{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Medulla Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":30.2,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9998104,"projectId":10032983,"letterContent":"Themed lessons have had a meaningful impact on 1st grade students both academically and emotionally.\r\n\r\nAcademically, themed instruction increases engagement and helps students make stronger connections across subjects. When reading, writing, math, science, and social studies are tied to one exciting theme (such as space, farms, oceans, or community helpers), students see learning as connected rather than separate subjects. This improves comprehension, vocabulary development, and retention of skills because concepts are reinforced in multiple ways. Students are more motivated to read texts, solve problems, and complete writing tasks when they connect to a theme they're excited about.\r\n\r\nEngagement and Motivation also significantly increase. Themed classrooms create anticipation and curiosity. Students often participate more in discussions, ask deeper questions, and show greater perseverance during challenging tasks because the theme makes learning feel purposeful and fun.\r\n\r\nCreativity and Critical Thinking grow as well. Themes encourage hands-on projects, role play, problem-solving activities, and collaborative tasks. Students begin to think more deeply and make real-world connections.\r\n\r\nClassroom Community is strengthened because everyone is working toward a shared experience. The theme becomes part of the classroom identity, fostering teamwork and a positive learning environment.\r\n\r\nOverall, themed lessons transform learning from routine instruction into an immersive experience that builds excitement, strengthens understanding, and supports long-term academic growth.","fullyFundedDate":1773886714437,"projectUrl":"project/big-themes-bright-minds/10032983/","projectTitle":"Big Themes, Bright Minds!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Taylor","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9998104_orig.jpg?crop=360,360,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1744392829861","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9998104"},{"teacherId":9998104,"projectId":10099501,"letterContent":"Learning about the chicken life cycle has a powerful impact on 1st grade students academically, socially, and emotionally.\r\n\r\nAcademically, students develop a deeper understanding of life science standards. Observing the stages from egg to chick to adult hen helps them understand sequencing, life cycles, and basic needs of living things. It strengthens vocabulary with words like incubate, hatch, embryo, and life cycle. Students also practice reading informational texts, writing observations in journals, measuring growth, and asking scientific questions — naturally integrating science, reading, writing, and math.\r\n\r\nSocially, the experience encourages teamwork and collaboration. Students work together to care for the eggs or chicks, share responsibilities, and discuss predictions and observations. They learn how to communicate ideas respectfully and listen to others' thinking.\r\n\r\nEmotionally, the biggest impact is often the sense of wonder and responsibility. Watching a chick hatch creates excitement and curiosity that textbooks simply cannot replicate. Students build empathy as they learn to handle chicks gently and understand the importance of caring for living things. For many children, this may be their first close-up experience with an animal's life cycle, making learning meaningful and memorable.\r\n\r\nOverall, learning about the chicken life cycle transforms science from something they read about into something they experience — building curiosity, responsibility, and a lifelong love of learning.","fullyFundedDate":1771364970147,"projectUrl":"project/chicken-life-cycle/10099501/","projectTitle":"Chicken Life Cycle","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Taylor","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9998104_orig.jpg?crop=360,360,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1744392829861","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9998104"},{"teacherId":9998104,"projectId":9254040,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for donating to our classroom. The students and I are truly grateful for your donation to our classroom. The students have enjoyed their new recess toys like the Lego's and Magnetic Tills. It has made the rain afternoons in Florida more fun than just coloring. \r\n\r\nThe students were also very excited to use the bullion board paper to decorate their boards that show off their work. The students have been very excited to show their friends our \"new room\" and their work that is displayed on the board. The students have really enjoyed making the classroom their own.","fullyFundedDate":1745421606888,"projectUrl":"project/the-essentials/9254040/","projectTitle":"The Essentials","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Taylor","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9998104_orig.jpg?crop=360,360,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1744392829861","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9998104"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_46976","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":488,"numTeachers":46,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":23,"percentWhite":32,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":38,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"10.6:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":69.8,"schoolId":46976,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Medulla Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Medulla Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/florida/polk-county-school-district/medulla-elementary-school/46976"}
Join the 106 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Medulla Elementary School is
a suburban public school
in Lakeland, Florida that is part of Polk County School District.
It serves 488 students
in grades Pre-K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 10.6:1.
Its teachers have had 32 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Boost support for this school! Share this page with friends, family, alumni, and fellow supporters. Every connection helps teachers get the supplies they need and shows how much your community cares about its students.
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Every donation funds real needs — pencils, books, lab equipment, art supplies, and more — helping students learn and thrive. We ship supplies directly to the school, and you'll see exactly where each dollar goes.
of students receive free or reduced price lunch
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
Source: the National Center for Education Statistics
62%
of students are Black, Latino, Native
American, or Asian
Data about school demographics comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. The numbers in this chart may not add up to 100% because of limitations in the available data.
Medulla Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Apr 8, 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.
Medulla Elementary School
$16,680
raised using DonorsChoose
32
projects
funded
18
teachers
funded
106
donors
7
projects
for
basic supplies
6
projects for
technology
3
projects for
books
Medulla Elementary School has received support from
74 individuals from Florida and
32 individuals out-of-state.
