{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Benjamin Banneker Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":31.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10310668,"projectId":9824086,"letterContent":"Thank You for Helping Create a Cozy Learning Space!\r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, our classroom now has a cozy reading corner complete with a comfortable couch, fresh crayons, and a hand sanitizer station. These resources have already made a meaningful difference in how my students learn, relax, and take pride in their classroom.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the new space, their faces lit up with excitement. They couldn't wait to sit on the couch and explore books in a calm, inviting environment. Many of them shared that it felt like a \"little library\" or \"home reading spot,\" which has helped them feel more comfortable and eager to read.\r\n\r\nWe've been using the reading corner during independent reading time, small group instruction, and quiet reset moments. One of my favorite moments was watching a group of students take turns reading aloud to each other on the couch while others used the new crayons to illustrate their favorite parts of the story. The hand sanitizer station has also helped reinforce healthy habits and responsibility as students transition in and out of shared spaces.\r\n\r\nNext, we'll be using this space to support our reading comprehension lessons by having students respond to stories through drawing, journaling, and partner discussions. This cozy corner has created a positive, welcoming environment where students feel motivated, safe, and excited to learn.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping make our classroom a place where learning truly feels joyful and comfortable. Your support has made a lasting impact on my students every day!","fullyFundedDate":1760548300487,"projectUrl":"project/a-cozy-corner-for-kindness-and-creativit/9824086/","projectTitle":"A Cozy Corner for Kindness and Creativity","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Davis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10310668"},{"teacherId":9613853,"projectId":9823459,"letterContent":"Our students love the new supplies we have received from this program. We use the different supplies throughout different lessons and activities. I teach both Kindergarten and first grade and these materials are great for both.\r\n\r\nIn Kindergarten, we have been using some of the materials to help us learn how to spell and write our names. In art class, students were practicing writing their names with crayons, colored pencils and even paint brushes. Some students still have trouble remembering how to spell their names. We have different centers that have your materials available to help them with those tasks. For instance, you will see students in the pictures, spelling their names with letter beads and large chunky letters. Students have fun spelling their names and using fine motor skills.\r\n\r\nIn the beginning of the year, there are also first grade students who need help with their names too. In addition to this, first graders have been using the materials from this program to spell vocabulary words, practice rhyming words and word families. The students love the word dominoes and magnetic letters also that help them with their reading skills.\r\n\r\nWe are so thankful for programs like Donors Choose that allow teachers to get worthwhile materials that supplement our curricula in our schools.","fullyFundedDate":1760384493092,"projectUrl":"project/building-brighter-readers-through-art/9823459/","projectTitle":"Building Brighter Readers through Art","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hudson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9613853"},{"teacherId":9023354,"projectId":9821322,"letterContent":"This has truly been an amazing and impactful tool for both my students and me. Since receiving these materials, I have been able to use them consistently in the classrooms that I push into, and the difference they have made in student engagement and learning has been remarkable. The tools have allowed me to be more intentional, interactive, and responsive to student needs during instruction, which has strengthened both participation and understanding.\r\nOne of the most powerful ways I have used these resources is through hands-on literacy activities, particularly word ladders using the magnetic boards. These boards have transformed how students interact with words. Instead of simply hearing or seeing word changes, students are actively manipulating letters, building words, and noticing how small changes can create entirely new meanings. This visual and tactile experience has significantly increased their understanding of word parts, phonics patterns, and spelling rules. Students are better able to identify how words are connected, recognize patterns, and apply those skills when reading and writing independently.\r\nBecause the materials are so engaging, students are eager to participate. They are excited to come to the table, take turns, and explain their thinking as they work through each word change. I have seen students who are typically hesitant to participate become more confident and willing to take risks. The magnetic boards provide a supportive structure that allows students to self-correct, collaborate with peers, and build a deeper understanding of language in a meaningful way.\r\nIn addition to increased engagement, I have seen clear academic growth. Students are retaining concepts more effectively because they are learning by doing. The ability to physically manipulate word parts has strengthened their phonemic awareness, decoding skills, and vocabulary development. These tools have also allowed me to easily differentiate instruction, ensuring that all learners—regardless of their skill level—can access the content and experience success.\r\nNone of this would have been possible without your generous donation. Your support has had a direct and lasting impact on our classrooms and our students' learning experiences. Because of your contribution, students are more engaged, more confident, and more excited about learning. Thank you so much for your kindness, generosity, and commitment to supporting education. Your donation has truly made a difference, and we are incredibly grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1760333291368,"projectUrl":"project/magnet-boards-for-phonics/9821322/","projectTitle":"Magnet Boards for Phonics","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Leyanna","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9023354"},{"teacherId":10310665,"projectId":9824077,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredibly kind and generous donation to our classroom. Your support has helped provide us with essential supplies that truly make a difference in our students' learning and daily experiences.