{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Arroyo Del Oso Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":32.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":6590933,"projectId":10616680,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project, Creating a Classroom Where Curious Minds Can Thrive! Your generosity has helped transform our classroom into more than just a place where students complete assignments. You have helped me create an environment where students can feel comfortable, curious, creative, and ready to learn. For my gifted and twice-exceptional learners, having a classroom designed around different learning needs makes a meaningful difference.\r\n\r\nThe technology, STEM materials, enrichment games, building supplies, and flexible classroom resources have expanded the ways my students can engage with learning. Instead of expecting every student to learn in exactly the same way, I can provide choices that allow students to discover what helps them focus and participate most successfully. Alternative seating gives students opportunities for movement and different working positions, while noise-reducing headphones can provide a quieter environment when students need to concentrate. Warm lighting and organized materials help create a welcoming atmosphere that feels calm and purposeful.\r\n\r\nThe impact on student learning has extended beyond academics. When students have choices and feel comfortable in their environment, they are better positioned to take intellectual risks. My students are naturally curious and often have questions that take them beyond the traditional curriculum. The STEM materials, logic games, craft supplies, and building materials give them opportunities to follow those interests. They can design, construct, experiment, solve problems, and revise their ideas instead of always looking for a single predetermined answer.\r\n\r\nWhat excites my students most is having a classroom where exploration is encouraged. They are drawn to materials that allow them to make something, solve a puzzle, test an idea, or collaborate with a classmate. A simple building challenge can become an opportunity to practice engineering and perseverance, while an enrichment game can encourage students to think strategically and explain their reasoning. These activities provide meaningful challenges while allowing students to experience the joy of discovery.\r\n\r\nI have also seen students who particularly benefit from having choices in how and where they work. Some students thrive when they can move while thinking, while others are more successful when they have access to a quieter space. Giving students appropriate choices helps them become more aware of their own learning needs and encourages them to practice self-management and independence. These are skills that will benefit them far beyond our classroom.\r\n\r\nThe organizational materials have made a difference in my teaching as well. Having storage bins, folders, classroom supplies, and other organizational tools means that resources can be easily accessible and ready when students need them. Instead of spending valuable learning time searching for materials, we can focus on exploring ideas, completing challenges, and creating.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, this project has helped me establish the kind of classroom culture I want my students to experience every day: **You belong here. Your ideas matter. There are many ways to learn.** Thank you for helping me create a space where students can be themselves while also being challenged to grow.\r\n\r\nYour support has helped turn a blank classroom into a learning environment filled with possibilities. Because of your generosity, my students have more opportunities to wonder, experiment, collaborate, create, and discover their own strengths. Thank you for helping create a classroom where curious minds can truly thrive!","fullyFundedDate":1789609858487,"projectUrl":"project/creating-a-classroom-where-curious-minds/10616680/","projectTitle":"Creating a Classroom Where Curious Minds Can Thrive","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sosa","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6590933_orig.jpg?crop=2320,2320,x0,y7&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1630200029705","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6590933"},{"teacherId":6590933,"projectId":10227487,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project, Thinking in Patterns: Building Minds With Brain Teasers and Spirograph! Your generosity has provided my students with engaging, screen-free opportunities to stretch their thinking, explore mathematical patterns, and develop the perseverance and creativity that are so important for lifelong learning.\r\n\r\nMy elementary gifted students thrive when they encounter challenges that do not have an immediately obvious answer. The brain teasers have given them opportunities to slow down, analyze information, look for patterns, test different strategies, and persist when the solution does not come easily. Rather than simply asking students to memorize an answer, these activities encourage them to explain their reasoning and think about how they arrived at a solution. This has helped students become more comfortable with productive struggle and has strengthened their confidence as problem-solvers.\r\n\r\nThe Spirograph tools have added a completely different dimension to our learning. Students are able to explore mathematical patterns through hands-on design and creativity. As they experiment with different shapes, rotations, and repeated patterns, they are developing an appreciation for the relationship between mathematics and art. The precision required to create intricate designs also encourages students to slow down, pay attention to detail, and practice self-management.