{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Houston County Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":83.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":5343254,"projectId":9559890,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, my students were able to read Holes and Eleven in small RTI reading groups, creating meaningful opportunities for growth through targeted instruction. These texts introduced important reading skills such as character development, theme, making inferences, and understanding how an author develops conflict and resolution. Students also explored deeper lessons about perseverance, identity, fairness, and the impact of choices—topics that sparked thoughtful discussion and personal connections.\r\n\r\nReading in our classroom during RTI looks collaborative and supportive. Students read aloud, annotate key sections, and pause frequently to clarify vocabulary, ask questions, and discuss meaning. Working in small groups allowed me to provide individualized feedback and scaffold instruction, helping students build confidence and comprehension at their own pace. The shared novels gave students a sense of belonging and accountability, as they worked together toward common reading goals.\r\n\r\nSeveral students who previously struggled with engagement have especially enjoyed these books. Holes captivated readers with its mystery and humor, while Eleven resonated deeply with students through its realistic portrayal of emotions and growing up. Having their own copies made students feel invested in their learning, and many were eager to read ahead and continue discussions beyond group time. Thank you for helping create a reading experience that supports growth, confidence, and a love of reading.","fullyFundedDate":1755741511350,"projectUrl":"project/digging-into-reading-with-holes-and-elev/9559890/","projectTitle":"Digging into Reading with Holes and Eleven","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Mayfield","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5343254_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1525312280077","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/c-mayfield"},{"teacherId":5343254,"projectId":9703039,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, my students were thrilled to use the glowing headbands, light-up wands, and neon party favors to bring math learning to life. When the materials were first introduced, the classroom lit up with excitement—students' eyes widened and they immediately wanted to explore and ask questions. What began as pure joy quickly turned into focused learning as students used the items to practice counting, sorting by color and type, creating graphs, and exploring simple probability through hands-on activities and games.\r\n\r\nOne especially memorable moment was during our \"Glow Math Stations,\" where students rotated through activities that required them to predict outcomes, record data, and explain their thinking. The glowing materials helped make abstract math concepts more concrete and accessible, especially for students who benefit from visual and tactile learning. Even students who are sometimes hesitant with math were eager to participate, collaborate, and problem-solve alongside their classmates.\r\n\r\nThese resources continue to be an important part of our classroom learning. Next, students will use them to extend their understanding of data collection and probability by designing their own simple experiments and graphs. Because of your support, math feels joyful, engaging, and approachable, helping students build confidence while discovering that learning can truly shine. Thank you for helping light the way to meaningful learning experiences.","fullyFundedDate":1763597744691,"projectUrl":"project/light-the-way-to-learning/9703039/","projectTitle":"Light the Way to Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Mayfield","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5343254_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1525312280077","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/c-mayfield"},{"teacherId":8172808,"projectId":9700185,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for donating a class set of Lawn Boy Returns. Your generosity gave our students the opportunity to read a shared text that is both engaging and deeply relevant to their lives. We introduced the book as a way to explore real-world financial literacy through storytelling, and students were immediately hooked by the relatable characters and practical money challenges. Reading together as a class sparked lively discussions about budgeting, responsibility, risk-taking, and decision-making, helping students see finance as something approachable and empowering rather than intimidating.\r\n\r\nAs we read collaboratively, students began applying the book's lessons to their own thinking. Many students commented on how eye-opening it was to see entrepreneurship presented in such an accessible and honest way. Several shared that the story made them feel more confident talking about money and imagining themselves as capable problem-solvers. The financial concepts came alive as students connected the character's experiences to their own goals and ideas.\r\n\r\nInspired by the book, students successfully created their own entrepreneur projects, designing business ideas that reflected creativity, planning, and thoughtful financial choices. They enthusiastically presented their concepts, explaining startup costs, pricing, and potential challenges with pride and confidence. Students frequently mentioned how Lawn Boy Returns helped them understand \"how money really works\" and showed them that anyone can start small and grow something meaningful. Your donation didn't just provide a book—it helped students build financial awareness, confidence, and a belief in their own potential as future entrepreneurs.","fullyFundedDate":1767238822241,"projectUrl":"project/money-moves-learning-business-through-b/9700185/","projectTitle":"Money Moves: Learning Business Through Books!