\r\n\r\nWhen the students saw the new prize bin toys, stools, paint, morning bin toys, and all of the other materials, their eyes absolutely lit up. They were so excited and kept saying it felt like \"Christmas.\" It was such a joy to watch their excitement and gratitude as they explored everything for the first time.\r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity, our classroom is a more engaging, comfortable, and creative space where students feel motivated to learn and succeed. We are so grateful for your support and for the positive impact you have made on our students.\r\n\r\nThank you again for investing in our classroom and our learners.\r\n\r\nWith sincere appreciation,","fullyFundedDate":1760487280657,"projectUrl":"project/bright-minds-big-dreams-help-our-kinde/9824077/","projectTitle":"Bright Minds, Big Dreams: Help Our Kindergarteners Shine!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kirkpatrick","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10310665_orig.png?crop=317,318,x0,y30&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1760380368365","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10310665"},{"teacherId":10308349,"projectId":9816136,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation to our classroom. Your kindness has made a meaningful difference in our students' learning environment and daily experiences at school.\r\n\r\nThe new rug and bookcase have helped us create a cozy, welcoming reading area where students gather for story time, quiet reading, and class discussions. It has quickly become one of their favorite spots in the room. Our counting bears and magnetic ten frames are used daily during math lessons to practice counting, addition, subtraction, and number sense in a hands-on and engaging way. The magnetic tiles have also been a wonderful addition, encouraging creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork as students build and explore together.\r\n\r\nWhen the items arrived, the children were absolutely thrilled. Their faces lit up with excitement, and they couldn't wait to explore and start using everything. It was truly heartwarming to see how valued and special they felt knowing that others cared enough to support their learning.\r\n\r\nWe are incredibly grateful for your generosity and investment in our students' education. Thank you for helping us create a classroom space where children feel inspired, supported, and excited to learn each day.","fullyFundedDate":1760304270347,"projectUrl":"project/super-hero-trainer/9816136/","projectTitle":"Super Hero Trainer","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Wise","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10308349"},{"teacherId":10308357,"projectId":9816157,"letterContent":"I want to first start pricing thank you for donating. It meant a lot to me and my students. I am very grateful for the opportunities to even publish the wishlist. The students were very excited to receive the package. They have been using the learning tools.\r\n\r\nThey were very excited to start using the learning tools during their independent center time. Their favorite part of the order was the alphabet keylock. This was something that they wanted to play with almost every day. It was a great tool to help my students with their letter identification.","fullyFundedDate":1760414331263,"projectUrl":"project/learning-tools-for-special-education/9816157/","projectTitle":"Learning Tools for Special Education","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Wood","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10308357"},{"teacherId":7761959,"projectId":9818021,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation to my classroom. Your support has made a meaningful and immediate impact on my students. They are already using the materials, and I have seen their confidence grow as they practice and strengthen their literacy skills. These resources provide opportunities for them to engage more deeply in reading and learning, and their enthusiasm has been wonderful to witness. Your kindness not only enhances our classroom environment but also helps create a positive foundation for their academic success. I am truly grateful for your willingness to invest in my students and their education.","fullyFundedDate":1760315088595,"projectUrl":"project/reading-in-rhythm-building-literacy-thr/9818021/","projectTitle":"Reading in Rhythm: Building Literacy Through Music","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Hodne","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7761959"},{"teacherId":1169384,"projectId":9815924,"letterContent":"I want to share the incredible difference that our new literacy resources have made in my first-grade classroom. These resources have transformed the way my students learn, read, and stay organized each day.\r\n\r\nThe library bin cart has become the heart of our classroom reading area. It allows my students to easily browse and select books that match their reading levels and interests. Because the books are now organized and accessible, my students are spending more time reading independently and sharing stories with their peers. Their excitement for reading has grown so much that many students now choose to read during free time!\r\n\r\nThe magnetic phonics kits have brought hands-on learning to our literacy lessons. My students love building and manipulating words using the magnetic letters. These kits help them better understand how sounds come together to form words, and I've already seen noticeable growth in their decoding and spelling skills. Learning to read has become interactive, engaging, and fun!\r\n\r\nFinally, the drawer organizers have helped create a more efficient and structured classroom environment. Students can now find their materials quickly, take responsibility for keeping their spaces tidy, and transition between activities more smoothly. This organization supports a calm and focused learning atmosphere, allowing us to make the most of our instructional time.