Thoreau Elementary School in Madison, Wisconsin on DonorsChoose

{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Thoreau Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":23.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":2483975,"projectId":9776094,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous help with this project. Students love the makerspace part of our STEAM class. It's when they get to create things they dream up. We are lucky to have some really amazing creating tools so far, including a piano, building toys, cardboard cutters and now a button maker! Students are very excited to learn to use it and get creating. We will use the button maker this fall when our fourth graders take the state-wide standardized test, encouraging them to persevere and do their best. Our next project is getting some more music instruments for creating, including a drum pad and a DJ mixer. \r\n\r\nThank you!","fullyFundedDate":1760204195322,"projectUrl":"project/boosting-morale-with-buttons/9776094/","projectTitle":"Boosting Morale With Buttons!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Pagel","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2483975_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1451019533209","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/spagel"},{"teacherId":2483975,"projectId":9701209,"letterContent":"This week and next week, our fourth and fifth grade classes are planning and creating their own board games. We played board games, examined all the parts and themes of a board game, and made a plan for our own game. Some of their designs are so creative! One game includes gathering all the parts and pieces to make a sandwich. Next week is going to be a perfect time to introduce my students to the cardboard cutting tools and Chomp saw. They will be able to cut out all the parts and pieces they need for their games. Thank you so much for making this project a reality!","fullyFundedDate":1758596436038,"projectUrl":"project/tools-for-creating/9701209/","projectTitle":"Tools for Creating","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Pagel","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2483975_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1451019533209","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/spagel"},{"teacherId":2483975,"projectId":9264918,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for funding our project! Last year, we started marigolds from seed. Students watched them grow each week when they came to my classroom. They cared for the seedlings and watered them. In May, the seedlings were ready to transplant. \r\n\r\nWe talked about choosing someone in their life who cares for them. It might be a family member, teacher, or friend. Students then decorated plastic pots for their special person. Then, we went outside and enjoyed a planting day. Students transplanted the marigolds into their decorated pots and took them home! \r\n\r\nWe can't wait to complete this project again with our new supplies in the spring. Thank you so much!","fullyFundedDate":1755692387857,"projectUrl":"project/outdoor-learning-seed-planting/9264918/","projectTitle":"Outdoor Learning - Seed Planting!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Pagel","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2483975_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1451019533209","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/spagel"},{"teacherId":1936900,"projectId":9087361,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for contributing to my classroom project. My students were SOOOO excited to receive the new graphic novels! I can barely keep them in my classroom library as they are always in the hands of my students. I've seen students trying new series that they haven't read before and asking to get their hands on the next book in the series. Several of my Spanish speaking students were excited to receive the Spanish versions of these popular books and have gobbled them up like candy! \r\n\r\nI cannot thank you enough! My students are engaged and excited about reading thanks to your generous donation.","fullyFundedDate":1739455258801,"projectUrl":"project/graphic-novels-for-everyone/9087361/","projectTitle":"Graphic Novels for Everyone!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Muzilla (Dabel)","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1936900_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1471104687803","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-dabel"},{"teacherId":2483975,"projectId":8925976,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for funding this project. We already had a few coding robots and my students loved them so much, that I knew if we acquired some more, I would be able to teach a unit on coding and give everyone a chance to explore. Now that we have a set of Bee Bots and Code and Go Mice, we are able to create coding on grids in small groups. Students enjoy working together, problem solving, fixing mistakes or \"bugs\" and learning about coding. They are so engaged during this unit. Thanks for bringing coding to life!","fullyFundedDate":1739455228415,"projectUrl":"project/steam-hands-on-learning-with-coding-robo/8925976/","projectTitle":"Steam Hands-On Learning With Coding Robots, Games and Dance!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Pagel","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2483975_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1451019533209","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/spagel"},{"teacherId":2483975,"projectId":8925977,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping to fund this project. My students are loving these cooperative games. We especially enjoy playing Splurt as a whole group community building game. We sit in a circle and play it together at the beginning on class before starting our lesson. When it's choice time, many students choose to play it again. Rainbow Bunny Bop is also a favorite, as well as Slapburger. We will use the road tape later in the year when we learn paper building and make a small model of our city in the classroom. Best wishes in the new year!","fullyFundedDate":1734947370593,"projectUrl":"project/cooperative-games/8925977/","projectTitle":"Cooperative Games","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Pagel","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2483975_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1451019533209","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/spagel"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_37157","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":398,"numTeachers":38,"percentFrplEligible":35,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":14,"percentWhite":50,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":26,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"10.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":false,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":76.9,"schoolId":37157,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Thoreau Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Thoreau Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/wisconsin/madison-metropolitan-school-district/thoreau-elementary-school/37157"}

About this school

Thoreau Elementary School is an urban public school in Madison, Wisconsin that is part of Madison Metropolitan School District. It serves 398 students in grades Pre-K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 10.5:1. Its teachers have had 83 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Public School

Grades Pre-K - 5

398 Students

38 Teachers

3870 Nakoma Rd

Madison, WI 53711 View local requests

http://www.madison.k12.wi.us

Evidence-based impact

Inspire teachers to stay in the classroom and boost student achievement.¹

Give to this school

Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

Kindergarten teacher at PS81 - Robert J. Christen School in Bronx, NY

Thoreau Elementary School Teachers on DonorsChoose

DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. Each classroom request for funding was created by a classroom teacher and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

See how DonorsChoose works

Thoreau Elementary School Demographics

35%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

41%

of students are Black, Latino, Native American, or Asian

Schools in districts that mainly serve students of color receive substantially less state and local support than similar districts that serve primarily White students. Learn more about this gap, why it exists, and how you can help close it.

Thoreau Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Dec 5, 2025

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.