{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Grimsrud Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":18.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9579349,"projectId":9279762,"letterContent":"The new room dividers and bins have completely transformed how my students learn and work each day! With these resources, I was able to create individualized workstations for each student, giving them a structured, organized space that supports focus and independence—something especially important for my students with autism. When the dividers and bins first arrived, the students were so curious and excited to see their new \"personal work areas.\" One student proudly called his station his \"office,\" and immediately began organizing his tasks in the labeled bins. These materials have made our work system routines much smoother and more effective, helping students transition between activities with less anxiety. Our next steps include building on this independence by teaching students how to set up and manage their own work bins each morning—an important skill that encourages responsibility and confidence both in and out of the classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1746785472794,"projectUrl":"project/classroom-and-station-organization/9279762/","projectTitle":"Classroom and Station Organization","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Smith","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9579349_orig.jpg?crop=1055,1055,x240,y500&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1719601005584","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9579349"},{"teacherId":9579349,"projectId":9256428,"letterContent":"The new wall-mounted bubble lamp has quickly become one of the most loved additions to our classroom! For my students with autism, this sensory tool provides a calming and visually engaging experience that helps them regulate their emotions and focus better during learning activities. The gentle movement of the bubbles and the soft changing colors create a peaceful atmosphere, especially helpful during breaks or moments when students feel overwhelmed. What excites them most is choosing their favorite color mode and watching the bubbles rise—it's both soothing and mesmerizing. One student in particular, who often struggles with sensory overload, now goes to the bubble lamp area to self-regulate before rejoining group activities. This simple piece of technology has made a huge difference in helping students feel safe, calm, and ready to learn each day.","fullyFundedDate":1746785728259,"projectUrl":"project/sensory-bubble-lamp/9256428/","projectTitle":"Sensory Bubble Lamp","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Smith","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9579349_orig.jpg?crop=1055,1055,x240,y500&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1719601005584","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9579349"},{"teacherId":9579349,"projectId":9279823,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our classroom has been transformed into a more comfortable and focused learning environment. The snacks you provided have made a tremendous difference for my students with autism—helping them stay calm, engaged, and ready to learn throughout the day. One special moment was seeing their excitement when the snack bin was first introduced; their smiles and enthusiasm said it all! These simple snacks have become a valuable tool for managing sensory needs and maintaining routines, especially during transitions and group activities. As we continue our lessons on communication and social skills, these snacks serve as both motivation and comfort, helping each student feel supported and ready to do their best every day.","fullyFundedDate":1746487743550,"projectUrl":"project/classroom-snacks/9279823/","projectTitle":"Classroom Snacks","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Smith","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9579349_orig.jpg?crop=1055,1055,x240,y500&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1719601005584","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9579349"},{"teacherId":9579349,"projectId":9132481,"letterContent":"In my classroom, focusing on fine motor skill development through educational games has had a powerful impact on student learning. Many of my students struggle with tasks like writing, cutting, buttoning, or even grasping objects—skills that are foundational not just for academics, but for independence in daily life. By integrating fine motor activities into our learning games, I've seen meaningful progress that goes beyond just \"fun time.\"\r\n\r\nThe games make the work feel less like therapy and more like play. Whether it's using tweezers to sort pom-poms by color, tracing letters in sand, lacing beads to form patterns, or playing turn-taking board games that require manipulating pieces, these activities develop hand strength, coordination, and dexterity without students even realizing they're building essential skills.\r\n\r\nWhat surprised me most was how fine motor activities enhanced focus and engagement across subjects. When students are physically involved in a task—moving pieces, coloring, building—they stay more attentive and are more motivated to complete it. This physical connection to learning helps concepts \"stick\" better.\r\n\r\nAcademic growth followed suit. Fine motor development has supported improvements in handwriting, scissor use, and the ability to participate in classroom routines. I've also seen stronger pre-writing skills in my early learners, giving them a more confident foundation for literacy.\r\n\r\nSocially, educational games brought out incredible interactions. As students played together, they practiced turn-taking, sharing, requesting help, and celebrating each other's successes. The games naturally encouraged collaboration and communication in a way that felt organic and low-pressure.\r\n\r\nOverall, integrating fine motor development into our academic routine has created a more well-rounded and supportive learning environment. It's helped bridge the gap between physical and academic development, making learning more hands-on, accessible, and effective for my students.","fullyFundedDate":1740946842533,"projectUrl":"project/enhancing-learning-through-fine-motor-sk/9132481/","projectTitle":"Enhancing Learning Through Fine Motor Skill Development and Educational Games","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Smith","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9579349_orig.jpg?crop=1055,1055,x240,y500&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1719601005584","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9579349"},{"teacherId":9579349,"projectId":9114380,"letterContent":"In my classroom, Adapted Book Creation Materials have made a noticeable difference in how my students interact with reading. For many of my learners, traditional books were overwhelming—too much text, not enough support, and not engaging enough to hold their attention. Once I began using adapted books tailored to their needs, I saw a huge shift.\r\n\r\nEngagement skyrocketed. Students who previously struggled to stay focused during reading time began to actively participate. The visual supports, interactive pieces, and simplified language helped them understand the content better and feel successful. They were no longer just observing—they were doing.