\r\n\r\nWhat excites my students most is having materials that allow them to challenge themselves while also giving them freedom to explore. Brain teasers often turn into friendly challenges as students compare strategies and try to figure out a solution that initially seems impossible. With the Spirograph, students are excited to see what patterns they can create and how small changes can produce completely different designs. Their curiosity often leads them to experiment beyond the original activity and create challenges of their own.\r\n\r\nI have seen particular enthusiasm from students who enjoy puzzles, patterns, and visual challenges. Some students immediately gravitate toward the logic puzzles and become determined to solve increasingly challenging problems. Others are drawn to the creative possibilities of the Spirograph and discover that their mathematical thinking can be expressed through art. These materials give students different ways to demonstrate their strengths while also encouraging them to develop skills outside their comfort zones.\r\n\r\nThe materials have also created valuable opportunities for collaboration. Students can work together to solve a brain teaser, explain a strategy, compare approaches, or encourage a classmate who is stuck. During Spirograph activities, students share designs and ideas and learn from one another. These interactions build communication skills while reinforcing the idea that there can be multiple ways to approach a challenge.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, these resources have allowed me to provide more students with meaningful enrichment opportunities at the same time. Instead of waiting for a turn with limited materials, students can remain actively engaged in productive, challenging learning. This maximizes instructional time while supporting critical thinking, creativity, perseverance, flexibility, and focus.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping make our classroom a place where challenging learning can also be joyful. Your generosity is helping my students discover that difficult problems are opportunities to think differently, try again, and grow. These brain teasers and Spirograph activities are building not only thoughtful problem-solvers, but confident and resilient learners.","fullyFundedDate":1778015981913,"projectUrl":"project/thinking-in-patterns-building-minds-wit/10227487/","projectTitle":"Thinking in Patterns: Building Minds With Brain Teasers and Spirograph","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sosa","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6590933_orig.jpg?crop=2320,2320,x0,y7&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1630200029705","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6590933"},{"teacherId":6590933,"projectId":10227202,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project, Coding in Motion: Exploring STEM with Sphero Minis! Your generosity is giving my students more opportunities to experience computer science through hands-on exploration, creativity, and problem-solving. These robots are helping turn coding from an abstract concept into something students can see, test, adjust, and experience in real time.\r\n\r\nTechnology has a particularly powerful impact on learning when students are actively using it to create rather than simply watching someone else demonstrate. With the Sphero Minis, my elementary gifted students can use block-based coding to program their robots, navigate mazes, complete challenges, and eventually design their own projects. Students are able to make a plan, write code, test it, observe what happens, and then revise their thinking. This process strengthens logical reasoning and computational thinking while helping students understand that successful problem-solving often involves trial, error, and revision.\r\n\r\nOne of the most exciting aspects of the Sphero Minis is the immediate connection between the students' ideas and the robot's actions. When students write a sequence of commands and watch their Sphero respond, they can instantly see whether their thinking worked. If the robot takes the wrong path or misses a target, students have an authentic problem to solve. They become eager to figure out what happened and what they can change. The excitement of seeing their code come to life keeps students motivated and engaged.\r\n\r\nThe additional robots have also made a significant difference in access to learning. Previously, limited coding tools meant that students sometimes had to wait for an opportunity to participate. With more Sphero Minis available, students can spend more time actively coding and less time waiting. They can work with partners or in small groups, allowing more students to experiment, discuss strategies, and learn from one another. This creates a more inclusive learning environment where every student has a meaningful opportunity to participate.\r\n\r\nI have especially noticed students who enjoy puzzles, challenges, building, and figuring out how systems work becoming deeply engaged with the Sphero Minis. At the same time, students who may become frustrated when their first attempt does not work are learning to approach challenges with greater flexibility. They are beginning to see that debugging is not a sign that they did something wrong—it is an important part of the coding process.\r\n\r\nThese experiences are developing skills that extend well beyond computer science. Students practice perseverance when they need to debug and refine their code, flexible thinking when they change strategies, communication when they explain their ideas to classmates, and self-management when completing multi-step challenges. They are also strengthening executive functioning skills such as planning, sequencing, organization, focus, and goal-directed persistence.