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Stone","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8172808_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1681701055860","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8172808"},{"teacherId":8172808,"projectId":9617823,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the class set of Seedfolks and the accompanying guide. Your generosity has strengthened our learning community and given students a shared text that invites connection, conversation, and compassion. When we introduced the book, students were immediately drawn in by the short, personal chapters and the idea that many different voices could tell one collective story. From the very beginning, the text helped establish a sense of belonging and mutual respect in our classroom.\r\n\r\nWe use Seedfolks in reading circles, whole-class discussions, and reflective writing, allowing students to explore multiple perspectives and consider how individual actions can create meaningful change. Reading in our classroom is active and collaborative—students pause to discuss character motivations, make connections to their own lives, and listen carefully to one another's interpretations. The guide has helped deepen these conversations, encouraging thoughtful questions and compassionate dialogue.","fullyFundedDate":1764692927761,"projectUrl":"project/roots-of-reading-seeds-of-change/9617823/","projectTitle":"Roots of Reading, Seeds of Change","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Stone","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8172808_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1681701055860","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8172808"},{"teacherId":8172808,"projectId":9617861,"letterContent":"Thank you for donating these graphic novels—your generosity puts powerful stories directly into the hands of readers who need them. Through vivid art and relatable characters, these books help readers see the world through someone else's eyes and feel less alone in their own experiences. Each page invites empathy, curiosity, and connection. Because of your support, readers can explore complex feelings in a safe, engaging format. Your donation doesn't just provide books; it helps cultivate compassion and understanding that can last a lifetime.\r\nThese new texts introduce key skills like visual literacy, inference, vocabulary development, and empathy, allowing students to engage deeply with both images and words. In our classroom, reading looks like active discussion, reflection, and connection, as students analyze characters' emotions and experiences together. Graphic novels have been especially powerful for students who may struggle with traditional texts, giving them confidence and a strong sense of belonging as readers. Several students are particularly drawn to these books, eagerly discussing the artwork and relating the stories to their own lives. Because of your generosity, reading has become more inclusive, engaging, and emotionally impactful for every student.","fullyFundedDate":1759260538096,"projectUrl":"project/panels-with-purpose-building-empathy-th/9617861/","projectTitle":"Panels with Purpose: Building Empathy Through Reading","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Stone","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8172808_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1681701055860","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8172808"},{"teacherId":5343254,"projectId":9703016,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, my students were able to read The Wave together as a shared class text, and the impact has been powerful. Through this novel, students explored important lessons about history, group behavior, conformity, and critical thinking. They examined how easily people can be influenced by authority and peer pressure, and we connected these ideas to real historical events as well as situations they see in their own lives. The book sparked thoughtful conversations about responsibility, empathy, and the importance of questioning information rather than blindly following the crowd.\r\n\r\nReading in our classroom became highly interactive and discussion-driven. Students read closely, annotated key moments, and participated in small-group and whole-class discussions where they practiced listening, supporting claims with evidence, and respectfully disagreeing. Many students who are usually quiet found their voices during discussions because the themes felt relevant and engaging. Several students were especially captivated by the psychological aspects of the story and eagerly made connections to modern social media trends and real-world examples of group influence.