{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Sacramento Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":35.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8255210,"projectId":10059561,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity in bringing this \"literary road trip\" to life for my students. Because of your support, our classroom has been transformed into a hub of historical inquiry. Watching my students unbox these brand-new copies of Clean Getaway and What Was the Civil Rights Movement? was a highlight of our year; they were genuinely moved to know that people they have never met invested in their education and their voices.\r\n\r\nThe impact of these texts on our daily reading life has been profound. In our classroom, reading is an active, social experience. We aren't just decoding words; we are \"fact-checking\" Scoob's fictional journey against the historical records found in our non-fiction texts and connecting it to our own, present day experiences. This dual-text approach has allowed my students to build sophisticated analytical skills. They are learning to navigate the complexities of the Jim Crow South and the Green Book, moving beyond a surface-level understanding of history to grapple with \"the why\" behind our country's evolution. We have used these resources to launch Socratic seminars where students lead the discussion, debating themes of justice, family secrets, and identity with impressive empathy and insight.\r\n\r\nThis project has been a particular game-changer for my reluctant readers. For some students, a dense history textbook can feel like an insurmountable wall, but the relatable voice of Nic Stone's protagonist has acted as a bridge. I've watched students who previously struggled to stay engaged become the first to raise their hands to share a discovery they made on Scoob's map. By providing accessible yet high-interest materials, you have ensured that every student, regardless of their starting point, feels empowered to contribute their brilliance to our community. You haven't just provided books; you've provided the \"engine\" for a generation of thinkers to understand their past and write their own futures.","fullyFundedDate":1770092820809,"projectUrl":"project/road-trip-to-justice-exploring-our-nati/10059561/","projectTitle":"Road Trip to Justice: Exploring Our Nation’s History","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sandgren","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8255210_orig.png?crop=833,833,x0,y322&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1650656876481","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8255210"},{"teacherId":8255210,"projectId":10059610,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my gratitude for your incredible generosity in funding our \"Mission Control: Launching Hands-On Space Exploration in Our Classroom\" project. In a world where science can often feel abstract or confined to a textbook, your support has allowed my students to hold the universe in their hands.\r\n\r\nWhen the boxes first arrived and we began unboxing the inflatable planets and LEGO models, the energy in the room was electric. One particularly introverted student said, \"Is it everyone's birthday today or something?\". The planet squishy balls were an instant hit, providing a tactile way for my kinesthetic learners to engage with the celestial bodies we had only seen in photos. Seeing their faces light up with pure wonder when using the ViewFinder reminded me exactly why I became an educator—you didn't just provide \"stuff\"; you provided a sense of awe.\r\n\r\nThese materials have transformed our classroom into a laboratory where students feel like real explorers. The \"Aha!\" moments are happening daily as they move from theory to physical discovery. Moving forward, our next step is a comprehensive \"Solar System Gallery Walk.\" Students will use the 3D models they've assembled to create their own models. These models will teach younger grades about predictable patterns in our universe such as constellations, shadows, seasons and day/night. Your contribution has laid the foundation for a unit of inquiry-based learning that has brought pure joy to our classroom. Thank you for investing in these young scientists and for proving to them that their curiosity is worth supporting.","fullyFundedDate":1770115619486,"projectUrl":"project/mission-control-launching-hands-on-spac/10059610/","projectTitle":"Mission Control: Launching Hands-On Space Exploration in Our Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sandgren","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8255210_orig.png?crop=833,833,x0,y322&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1650656876481","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8255210"},{"teacherId":9448119,"projectId":9863617,"letterContent":"Thank you for bringing light and lego-fun to our classroom! \r\n\r\nThe kids love the lamps and they make for a calming ambience since we don't use the overhead fluorescent lights anymore. You can really feel a difference in the comfort of the room. \r\n\r\nAlso, the kids have been loving the Legos! They have opportunities to build something of Legos each week and some are even displayed in the library hall book case. The students are extra excited to use them for this reason. \r\n\r\nAs a teacher, I appreciate knowing that when my students have a need the Donors Choose community always steps up and supports their social emotional and academic learning.","fullyFundedDate":1762122431528,"projectUrl":"project/lights-and-legos/9863617/","projectTitle":"Lights and Legos!