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This teacher needs your help!

Mr. Firestein from Tarzana, CA is requesting educational kits & games through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Mr. Firestein is requesting

Busy Hands, Busy Minds

Help me give my students a warm, collaborative, and playful environment from which they may wrestle with the most complex problems of our time.

  • $600 goal

Hooray! This project is fully funded

Hooray! This project is fully funded

Keep the momentum going! Make a donation to Mr. Firestein for his next project!

Help Mr. Firestein

Keep the momentum going! Make a donation to Mr. Firestein for his next project!

My Students

My high-achieving, college-bound students are inquisitive, reflective, and artistic. They are hungry to learn in an environment that promotes equity, curiosity, and play. My school is a unique public school experience, as our campus is home to grades 4-12. Our faculty is committed to its students and their success on a campus that is known for its true sense of community and life-long relationships.

My challenge is to encourage the development of the interior lives of young people through writing and literature.

One way to do this is by enriching that curriculum with skills and experiences that expose how literature is related to art, science, philosophy, theater, technology, and their own lives.

My Project

This year, my AP students are wrestling with the subject of Language, uncovering problems that arise in the world that they learn to explore through the critical lenses of race theory, sociobiology, psychology, aesthetics, culture, and economics.

Unlocking the potential of my students requires encouraging not just their cognitive growth but their creative imagination. 

This project was inspired by some of the best thinking-labs I've seen in the private sector, who remember that creative types thrive when they are allowed to play.

The resources I'd like are toys. Really. I'm asking for toys. I want to put them in the hands of my AP Seminar students: the top 1.5% of our school. These are the students who already excel academically, but I'm searching for ways to push the throttle even further.

Putting toys in the hands of pods of critical learners fosters the free development of their bodies in a safe and playful environment. It is in this space -- where silly meets serious -- that conventional approaches to problem-solving are challenged. I want the free movement of play done with their hands to parallel the spirit of play in their approaches to learning.

Most of their initial work is done in pods that are reminiscent of a maker space: free-play allowing for the free flow of thought. I'd like to see materials available in my room that encourages kind, open communication while promoting teamwork and the spirit of collaborative growth.

Mr. Firestein Soces Magnet School Grades 9-12

Equity Focus

At this school, more than 50% of students are Black, Latino, and/or Native American, and more than 50% come from low-income households. Learn how your donation to this school supports a more equitable education.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

More about Mr. Firestein

Tarzana, CA View local requests

More than half of students from low‑income households Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more

30 students impacted 13donors

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Smilemakers Treasure Chests Mega • Quill.com $99.89 1 $99.89
Rubik's Cube 3 x 3 Puzzle Game for Kids Ages 8 and Up • Amazon Business $9.84 4 $39.36
Sensory Toys Set 32 Pcs., Fidget Toy Bundle for Stress Relief, Anti-Anxiety, Relaxing, and Calming for Kids and Adults, Sensory Fidgets Hand Therapy Pack for Boys and Girls with Autism, ADD, and ADHD • Amazon Business $16.95 2 $33.90
Spin Master Perplexus Original Maze Game • Amazon Business $25.00 1 $25.00
ThinkMax Speed Cube Set, 6 Pack Magic Cube Bundle - 2x2x2 3x3x3 Pyramid Megaminx Skew Cube Magic Rainbow Ball, Puzzle Cube Toy for Kids and Adults • Amazon Business $24.99 1 $24.99
Spin Master Games Perplexus Beast, 3D Maze Game with 100 Obstacles (Edition May Vary), Model Number: 6037973 • Amazon Business $24.67 1 $24.67
GG758 - The Maze Cube • Lakeshore Learning Materials $19.99 1 $19.99
DS296 - Mix Match Sensory Spheres • Lakeshore Learning Materials $19.99 1 $19.99
Sensory Fidget Toys Bundle-DNA Stress Relief Balls with Fidget Hand Toys for Anxiety Kids & Adults-Calming Toys for ADHD Autism Anxiety • Amazon Business $19.95 1 $19.95
3 otters 3D Puzzle Ball, 138 Obstacles Maze Ball Interactive Maze Game with Education Toy Sphere Game Ball Boy Gifts • Amazon Business $16.99 1 $16.99
ES130 - Hoberman Sphere<sup>&reg;</sup> • Lakeshore Learning Materials $16.99 1 $16.99
Perplexus Revolution Runner, Motorized Perpetual Motion 3D Maze Puzzle Ball Game, for Ages 9 and up • Amazon Business $16.92 1 $16.92
Speed Cube Set, Roxenda Magic Cube Set of Pyramid Megaminx Windmill Cube Qiyi Smooth Sticker Cubes Collection, Puzzle Toy for Kids • Amazon Business $15.79 1 $15.79
Rubik’s Perplexus Hybrid 2 x 2, Challenging Puzzle Maze Ball Skill Game for Ages 8 & Up • Amazon Business $14.99 1 $14.99
Roxenda Speed Cube Set, Magic Cube Set of Pyramid Megaminx Cube Smooth Triangle Pentagon Speedcube • Amazon Business $12.86 1 $12.86
Sensory Fidget Snake Cube Twist Puzzle - (Pack of 4) Fidget Puzzles and Magic Brain Teaser Toys for Kids Stocking Stuffers, Goodie Bags and Party Favors by Bedwina • Amazon Business $9.89 1 $9.89
Yeetec 9 Pack 24 Blocks Magic Speed Cubes, Mini Snake Cube, Mini Plastic Puzzle Cube Toy for Kids Party Bag Fillers, Party Supplies, Random Color • Amazon Business $8.99 1 $8.99

Materials cost

$421.16

Vendor shipping charges

 $13.97

Sales tax

 $38.54

3rd party payment processing fee

$6.32

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$509.99

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$90.00

Total project goal

$599.99

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $599.99

10 Donors

-$434.84

Donations toward project cost

-$378.36

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$56.48

match offer

-$154.86

Match offer toward project cost

-$131.63

Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$23.23

Excluded support for DonorsChoose

-$10.29

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

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 Mr. Firestein and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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