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping make these learning experiences possible. Your support is giving my students the opportunity to become creators, problem-solvers, collaborators, and confident young coders. Most importantly, you are helping them discover that challenging problems can be approached with curiosity, creativity, persistence, and a willingness to try again.","fullyFundedDate":1782157985995,"projectUrl":"project/coding-in-motion-exploring-stem-with-sp/10227202/","projectTitle":"Coding in Motion: Exploring STEM with Sphero Minis","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sosa","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6590933_orig.jpg?crop=2320,2320,x0,y7&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1630200029705","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6590933"},{"teacherId":6590933,"projectId":10227183,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project, Driving STEM Curiosity: Coding with Sphero Indi Cars! Your generosity is giving my students greater access to hands-on coding experiences that are building much more than computer science skills. Through movement, exploration, and problem-solving, my students are learning to plan, collaborate, persevere, and think flexibly when faced with challenges.\r\n\r\nTechnology is especially powerful in our classroom when students can actively interact with it rather than simply observe or watch someone else demonstrate. The Sphero Indi cars provide a screen-free way for my gifted elementary students to explore foundational coding concepts by designing pathways, sequencing commands, testing their ideas, and making changes when their cars do not behave as expected. Students can physically see the results of their thinking, which makes abstract ideas like algorithms, sequencing, and cause and effect much easier to understand.\r\n\r\nOne of the greatest impacts of having additional Indi cars is increased access. Previously, our limited number of coding tools meant that students sometimes had to wait for a turn. With additional cars, more students can actively participate at the same time. Instead of waiting on the sidelines, students can work with partners or small groups to design pathways, test solutions, and discuss what they notice. This increased participation keeps students engaged and creates more opportunities for meaningful collaboration.\r\n\r\nMy students are especially excited by the fact that they get to make the cars move using their own ideas. There is something incredibly motivating about designing a pathway, placing the coding tiles, and then watching the Indi car respond. Students quickly become invested in figuring out why a car turned the wrong direction, stopped unexpectedly, or did not complete the pathway they imagined. These moments naturally lead to questions, experimentation, and revision.\r\n\r\nThe students who have especially warmed to this technology are those who enjoy puzzles, movement, building, and figuring out how systems work. I also see students who may initially become frustrated when something does not work develop greater confidence as they learn to approach the challenge differently. Instead of giving up, they begin asking, \"What could I change?\" or \"What should I try next?\" That shift is incredibly valuable.\r\n\r\nThe benefits extend beyond coding. As students work through challenges, they practice perseverance and resilience, flexible thinking, communication, focus, and self-management. They learn that it is okay for an idea not to work the first time and that revising a plan is an important part of success. They are also developing executive functioning skills such as planning, sequencing, organization, and task completion.\r\n\r\nYour support has helped create an environment where my students can be active participants in their learning. They are not simply learning about coding—they are experiencing what it means to think like a coder, problem-solver, and innovator. Thank you for giving my students the tools and opportunities to explore, collaborate, take risks, and discover that challenging problems can be solved through patience, creativity, and perseverance.","fullyFundedDate":1778532172657,"projectUrl":"project/driving-stem-curiosity-coding-with-sphe/10227183/","projectTitle":"Driving STEM Curiosity: Coding with Sphero Indi Cars","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sosa","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6590933_orig.jpg?crop=2320,2320,x0,y7&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1630200029705","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6590933"},{"teacherId":6590933,"projectId":10189248,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project, Cracking the Code: Exploring STEM: Binary Through Creativity and Robotics! Your generosity has given my students the opportunity to explore computer science in a way that is hands-on, creative, collaborative, and meaningful. These resources are helping my gifted elementary students move beyond simply using technology and begin understanding the ideas and processes that make technology work.\r\n\r\nOne of the most exciting aspects of this project is that it makes an abstract concept like binary code tangible for young learners. My students are naturally curious problem-solvers, and they love discovering how things work. Learning that computers communicate using combinations of 0s and 1s gives them a glimpse into the hidden language behind the technology they encounter every day. Rather than learning binary through a worksheet or explanation alone, students can decode messages, experiment with patterns, and then use beads and craft materials to create their own binary keepsakes. Encoding their names or secret messages transforms a challenging computer science concept into something personal and memorable.\r\n\r\nThe technology also provides a wonderful opportunity for students to apply what they are learning. Using the Sphero Mini, students can practice sequencing, algorithms, and basic coding by programming a robot to follow movement patterns and complete challenges. Watching their code produce a physical result is incredibly motivating. When the robot does not behave as expected, students have an authentic reason to troubleshoot, revise their instructions, and try again. These moments help students understand that mistakes are not failures—they are part of the process of learning, creating, and debugging.