\r\n\r\nBecause every student had access to their own copy, they were able to fully engage with the text and take ownership of their learning. This project not only strengthened reading comprehension and analytical skills, but also encouraged students to reflect on their own choices and values. Thank you for making this meaningful learning experience possible—your support helped turn reading into a shared journey of insight, reflection, and growth.","fullyFundedDate":1762201408602,"projectUrl":"project/waves-of-change-exploring-history-scie/9703016/","projectTitle":"Waves of Change: Exploring History, Science, and Human Behavior","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Mayfield","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5343254_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1525312280077","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/c-mayfield"},{"teacherId":9016334,"projectId":9695885,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous support in fully funding our STEM kits. Students are actively using these resources to build robots, design and test solar-powered cars, and create working circuits that bring science and engineering concepts to life. One standout classroom moment was watching students troubleshoot a robot that wasn't moving as planned—working together to adjust connections, test solutions, and celebrate when it finally worked. These projects have helped students strengthen problem-solving skills while learning that mistakes are part of the learning process.\r\n\r\nWhen students first saw the STEM kits, their excitement was immediate and contagious. Many were eager to explore the materials, ask questions, and jump right into building. Hands-on projects like these have especially motivated students who learn best by doing, allowing them to stay focused, engaged, and confident as they created something tangible from their own ideas.\r\n\r\nNext, students will continue building on these experiences by refining their designs, documenting their thinking, and connecting their projects to science and engineering standards. They will reflect on what worked, what could be improved, and how real-world engineers approach similar challenges. Your support has given students a meaningful opportunity to explore STEM in an exciting, hands-on way, and we are incredibly grateful for the impact you've made on their learning.","fullyFundedDate":1757528142733,"projectUrl":"project/invent-build-discover-stem-in-action/9695885/","projectTitle":"Invent, Build, Discover: STEM in Action","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Sawyer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9016334_orig.jpg?crop=3737,3737,x1613,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1682518764328","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9016334"},{"teacherId":9016334,"projectId":9695702,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous support in providing our classroom with 3D wooden STEM building kits. Students are actively using these kits to explore engineering concepts such as structure, balance, and design while working collaboratively to build and problem-solve. One memorable classroom moment was watching students test different ways to assemble their designs, make adjustments when pieces didn't fit as expected, and proudly share how they solved challenges through trial and error. These hands-on experiences have helped bring abstract concepts to life in a meaningful and engaging way.\r\n\r\nWhen students first saw the kits, their excitement was immediate. Many eagerly examined the pieces, asked questions about how the designs worked, and couldn't wait to begin building. The opportunity to create something tangible with their own hands motivated even reluctant learners to participate, and students quickly became deeply focused and invested in their projects. The kits sparked curiosity and encouraged perseverance as students worked through challenges together.\r\n\r\nNext, students will continue building on these experiences by refining their designs and connecting their projects to current lessons on engineering and problem-solving. They will reflect on what worked, what didn't, and how improvements can be made—mirroring the real-world engineering design process. Your support has given our students a valuable glimpse into hands-on STEM learning and has inspired creativity, collaboration, and confidence in the classroom. Thank you for making this exciting learning opportunity possible.","fullyFundedDate":1758046732095,"projectUrl":"project/whirl-twist-create-3d-wooden-stem-adv/9695702/","projectTitle":"Whirl, Twist, Create: 3D Wooden STEM Adventures","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Sawyer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9016334_orig.jpg?crop=3737,3737,x1613,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1682518764328","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9016334"},{"teacherId":9016334,"projectId":9695872,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous support in providing our classroom with a Teachers Pay Teachers gift card. While many people use technology daily at home, this resource has shown our students how technology can be a powerful learning tool in school. Through high-quality, teacher-created STEM lessons and activities, students are engaging in hands-on problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity in ways that go far beyond traditional worksheets. These lessons allow students to explore real-world challenges, collaborate with peers, and take ownership of their learning.\r\n\r\nThe most exciting part for students has been the variety and interactivity of the STEM activities available. They love that lessons feel like challenges or experiments rather than assignments, which keeps them motivated and eager to participate. The flexibility of these resources also allows me to meet students at different learning levels, helping each child feel successful while still being challenged.