Ramon S Tafoya Elementary School in Woodland, California on DonorsChoose

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Many of the texts also support vocabulary development and expose students to more complex sentence structures and richer language. Beyond these technical skills, the books encourage empathy, curiosity, and critical thinking. Students are encountering new perspectives, cultures, and life experiences, which helps them learn how to reflect, ask thoughtful questions, and connect literature to the world around them.\r\n\r\nReading in our classroom is an active, engaging experience. You might see students reading independently with focus and excitement, discussing a story with a partner, or gathered in small groups for guided reading. We often pause to talk about predictions, surprising moments, or connections to our own lives. Students annotate texts, keep reading journals, and sometimes act out scenes or respond through writing and art. The new books have made reading feel fresh and inviting—students are eager to pick them up, recommend them to friends, and return to favorite passages again and again.\r\n\r\nSeveral students in particular have been especially energized by the new collection. Some reluctant readers, who previously struggled to find books that held their attention, have discovered stories that truly speak to them. Seeing themselves reflected in characters has boosted their confidence and motivation, and they are reading more frequently and with greater stamina. Other students, already enthusiastic readers, are diving deeper—challenging themselves with more complex texts and leading thoughtful discussions. One student proudly shared that they finished a book faster than they ever had before, while another has started visiting the classroom library during free time just to read \"one more chapter.\"\r\n\r\nBecause of you, our classroom is a richer, more joyful place to learn. These books are not just materials on a shelf; they are tools that inspire growth, connection, and a lifelong love of reading. Thank you for helping make that possible for our students.","fullyFundedDate":1763064991074,"projectUrl":"project/eld-novel-study-book-request/9891199/","projectTitle":"ELD Novel Study Book Request","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ramirez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10164326_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1762873892524","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msramirez2025"},{"teacherId":10095956,"projectId":9614644,"letterContent":"Many of our donors love to read books (we do, too!), but they don't always get to see how books come alive in a classroom. These new texts support a wide range of reading skills and lessons, from building vocabulary and background knowledge to strengthening comprehension, critical thinking, and discussion skills. Students are practicing how to ask questions, make predictions, notice themes, and connect what they read to their own lives and the world around them. The variety of texts also allows us to introduce different genres, perspectives, and levels of complexity, helping every reader grow.\r\n\r\nIn our classroom, reading is active and social. Students read independently, in small groups, and as a class, using the books as a starting point for conversations, writing, and reflection. We pause to model strategies, talk about characters' choices, and explore new ideas together. The books don't just sit on the shelf—they're well-loved, passed around, and revisited as students discover new details or meanings each time they read.\r\n\r\nSeveral students, especially those who were previously hesitant readers, have been especially excited about the new books. Having fresh, engaging texts has helped them feel more confident and motivated, and they're choosing to read more often and for longer periods of time. It's been rewarding to see students light up when they find a book that speaks to their interests or experiences, and to watch them proudly share their favorite parts with classmates. These books are helping build not just reading skills, but a genuine love of reading.","fullyFundedDate":1762206907984,"projectUrl":"project/fueling-minds-hearts-a-classroom-libr/9614644/","projectTitle":"Fueling Minds & Hearts: A Classroom Library and Snack Station","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Cazares","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10095956_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y455&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755405091383","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10095956"},{"teacherId":10231015,"projectId":9662450,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support in providing a class set of Freckle Juice for my 4th-grade readers who face significant challenges with reading. As a Title-I school, many of my students come from lower-income backgrounds, and for several of them, having their own chapter book was a brand-new experience. The moment these books landed in their hands, their eyes lit up! 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About this school

Ramon S Tafoya Elementary School is a suburban public school in Woodland, California that is part of Woodland Joint Unified School District. It serves 783 students in grades Pre-K - 6 with a student/teacher ratio of 25.3:1. Its teachers have had 60 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Title 1

Grades Pre-K - 6

783 Students

31 Teachers

720 Homestead Way

Woodland, CA 95776 View local requests

https://tafoya.wjusd.org/

Direct, proactive support

Empower teachers at Ramon S Tafoya Elementary School to request what their students need.

Give to this school

Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

Kindergarten teacher at PS81 - Robert J. Christen School in Bronx, NY

Ramon S Tafoya Elementary School Teachers on DonorsChoose

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Ramon S Tafoya Elementary School Demographics

68%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

74%

of students are Black, Latino, Native American, or Asian

Schools in districts that mainly serve students of color receive substantially less state and local support than similar districts that serve primarily White students. Learn more about this gap, why it exists, and how you can help close it.

Ramon S Tafoya Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Feb 20, 2026

DonorsChoose makes it easy for anyone to help a teacher in need, moving us closer to a nation where students in every community have the tools and experiences they need for a great education.