\r\n\r\nI have already seen how particularly excited some of my students become when learning involves robotics and coding. Students who naturally enjoy puzzles and figuring out how systems work are drawn to the challenge of programming Sphero. Other students are especially engaged by the creative side of the project and enjoy turning binary messages into colorful designs and keepsakes. The combination allows students with different strengths and interests to find a meaningful way to participate while learning the same foundational concepts.\r\n\r\nThis project also encourages collaboration. Students can compare strategies, explain their thinking, test one another's ideas, and work together to solve coding challenges. These interactions strengthen communication and perseverance while giving students opportunities to learn from their peers.\r\n\r\nYour support has made it possible to bring together computer science, mathematics, art, and robotics in one engaging learning experience. The additional instructional resources made possible through this project will also help me provide lessons that are appropriately challenging and differentiated for gifted learners.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, your generosity is helping my students see themselves as creators and innovators. They are learning that they can understand complex ideas, write instructions for technology, solve problems, and create something of their own. Thank you for helping turn the mysterious world of coding into something my students can explore, understand, and enjoy. These are experiences they will carry with them far beyond our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1777590840518,"projectUrl":"project/cracking-the-code-exploring-stem-binar/10189248/","projectTitle":"Cracking the Code: Exploring STEM: Binary Through Creativity and Robotics","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sosa","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6590933_orig.jpg?crop=2320,2320,x0,y7&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1630200029705","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6590933"},{"teacherId":6590933,"projectId":10178448,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom through the STEM in Action: Engaging Minds With Tech Tools project! Your generosity is providing my students with exciting, hands-on opportunities to explore technology in ways that make learning meaningful, challenging, and fun. The Sphero Mini, Snap Circuits Maze, maze games, and masking tape will give my students opportunities to learn by doing, experimenting, collaborating, and solving problems together.\r\n\r\nMany of our students are familiar with technology in their homes, but classroom technology offers a very different experience. Instead of simply using technology for entertainment, my students will use it as a tool for discovery and learning. The Snap Circuits Maze will allow them to investigate how circuits work while developing their ability to analyze, troubleshoot, and persevere when something does not work as expected. With the Sphero Mini, students can explore basic coding concepts, create commands, test their ideas, and make adjustments based on what happens. These experiences help students see that technology is not just something they consume—it is something they can create with.\r\n\r\nWhat excites my students most about these new materials is the opportunity to take control of their own learning. The Sphero Mini is especially exciting because students can immediately see their ideas come to life. They can experiment with movement, coding, and challenges while working with classmates to develop solutions. The Snap Circuits Maze adds another level of hands-on exploration, encouraging students to think carefully about how different components work together. Rather than simply being told how a circuit or code works, students get to investigate, make predictions, test them, and learn from the results.\r\n\r\nI have several students who particularly thrive when presented with new and challenging technology. Many of my students are identified for gifted services at a young age, and they are naturally inquisitive, persistent, and eager to explore ideas beyond the basics. Some students quickly become deeply engaged in figuring out how a new tool works, while others shine when collaborating with classmates and sharing their discoveries. These materials will provide different entry points so students can build on their individual strengths while developing confidence in areas that may be more challenging.\r\n\r\nYour donation also helps us refresh materials that have been heavily used over time. My students have explored many of the resources already available in our classroom, so introducing new tools keeps their curiosity alive and gives them fresh challenges to tackle. The Sphero Mini and Snap Circuits Maze will encourage students to approach problems from multiple perspectives, communicate their thinking, and persevere through trial and error.