\r\n\r\nSeveral students who were previously hesitant or less confident in STEM subjects have especially warmed to these activities. With engaging visuals, step-by-step guidance, and hands-on exploration, they are more willing to take risks, ask questions, and share their thinking. Your support has helped spark curiosity, build confidence, and create a classroom environment where students are excited to learn every day. Thank you for making such a meaningful impact on our students' learning experience.","fullyFundedDate":1757528649719,"projectUrl":"project/click-download-discover-stem-resource/9695872/","projectTitle":"Click, Download, Discover: STEM Resources That Inspire","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Sawyer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9016334_orig.jpg?crop=3737,3737,x1613,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1682518764328","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9016334"},{"teacherId":10082499,"projectId":9472784,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for contributing to our music classroom! The new white boards and markers have allowed students to have more hands-on experiences in the music classroom. Instead of all of the writing being completed by myself on my board, the students now get to write answers themselves on their own individual boards. The students are also able to practice drawing and writing music notation in a fun and fast way, rather than just using paper and pencil. \r\n\r\nThese boards have created more possibilities for how I facilitate teaching music notation in both my music and band classes. We can turn note and rhythm identification into a game and students are able to interact with each other easier when completing these types of activities. I hope to continue using these boards to educate students on different musical skills and to give the students more ways to interact during lessons.","fullyFundedDate":1755038276283,"projectUrl":"project/little-mozart-music-boards/9472784/","projectTitle":"Little Mozart Music Boards","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Jones","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10082499"},{"teacherId":5343254,"projectId":9272644,"letterContent":"Thanks to your amazing generosity, our classroom is glowing with excitement—literally! The ultra-bright glow sticks, LED foam sticks, and neon supplies have completely transformed the way we celebrate learning.\r\n\r\nWhen I unveiled the glow-in-the-dark materials, the students' faces lit up brighter than the glow sticks themselves! They couldn't stop smiling and talking about how they wanted to \"earn their glow.\" These fun, colorful rewards have become powerful motivators—students are putting in extra effort, showing kindness, and supporting one another to reach classroom goals.\r\n\r\nWe've used the glow items during special celebrations and learning milestones, turning ordinary moments into joyful memories. Every glow stick handed out represents hard work, perseverance, and pride in learning.\r\n\r\nOur next step is to connect these glowing celebrations to goal-setting and reflection activities, encouraging students to recognize not just their achievements, but the teamwork and effort that got them there.\r\n\r\nThank you for lighting the way for our classroom and helping every student glow big with confidence and enthusiasm. Your support has truly brightened our learning community!","fullyFundedDate":1752758454323,"projectUrl":"project/glow-big-or-go-home-lighting-the-way-to/9272644/","projectTitle":"Glow Big or Go Home: Lighting the Way to Success","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Mayfield","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5343254_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1525312280077","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/c-mayfield"},{"teacherId":5343254,"projectId":9272506,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our classroom has been glowing—literally! The LED Hawaiian leis and glow-in-the-dark bead necklaces have brought so much excitement and joy to our celebrations of student success.\r\n\r\nWhen I first surprised the class with the glow materials, their faces lit up with pure delight. Students were cheering, laughing, and immediately talking about how they could earn their own glowing rewards. It was incredible to see their motivation and pride shine as bright as the lights themselves.\r\n\r\nWe've been using the leis and necklaces to recognize milestones in academics, kindness, and teamwork. Every time a student earns one, it sparks even more positive energy across the room. These glowing incentives have transformed our classroom into a space that radiates encouragement, effort, and aloha spirit.\r\n\r\nNext, we'll be tying these rewards into our goal-setting activities—helping students reflect on their progress and celebrate the little wins that lead to big success.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping our classroom shine bright! Your support made this joyful, motivating experience possible.","fullyFundedDate":1752758444553,"projectUrl":"project/shine-bright-celebrating-student-succes/9272506/","projectTitle":"Shine Bright: Celebrating Student Success with Glow and Aloha!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Mayfield","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5343254_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1525312280077","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/c-mayfield"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_71223","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":317,"numTeachers":13,"percentFrplEligible":26,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":2,"percentWhite":84,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":4,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"24.4:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":false,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"RURAL","ncesMetroType":"RURAL_DISTANT"},"inStateSupporters":16.1,"schoolId":71223,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Houston County Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Houston County Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/tennessee/houston-county-school-district/houston-co-middle-school/71223"}