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This teacher needs your help!

Mrs. Martinez from Springdale, AR is requesting educational kits & games through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Mrs. Martinez is requesting

Building Classroom Community and Fostering Creativity with Soft Starts

Help me give my students soft start supplies to help them ease into the school day

  • 1 donor
  • $773 still needed

expires Nov 22

  • 1 donor
  • $773 still needed
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Celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month

Celebrate Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month

This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.

My Project

A soft start in school is a gentle and peaceful way for students to transition into the school day and ease into learning. It promotes a positive atmosphere and sense of community by allowing a gradual and flexible beginning, where students can engage in calming, low-stress activities instead of jumping straight into academic work or structured lessons. This approach helps create a welcoming classroom environment, improving students' focus and readiness for learning.

By providing students with puzzles, games, dot markers, stickers, and relaxation tools – students aren’t immediately hit with a litany of expectations and assignments as soon as they walk through the door.

This promotes a smooth transition into the learning environment. This simple yet powerful technique benefits both students and teachers, fostering a conducive atmosphere for effective teaching and learning.

One significant advantage of a soft start is the decrease in anxiety and stress in the classroom. When students enter a classroom and are immediately bombarded with academic tasks or assessments, it can be overwhelming. A gentle entry point, however, allows students to ease into their learning environment. This is especially beneficial for students who may experience anxiety or exhibit school-avoidant behavior.