\r\n\r\nFor my non-verbal and minimally verbal students, these books became a communication tool. With the addition of picture symbols and matching tasks, they could show comprehension, answer questions, and even start initiating interactions around the story. That kind of growth was powerful.\r\n\r\nBehavior improved, too. When students are engaged and feel capable, they're less frustrated. The adapted materials gave them a way to express themselves, follow along, and meet goals—without the stress that often comes with more traditional materials.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, these materials gave my students independence. With visual prompts and clear structure, some students were able to complete reading activities with minimal assistance for the first time. That sense of achievement boosted their confidence and made them excited to learn.\r\n\r\nOverall, adapted book creation has transformed my classroom into a more inclusive, responsive, and empowering space where every student—regardless of ability—has a chance to thrive in literacy.","fullyFundedDate":1740105323976,"projectUrl":"project/adapted-book-creation-materials/9114380/","projectTitle":"Adapted Book Creation Materials","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Smith","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9579349_orig.jpg?crop=1055,1055,x240,y500&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1719601005584","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9579349"},{"teacherId":9579349,"projectId":8749478,"letterContent":"When my students first saw the mini bubble lamps, sensory pillows, and mini fake aquarium, their reactions were pure excitement! They were drawn to the calming movement of the bubbles in the lamps and the gentle, rhythmic sounds of the aquarium. We immediately integrated these sensory tools into our calming corner, where students can go to self-regulate when they feel overwhelmed. The sensory pillows provide a comfortable and soothing space for students to relax and refocus. The mini fake aquarium became a great addition to our sensory breaks, as students love to watch the colorful fish \"swim,\" which helps them calm their minds and reduce stress during the school day. \r\n\r\n My students loved the opportunity to explore these new tools, and it was amazing to see how they used them to improve focus and emotional regulation. The materials have created a more inclusive and supportive classroom environment, allowing students to engage in their learning in a way that is calming and interactive.","fullyFundedDate":1735239305009,"projectUrl":"project/visual-sensory-materials/8749478/","projectTitle":"Visual Sensory Materials","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Smith","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9579349_orig.jpg?crop=1055,1055,x240,y500&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1719601005584","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9579349"},{"teacherId":9579349,"projectId":8563097,"letterContent":"My students were absolutely thrilled when they first saw the new materials, especially the mini light table! The excitement was immediate as they eagerly explored how the light table could enhance their learning. It became a focal point of our classroom, sparking curiosity and creative exploration. We used it for a project where students traced shapes and letters using translucent shapes, which helped improve their fine motor skills while also providing a sensory-rich experience. The glow of the light table made the learning process feel fun and magical, drawing in even our most reluctant learners. The other adapted materials, like tactile letters and sensory-friendly tools, made lessons more accessible and engaging for my students.\r\n\r\nThe reaction was a mix of joy and wonder as students interacted with the materials, and it quickly became clear that these resources were not only enhancing their learning but also increasing their focus and participation. The mini light table, in particular, allowed us to bring hands-on learning to life in a way that was visually stimulating and interactive. My students, who often struggle with traditional materials, were able to engage more meaningfully with lessons, and I noticed a boost in their confidence and enthusiasm for learning. It's been a game-changer for them, and I'm excited to see how these resources continue to support their growth.","fullyFundedDate":1725743677566,"projectUrl":"project/sensory-light-table/8563097/","projectTitle":"Sensory Light Table","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Smith","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9579349_orig.jpg?crop=1055,1055,x240,y500&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1719601005584","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9579349"},{"teacherId":9579349,"projectId":8749538,"letterContent":"The \"There Was an Old Lady\" books have been an amazing addition to our classroom, as they introduce a variety of skills in a fun and engaging way! These books help students with sequencing, predicting, and recalling details, as the repetitive structure encourages them to anticipate what happens next. The rhythm and rhyming patterns also support phonemic awareness, helping students develop early literacy skills like letter-sound recognition and word patterns. In addition to these foundational skills, the colorful illustrations and playful storytelling encourage student engagement and participation. We've also used these books to work on following directions and improving social-emotional skills, as students relate to the characters and situations in the stories.\r\n\r\nReading in my classroom is an interactive experience where students participate by predicting what happens next in the story, pointing to pictures, and using gestures to match the actions in the text. Many of my students, especially those who benefit from repetitive learning and visual aids, have really connected with the \"There Was an Old Lady\" books. One student, in particular, who is more tactile and visual, loves to act out parts of the story with props like stuffed animals or hats, and this helps bring the book to life for them. Another student, who struggles with focus, finds the rhythm and repetition of these books calming and engaging, and has shown a lot of excitement when it's time to read them. It's heartwarming to see the excitement these books bring and how they help my students connect with reading in a way that feels fun and approachable.","fullyFundedDate":1727960188867,"projectUrl":"project/adapted-learning-materials/8749538/","projectTitle":"Adapted Learning Materials","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Smith","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9579349_orig.jpg?crop=1055,1055,x240,y500&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1719601005584","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9579349"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_79771","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":180,"numTeachers":17,"percentFrplEligible":45,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":6,"percentWhite":58,"percentIndigenous":5,"percentLatinx":7,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"10.6:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":false,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":81.3,"schoolId":79771,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Grimsrud Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Grimsrud Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/north-dakota/bismarck-public-school-district/grimsrud-elementary-school/79771"}