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, your support sends my students the message that their ideas, creativity, and potential matter. You are helping create a classroom where students can take risks, make mistakes, ask questions, and discover that they are capable of solving complex problems. Thank you for investing in their curiosity and helping them develop the critical-thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and STEM skills they will carry with them into the future.","fullyFundedDate":1775947142123,"projectUrl":"project/stem-in-action-engaging-minds-with-tech/10178448/","projectTitle":"STEM in Action: Engaging Minds With Tech Tools","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sosa","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6590933_orig.jpg?crop=2320,2320,x0,y7&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1630200029705","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6590933"},{"teacherId":5620841,"projectId":9987638,"letterContent":"Our students were so excited to begin using the new classroom materials! The hooks worked perfectly in our student cubbies for holding headphones and have already made our classroom much more organized. They matched our cubbies perfectly and are much sturdier than our previous hooks, which often broke throughout the year. The students were excited to have a special place to keep their headphones safe and easy to access during learning activities.\r\n\r\nThe felt characters quickly became a classroom favorite. Students immediately began using their imaginations to create stories, act out conversations, and collaborate with classmates during play and storytelling activities. It was wonderful to watch their creativity and language skills grow through hands-on learning. The number key tags also worked great for labeling student crayon containers and helping students take responsibility for their own materials each day.\r\n\r\nWe were also excited to receive more than enough felt pieces to continue building our collection next year. Future students will even be able to design and create their own felt characters to add to our classroom storytelling activities. Thank you for supporting our classroom and helping create a more organized, creative, and engaging learning environment for our students!","fullyFundedDate":1774885898564,"projectUrl":"project/bringing-stories-to-life-with-shadows-an/9987638/","projectTitle":"Bringing Stories to Life with Shadows and Felt","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Pargas","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5620841_orig.png?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1610753339159","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-pargas"},{"teacherId":5620841,"projectId":10228064,"letterContent":"Our students were so excited when the new storage cabinets arrived in our classroom! The bright, organized drawers immediately caught their attention, and they were eager to help sort and put away materials. One cabinet is now used for our ELA materials, while the other is used for math materials next to our kidney table. Having the supplies organized and within easy reach has made small group instruction much smoother and more efficient throughout the day.\r\n\r\nThe wooden tops have also become a special place to display books, learning materials, and classroom stuffies that students love to use during reading time. The students enjoy being able to independently access materials, clean up after activities, and quickly find what they need for learning centers and small groups.\r\n\r\nAs we continue preparing for next year, these cabinets will help support hands-on learning, independent work stations, and better classroom organization. The added storage has created a calmer and more functional learning environment for our students, and we are so thankful for your generosity and support!","fullyFundedDate":1777520357921,"projectUrl":"project/keeping-kindergarten-organized/10228064/","projectTitle":"Keeping Kindergarten Organized","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Pargas","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5620841_orig.png?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1610753339159","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-pargas"},{"teacherId":5620841,"projectId":10250847,"letterContent":"Our class used the new resources for our end-of-year Luau celebration, and the students had so much fun! We played limbo, danced to luau music, played tiki ring toss, shared special snacks, and enjoyed water activities together. The reusable water balloons were the biggest hit of the day. The students were so excited when they first saw them and stayed entertained for a long time dipping them into the flamingo pools and reusing them over and over again.\r\n\r\nOne of the best parts was the easy cleanup. There were no tiny balloon pieces left all over the field, which made the activity safer and more environmentally friendly. The students laughed, worked together, and created wonderful memories as we celebrated all of their hard work this year. We are excited to continue using these materials during outdoor activities and class celebrations next year. Thank you for helping make such a joyful and memorable experience possible for our students!","fullyFundedDate":1778261786860,"projectUrl":"project/aloha-celebrating-kindergarten-success/10250847/","projectTitle":"Aloha! Celebrating Kindergarten Success with a Luau","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Pargas","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5620841_orig.png?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1610753339159","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-pargas"},{"teacherId":6590933,"projectId":9977841,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our 5th grade classroom and helping make our \"Geocities\" project come to life! Because of your generosity, my students were able to work collaboratively to design, build, and create incredible geometric cities using hands-on materials and tools.\r\n\r\nOur students used the new resources to explore geometry in a meaningful and creative way. In collaborative groups, students first designed their own geometric nets on paper and carefully planned how the 2D shapes would fold into 3D figures. One especially exciting moment was when students used the chop saw to safely cut cardboard pieces for their designs. They were so focused and proud as they transformed flat nets into cubes, prisms, pyramids, and other geometric solids. The classroom buzzed with excitement as students worked together to turn their shapes into entire collaborative cities complete with buildings, roads, and creative architectural details.