Mrs. Martinez
Grades PreK-2

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Wakestar - 24 Pack LED Light Up Bumpy Rings Party Favors For Kids Prizes Box Toys For Birthday Classroom Rewards Treasure Box Prizes Toys Glow Party Supplies • Amazon Business $19.99 2 $39.98
Regular Dot Art Painters - Set of 6 • Lakeshore Learning Materials $19.99 2 $39.98
2000 Pcs Cute Stickers for Kids, Water Bottle Stickers for Teens, Kawaii Vinyl Phone Laptop Skateboard Animal Waterproof Stickers, Bulk Aesthetic Sticker Packs for Boys Girls Teacher • Amazon Business $38.69 1 $38.69
600 Pack Party Favors for Kids 8-12, Fidget Toys Set Sensory Toys Anxiety for Kids and Adults Autism Birthday Gift Classroom Prizes Treasure Box Goodie Bag Stuffers Halloween Christmas Stocking • Amazon Business $29.69 1 $29.69
2 Pcs Magnetic Book Shelf for Whiteboard Magnetic Shelf Metal Floating Book Shelves for Kids Room Magnetic Book Display Shelf Magnetic Book Shelf for Kids Room Teacher Whiteboard Classroom (White) • Amazon Business $24.99 1 $24.99
Hasbro Gaming The Game of Life: Super Mario Edition Board Game for Kids Ages 8 and Up, Play Minigames, Collect Stars, Battle Bowser • Amazon Business $23.99 1 $23.99
Ravensburger Sea Turtle Floor Puzzle - 100 Piece • Kaplan Early Learning Company $20.66 1 $20.66
The Magical Yet (hardcover picture book) • DonorsChoose Featured Favorites $20.00 1 $20.00
Crayola Take Note! Dry Erase Markers, Chisel Tip, Assorted, Set of 12, White • School Specialty $18.44 1 $18.44
Sensory Playtivity Squishy Sensory Discs, Set of 3 • School Specialty $18.37 1 $18.37
Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story (hardcover picture book) • DonorsChoose Featured Favorites $18.00 1 $18.00
200PCS Teens Hero Stickers for Water Bottles Superhero Stickers for Boys Teens Adults Waterproof Vinyl Stickers Bulk for Skateboard Luggage Laptops Bumper Comic Legends Theme Party Supplies • Amazon Business $8.59 2 $17.18
Lakeshore Dinosaurs Floor Puzzle • Lakeshore Learning Materials $16.99 1 $16.99
My Body Sends a Signal: Helping Kids Recognize Emotions & Express Feelings - Resilient Kids (social emotional learning paperback; calming corner) • DonorsChoose Featured Favorites $16.00 1 $16.00
Crayola Take Note! Chisel Tip Dry-Erase Markers - 12 Count • Kaplan Early Learning Company $15.26 1 $15.26
Bananagrams My First : Multi-Award Winning Kids Spelling Board Game For Ages 4+ • Amazon Business $14.91 1 $14.91
80Pcs Party Favors for Kids 4-8, Kawaii Squishies Mochi Squishy Toy Bulk Fidget Sensory Toys Birthday Gifts for Boys Girls Goodie Bag Christmas Stocking Stuffers Treasure Box Classroom Prizes • Amazon Business $14.39 1 $14.39
Just Now I Feel Angry: A Kids Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Book about Anger and Frustration Feelings Awareness, Self-Management, Mindfulness and ... (Feeling Big Emotions Picture Books) • Amazon Business $12.99 1 $12.99
Hasbro Gaming Candy Land Kingdom Of Sweet Adventures Board Game For Kids Ages 3 & Up (Amazon Exclusive) • Amazon Business $12.99 1 $12.99
Hasbro Gaming Chutes and Ladders Board Game for 2 to 4 Players Kids Ages 3 and Up (Amazon Exclusive) • Amazon Business $12.99 1 $12.99
600 PCS Cute Stickers for Kids, Water Bottle Stickers Waterproof Vinyl Stickers for Students Scrapbook Laptop Classroom Teachers Prizes Kawaii Sticker Packs for Kids Teens Girls • Amazon Business $12.99 1 $12.99
YEALQU 30PCS Random Different Pencil Topper Decoations Cute PVC Pencil Toppes Lovely Black Clip Pencil Decoration Accessories for Pupil/Junior Students Gifts Awards • Amazon Business $11.99 1 $11.99
Hasbro Twister Party Classic Board Game for 2 or More Players,Indoor and Outdoor Game for Kids 6 and Up,Packaging May Vary • Amazon Business $11.98 1 $11.98
Hasbro Gaming Connect 4 Classic Grid,4 in a Row Game,Strategy Board Games for Kids,2 Player .for Family and Kids,Ages 6 and Up • Amazon Business $9.99 1 $9.99
WSICSE 50 Pcs Pen Toppers Cute PVC Pencil Toppers for Kids Bulk Pencil Clips Lovely Pencil Charms Decoration Accessories Classroom Reward School Prize Supplies Small Gifts for Students • Amazon Business $9.99 1 $9.99
300 PCS Stickers Pack (50-850Pcs/Pack), Colorful VSCO Waterproof Stickers, Cute Aesthetic Stickers. Laptop, Water Bottle, Phone, Skateboard Stickers for Teens Girls Kids, Vinyl Sticker. • Amazon Business $9.99 1 $9.99
ZYNSHE Washi Tape Set of 12 Rolls of 15 mm Wide Washy Tape Cute Decorative Tape for Journaling, Scrapbooking, Crafts, Bullet Journals, Planners, DIY Decor & Craft Supplies for Adults & Kids (Retro) • Amazon Business $9.95 1 $9.95
Apakkai Stickers for Kids, 600Pcs Water Bottle Stickers for Teens, Cute Vinyl Waterproof Aesthetic Scrapbook Halloween Stickers Pack for Laptop Computer, Kawaii Animal Stickers for Boys Girls Adults • Amazon Business $8.99 1 $8.99
Zddaoole 60 Pcs Cute Pencil Topper Decoration, Different Pencil Clip Designs, Suitable for School Prize, Classroom Reward, Gift Idea • Amazon Business $8.99 1 $8.99
300Pcs Aesthetic Stickers for Kids Teens, Boho Water Bottle Stickers,Cute Bulk Kawaii Stickers, Waterproof Vinyl Preppy Laptop Phone Guitar Stickers for Girls Gifts for Kids • Amazon Business $8.99 1 $8.99
Lined Sticky Notes 4X6 in Pastel Ruled Post Stickies Colorful Super Sticking Memo Pads, 45 sheets/pad, 6 Pads/Pack • Amazon Business $8.95 1 $8.95
Hasbro Gaming Trouble Board Game for Kids Ages 5 and Up 2-4 Players (Packaging may vary) • Amazon Business $8.63 1 $8.63
Zddaoole 45 Pcs Pencil Topper Decorations,Different Cute Pencil Clips,Lovely Pencil Accessories,Bulk Pen Toppers Charm for Kids Students School Gifts,Prize,Reward • Amazon Business $6.99 1 $6.99
100 PCS Water Bottle Stickers for Kids Teens Girls Adults, Aesthetic Cute Vinyl Waterproof Vsco Cool Stickers, Laptop Scrapbook Skateboard Computer Car Sticker Packs • Amazon Business $6.29 1 $6.29
100Pcs Self Adhesive Magnets Dots for Crafts Round Peel and Stick Magnets with Adhesive Backing Flexible Small Sticky Magnets for Classroom, DIY Projects, Office • Amazon Business $5.42 1 $5.42
SHARPIE Flip Chart Markers, Bullet Tip, Assorted Colors, is an 8 Pack set perfect for Offices and Classroom Presentations • Amazon Business $5.33 1 $5.33
Paper Mate Arrowhead Pink Pearl Cap Erasers, 144 Count • Amazon Business $5.17 1 $5.17
20Pcs Sports Pencil Topper Decorations, Sports Ball Pencil Clip for Kids Students School Gifts (Sport) • Amazon Business $4.99 1 $4.99

Materials cost

$582.11

Vendor shipping charges

 $6.53

Sales tax

 $48.02

3rd party payment processing fee

$8.73

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$675.39

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$119.19

Total project goal

$794.58

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $794.58

1 Donor

-$20.00

Donations toward project cost

-$19.00

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$1.00

Excluded support for DonorsChoose

-$2.35

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $772.22

Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.

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

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