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Zumwalt","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9448119_orig.jpg?crop=3648,3648,x0,y231&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1707349464411","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-azumwalt"},{"teacherId":9448119,"projectId":9965881,"letterContent":"Students have so enjoyed this book and the story of an immigrant. The book is culturally relevant and gave students a chance to gain perspective on a current topic. We used the post its to practice annotating and using out \"stop and jots\" to develop bigger ideas about the theme, characters, plot and conflict. \r\n\r\nWith the books and post its, I could slow down our comprehension processing so students could build ideas. We read, reread, and thought about key moments in the text. This process will be important as students graduate to middle school and begin to read much more complex and lengthy texts. \r\n\r\nIn preparation for the class read aloud, we practiced with shorter stories and excerpts by Langston Hughes and other authors. (see pictures)\r\n\r\nI am so grateful to our Donors Choose community. I have been lucky to receive funding so that my classroom can still access fun, engaging content in a calm and supportive environment.","fullyFundedDate":1767210419718,"projectUrl":"project/kindness-and-empathy-in-the-hands-of-stu/9965881/","projectTitle":"Kindness and Empathy in the Hands of Students","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Zumwalt","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9448119_orig.jpg?crop=3648,3648,x0,y231&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1707349464411","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-azumwalt"},{"teacherId":8255210,"projectId":9926796,"letterContent":"Since the arrival of the Generation Genius subscription and hands on science kits, our classroom has transformed into a hub of active discovery. While many of us use technology at home for entertainment, in our classroom, it serves as a bridge to the world. These tools allow my students to move beyond being passive consumers of information; they are now researchers and creators. For example, instead of just reading about electricity in a textbook, they are using this subscription the science behind electricity as well as explore the concepts through building circuits, interacting with magnets, and programming magnetic robots. \r\n\r\nThe most exciting part for the students has been the sense of agency and ownership. There is a visible spark in the room when the theme song to the videos comes on. The science kits have turned \"work\" into a series of small, rewarding wins.\r\n\r\nI've been particularly moved by how this has helped students who are reluctant to engage in math and science. One student, who often feels overwhelmed by traditional reading assignments, has completely opened up by showing his understanding through building and engineering. Having the right tools and technology has given them a voice they didn't know they had, allowing them to share their brilliance without the frustration of a blank page.","fullyFundedDate":1765504159205,"projectUrl":"project/interactive-math-and-science-lessons-for/9926796/","projectTitle":"Interactive Math and Science Lessons for All!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sandgren","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8255210_orig.png?crop=833,833,x0,y322&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1650656876481","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8255210"},{"teacherId":8255210,"projectId":9858937,"letterContent":"On behalf of my entire 5th-grade class, I want to express my deepest gratitude for your incredible generosity. The arrival of these new books was the highlight of our week, and seeing the students' faces light up as they unboxed the class set was a moment I wish you could have witnessed. Your support does more than just fill our shelves; it provides the essential tools for these young minds to transition from learning to read to reading to learn.\r\n\r\nWhile we all share a love for a good story, using these books as teaching tools allows us to dive into complex literacy skills. With this specific set, we are moving beyond simple plot summaries to focus on perspective-taking and character analysis. My students are currently learning how to track a character's internal growth over time and how to use textual evidence to support their theories about a book's deeper meaning. These texts provide the perfect level of \"productive struggle\"—challenging enough to expand their vocabulary and critical thinking, but engaging enough to keep them turning the pages. \r\n\r\nI've been particularly excited to see the interest and engagement that a few of my \"reluctant readers\" have experienced with the graphic novel and traditional novel combination. One student, who used to find any excuse to wander during independent reading, is so engrossed in the City of Ember that he has the book ready to go long before it's time to read. Seeing that spark of genuine connection to literature is the greatest gift a teacher can receive, and it wouldn't have been possible without your help.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in our classroom and for believing in the power of a great book.","fullyFundedDate":1762214495155,"projectUrl":"project/ignite-curiosity-help-us-read-the-city/9858937/","projectTitle":"Ignite Curiosity: Help Us Read The City of Ember","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sandgren","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8255210_orig.png?crop=833,833,x0,y322&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1650656876481","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8255210"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_88205","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":255,"numTeachers":19,"percentFrplEligible":67,"percentAsian":8,"percentBlack":10,"percentWhite":32,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":32,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"13.4:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":64.4,"schoolId":88205,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Sacramento Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Sacramento Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/oregon/parkrose-school-district-3/sacramento-elementary-school/88205"}