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the new materials, they were thrilled. Many immediately began brainstorming ideas for skyscrapers, houses, parks, and landmarks they could include in their cities. Several students who are usually hesitant during math lessons became leaders during the project because they could physically see and build the math concepts we were learning. Their excitement and teamwork were truly amazing to watch.\r\n\r\nThe next steps for our students are to continue expanding their understanding of geometry, scale, measurement, and design through additional collaborative projects. Students will reflect on the mathematical properties of the shapes they created and explain how geometric nets connect to real-world architecture and engineering. We also plan to incorporate writing and presentation skills as groups present their Geocities to classmates and explain the math behind their designs.\r\n\r\nI am incredibly excited about how this project turned out and already cannot wait to improve and use it again with future classes. Seeing students so engaged, creative, and confident has inspired many new ideas for future hands-on STEM and math projects. This experience showed students that math can be interactive, collaborative, and fun, and I look forward to building on this success for years to come.\r\n\r\nYour generosity provided more than just classroom materials — it created opportunities for creativity, collaboration, confidence, and hands-on learning that my students will remember for years to come. Thank you for believing in our classroom and helping our students bring geometry to life!","fullyFundedDate":1769565829327,"projectUrl":"project/power-up-the-creativity/9977841/","projectTitle":"Power Up the Creativity","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sosa","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6590933_orig.jpg?crop=2320,2320,x0,y7&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1630200029705","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6590933"},{"teacherId":3635415,"projectId":9922888,"letterContent":"These new books have already made a meaningful difference in our classroom. While many people think of reading as simply enjoying a story, these texts are helping students build essential literacy skills every day. Students are practicing comprehension, vocabulary development, making predictions, identifying themes, and supporting their thinking with evidence from the text. Many of the books also encourage social-emotional learning by helping students explore empathy, perseverance, kindness, and different perspectives through relatable characters and situations.\r\nSeveral students who were previously hesitant readers are especially connecting with these books. Having access to high-interest, engaging titles has helped build their confidence and willingness to participate. One student who rarely volunteered during reading discussions now eagerly raises their hand to talk about plot twists and favorite characters. Another student has started choosing to read during free time because they finally found books that reflect their interests and experiences. Watching students become more confident, curious, and enthusiastic readers has been one of the most rewarding outcomes of this project.","fullyFundedDate":1772643031321,"projectUrl":"project/help-vary-our-classroom-library-to-promo/9922888/","projectTitle":"Help Vary Our Classroom Library to Promote Reading!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. R.","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3635415_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1472831663455","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3635415"},{"teacherId":5620841,"projectId":10029339,"letterContent":"Our DonorsChoose project had a meaningful and lasting impact on our students. They absolutely loved the dance ribbons. It brought a sense of novelty, creativity, and excitement to our Genius Hour, inspiring students to move, explore, and express themselves in new ways. The Bluey ears were a huge hit and tied in perfectly with our culminating project, where students performed a dance to a Bluey song. This connection made the experience even more engaging and memorable for them.\r\n\r\nThe yoga cards and cushions also played an important role in setting the tone for each session. They provided a calm and focused start to our Genius Hour, helping students regulate their energy, practice mindfulness, and prepare their minds for learning and creativity. Together, these materials created a balanced environment that supported both movement and reflection.\r\n\r\nThank you for your generosity and support! it truly made our club more engaging, joyful, and meaningful for every student involved.","fullyFundedDate":1769638192181,"projectUrl":"project/move-create-and-shine-genius-hour/10029339/","projectTitle":"Move, Create, and Shine: Genius Hour","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Pargas","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5620841_orig.png?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1610753339159","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-pargas"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_82465","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":321,"numTeachers":26,"percentFrplEligible":71,"percentAsian":4,"percentBlack":4,"percentWhite":21,"percentIndigenous":12,"percentLatinx":48,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":8,"gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"12.3:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":67.4,"schoolId":82465,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Arroyo Del Oso Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Arroyo Del Oso Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/new-mexico/albuquerque-public-schools/arroyo-del-oso-elementary-school/82465"}