\r\n\r\nThanks to these resources, my first graders are developing stronger literacy skills, independence, and a genuine love for learning. Your support has truly made a lasting impact on their daily classroom experience and academic growth.","fullyFundedDate":1760299337487,"projectUrl":"project/learning-through-literacy/9815924/","projectTitle":"Learning through Literacy","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Huffman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1169384_orig.jpg?crop=2268,2268,x0,y378&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1649732278020","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mr-huffman"},{"teacherId":10310524,"projectId":9823609,"letterContent":"We've been using the new SEL resources to make our activities and projects more intentional and student-centered. At the start of lessons, students use emotion check-ins and reflection prompts to build self-awareness. During group projects, we integrate teamwork strategies from the SEL materials — like active listening stems, turn-taking roles, and conflict resolution steps. These supports help students practice empathy, communication, and problem-solving as they work together\r\n\r\nWhen my Pre-K through 1st grade students first saw the new SEL materials, including board games, puppets, and the variety of lessons, they were instantly drawn in and excited. The colorful board games sparked lots of curiosity and friendly competition, which helped them practice turn-taking and cooperation in a fun way.\r\n\r\nThe puppets were a huge hit — students loved using them to act out feelings and scenarios, which made learning about emotions feel playful and relatable. It really helped even the shyest kids express themselves.\r\n\r\nOverall, the different lessons kept their attention because they were hands-on and varied. The kids responded with lots of smiles and enthusiasm, and it was clear these tools made SEL feel like an enjoyable part of our day rather than just another task.\r\n\r\nThe next steps for my Pre-K through 1st grade students are to build on what we've learned by applying the SEL skills in more independent and group activities. Now that they've practiced naming their emotions and using the new SEL materials, we'll start encouraging them to make choices on their own — like picking strategies from our calm-down corner or using feeling words during partner play.\r\n\r\nIn small groups, they'll also begin using the board games and puppets more collaboratively, with less teacher direction. This will help them strengthen self-regulation, turn-taking, and communication skills. I'll be modeling language less and prompting them more, so they can show what they've learned.","fullyFundedDate":1760384076264,"projectUrl":"project/feel-think-grow/9823609/","projectTitle":"Feel. Think. Grow","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Ayers","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10310524"},{"teacherId":9058602,"projectId":8667879,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for funding my classroom. Thanks to your help and the help of the donations, we were able to add so many items to enhance our class. We love being able to utilize a standing desk area with a new comfortable chair. The chair is being used as a student earn and learning tool!\r\nWe are also so grateful for the materials we were able to add for our flexible seating and learning. Students are enjoying these materials and utilizing them to enhance their academic day. It has been an incredible opportunity to have the assistance to provide my students and our class family with the resources we needed to be the best we can be! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.","fullyFundedDate":1724096309690,"projectUrl":"project/miss-nus-new-room/8667879/","projectTitle":"Miss Nu's New Room","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Nunes","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9058602_orig.jpg?crop=1870,1870,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1684944279742","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/miss-nunes"},{"teacherId":1169384,"projectId":9294021,"letterContent":"The new stand-up desk and magnetic phonics kits have brought a fresh energy into our daily literacy routines! One of our favorite activities now is our \"Build-a-Word\" station, where students use the magnetic letters to create words, practice phonics patterns, and blend sounds. The stand-up desk has become a favorite spot — it allows students who need a bit more movement to stay engaged while learning. It's been amazing to see how something as simple as standing can boost focus and participation.\r\n\r\nThey were so excited! The magnetic phonics kits were a hit from the start — I heard a lot of \"Can I go next?\" and \"This is so fun!\" when we introduced them during small group reading time. The stand-up desk also drew a crowd, and students have loved taking turns using it. One student said, \"It makes me feel like a teacher!\" They felt proud, empowered, and eager to learn.\r\n\r\nNext, we're starting a phonics-focused \"Word Detective\" project where students will search for word patterns in books and build word families using the magnetic kits. They'll record their findings and share them with the class. The stand-up desk will continue to serve as a flexible learning station during both reading and writing blocks. Thanks to these resources, our classroom is more interactive and inclusive — and our students are thriving!","fullyFundedDate":1746574477283,"projectUrl":"project/building-strong-readers-with-phonics-and/9294021/","projectTitle":"Building Strong Readers with Phonics and Flexible Seating","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Huffman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1169384_orig.jpg?crop=2268,2268,x0,y378&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1649732278020","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mr-huffman"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_44489","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":527,"numTeachers":32,"percentFrplEligible":63,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":30,"percentWhite":45,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":17,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"1 - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"16.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"TOWN","ncesMetroType":"TOWN_FRINGE"},"inStateSupporters":69.0,"schoolId":44489,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Benjamin Banneker Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Benjamin Banneker Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/delaware/milford-school-district/benjamin-banneker-elementary-school/44489"}