properties such as color, texture, hardness, and luster. One student proudly shouted, \"I found cleavage in my mineral!\" This moment showed how engaged they are with the vocabulary and hands-on learning.\r\n\r\nThe next step in our unit is for students to classify each sample as igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic. They will also start exploring the rock cycle and explain the transformation of rocks! Because of your support, this unit has gone from being textbook-based to a full hands-on science experience. We are so grateful you helped make that happen. Thank you for being part of our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1739368348944,"projectUrl":"project/rocking-science-hands-on-rock-identific/8928402/","projectTitle":"Rocking Science: Hands-On Rock Identification Kits for Young Geologists","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Emerick","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9712322_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1731105918050","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9712322"},{"teacherId":9901760,"projectId":9070111,"letterContent":"I cannot begin to describe the excitement that I and students have had with the start up of this club. From the very first day I had informed my classes that we received funding to start our soap and cosmetics club to the day we actually got started. I have had an influx of female student and a few male students who have gotten invovled and are excited on a daily basis. We even have a tentative waiting list of students who want to get in for the next school.\r\n\r\nOur first project was to make soap bars out of olive oil and lye. The trial run was a great success. Unfortunately, our second one was not so great. Our soap ended up being lye heavy. Which may seem like a total failure, but with science, mistakes are ok. We learn and move on. Lye heavy soap was a great example on understand the importance of properly balancing formulas and learning to fix them when they can be fixed. Our next step with soap is to correctly balance the formula to keep us from throwing materials away.\r\n\r\nAgain, I love the direction this is going in. I love that we are learning to keep waste at its minimum and we are learning to be self-sufficient. Most of all, I love how you've helped us give these students a window to look out from.","fullyFundedDate":1739368343998,"projectUrl":"project/panther-pride-soap-cosmetics/9070111/","projectTitle":"Panther Pride Soap & Cosmetics","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Rangel","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9901760"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_54856","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":1131,"numTeachers":53,"percentFrplEligible":76,"percentAsian":4,"percentBlack":11,"percentWhite":6,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":74,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"21.3:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":54.3,"schoolId":54856,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Mountain View Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Mountain View Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/moreno-valley-unified-school-district/mountain-view-middle-school/54856"}