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This teacher needs your help!

Mrs. Gilliam from Arvada, CO is requesting educational kits & games through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Mrs. Gilliam is requesting

Creativity, Curiosity, and Connections Through Purposeful Play

Help me give my students an opportunity for meaningful learning through purposeful play.

  • $986 goal

Hooray! This project is fully funded

Hooray! This project is fully funded

My Project

My students are just beginning their journey into education, and like incoming kindergarteners of the past, they are excited for what's to come. However, they are unique in that they know no life other than life with COVID. They learned to walk, talk, and socialize in isolation or through social distancing. Because of this, they need an opportunity to play, experiment, observe, explore, and connect with others. My goal is to provide them with a space dedicated to purposeful play where they can learn about the world around them. All four of our kindergarten classes will attend our purposeful play centers room for 30 minutes per day. We will have 6 center options available, and all will be connected to our literacy, math, science, and social studies curriculums. We will have 1 sensory center, 2 imaginative play centers, 2 STEM centers, and 1 creative arts center. Students will choose and rotate through centers to explore all options. While playing and building relationships with peers, they will also be making connections to the skills and lessons covered in class. The idea of play being a necessity in school may seem counterintuitive to some. However, research has long highlighted the importance of play based learning in the long-term success of our youngest students. Students given the opportunity to learn through play have stronger social-emotional skills, making them more prepared to handle the cognitive load of tougher academic areas. It also provides deeper understanding of the subjects taught by forming meaningful connections to the material and a chance to address and correct misconceptions in a safe space. I have also heard from many parents that purposeful play has been a major factor in developing a love for school and learning in their children. I would greatly appreciate your help in achieving our goals!

Mrs. Gilliam
Grades PreK-2

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Log Builders - Master Set • Lakeshore Learning Materials $89.99 1 $89.99
20 PCS Kids Community Helper Dress Up Vest Career Costumes Role Play Career Cosplay Clothes Pretend and Play Costume for Kids Dress up Doctor Police Fireman Car Racer Cowboy Farmers Worker Pirate • Amazon Business $34.99 2 $69.98
LEGO Classic Large Brick Box - 10698 • Kaplan Early Learning Company $67.46 1 $67.46
JOYIN 41Pcs Kids Camping Tent Set with Kids Camping Gear, Camping Set Includes Kids Tent, Oil Lantern, Food Toys, Binoculars, Flashlights, Compass and More, Pretend Play Camp Gear Tools for Christmas • Amazon Business $24.20 2 $48.40
Nxone 195 PCS Educational STEM Toys for Boys and Girls Ages 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Construction Building Blocks Toy Building Sets Kids Toys Creative Activities Games with Storage Box • Amazon Business $23.99 2 $47.98
Magna-Tiles Jungle Animals - 25 Piece Set • Kaplan Early Learning Company $46.76 1 $46.76
Magna-Tiles Arctic Animals - 25 Piece Set • Kaplan Early Learning Company $46.76 1 $46.76
Ontel Magic Tracks 10 Foot Glow In The Dark Bendable Flexible Racetrack with LED Light-Up Race Car, Educational Playset Birthday Gift for Ages 3+ • Amazon Business $19.90 2 $39.80
Toddler Kitchen Playset - 52 Pieces • Kaplan Early Learning Company $37.76 1 $37.76
Play Kitchen Accessories, Frogprin Wooden Toy Mixer Set, Pretend Play Food Sets for Kids Kitchen - Includes Extra Egg, Rolling Pin, Cookies, Sugar, Flour • Amazon Business $24.99 1 $24.99
EnAuRoL Red Barn Farm Animals Toys, 28PCS Animals Figures and Farm Tractor Playset, Educational Learning Toys for Toddlers and Kids 1 2 3 4 5 Year Old Boys and Girls Birthday Festival Gift • Amazon Business $24.99 1 $24.99
Playmags Magnetic Figures Community Set of 15 Pieces - Play People Perfect for Magnetic Tiles Building Blocks - STEM Learning Toys Children – Magnet Tiles Expansion Accessories Pack • Amazon Business $24.99 1 $24.99
Booooom Jackson Kids Carpet Playmat Rug 60"x32",Car Mat for Kids Toy Cars,Non Slip Kids Rug for Playroom Bedroom Boys,Kids Car Rug Play Mat,Kids Play Rug,Road Rug Train Track Rug Car Carpet for Kids • Amazon Business $24.69 1 $24.69
LOYO Kids Tool Set - Pretend Play Construction Toy with Tool Box Kids Tool Belt Electronic Toy Drill Construction Accessories Gift for Toddlers Boys Ages 3 , 4, 5, 6, 7 Years Old (Blue) • Amazon Business $23.99 1 $23.99
Meland Toy Doctor Kit for Kids - Pretend Play Doctor Set with Dog Toy, Carrying Bag, Stethoscope Toy & Dress Up Costume - Doctor Play Gift for Kids Toddlers Ages 3 4 5 6 Year Old for Role Play • Amazon Business $23.97 1 $23.97
Comirth Pretend Play Food Sets for Kids Kitchen 61Pc, Storage Basket Cutting Toy Food, Fake Food for Toddlers, Play Kitchen Accessories Toys with Fruits Vegetables, Educational Gift for Girls Boys • Amazon Business $19.99 1 $19.99
Baker's Mart Ingredient Set | Wooden Play Food Baking Groceries | Includes Baking Soda, Chocolate, Milk, Sugar, Vanilla, Flour, Sprinkles, Butter and Egg | Pretend Play Food Kitchen Accessories • Amazon Business $19.99 1 $19.99
5 New Lego Random Kid Minifigures - Children, Boys, Girls Minifigs • Amazon Business $19.49 1 $19.49
SainSmart Jr. Wooden Train Set Figure 8 for Toddlers Kids with Train Tracks Bridge Fits Brio, Thomas, Melissa and Doug, Chuggington Wood Toy Train for 3 4 5 Years Old Boys and Girls (20-347) • Amazon Business $18.55 1 $18.55
Learning Resources Pocket Animal Playsets, Imaginative Play, Three Sets in one—Ocean Animals, Farm Animals, and Dinosaurs!, Encourages Imaginative Play, Ages 3+ • Amazon Business $18.21 1 $18.21
TekkPerry Kids Kitchen Pretend Play Toys, Cooking Toys Play Pots and Pans Set for Kids, 21pcs Small Stainless Steel Kitchen Cookware Kits Toys, Cookware Playset for Girls, Boys • Amazon Business $17.99 1 $17.99
Straw Constructor Toys STEM Building Toys 600Pcs Straw Toy Interlocking Plastic Toys Engineering Toys Thin Tube Blocks Toy Educational Toy Kit for 3 4 5 6 7years Kids Toy for Boys and Girls Gift • Amazon Business $17.99 1 $17.99
Wooden Play Pop Up Toaster Set Toys, Wooden Play Food and Kids Play Kitchen Accessories, Toys Gift for Toddlers Girls & Boys • Amazon Business $13.99 1 $13.99
Sportsvoutdoors 6PCS Egg Kitchen Toys, Wooden Toy Food, Kids Play Food Cooking DIY Kitchen Pretend Play Food Set, Easter Eggs • Amazon Business $6.89 1 $6.89

Materials cost

$795.60

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$11.93

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$837.53

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$147.80

Total project goal

$985.33

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $985.33

1 Donor

-$985.33

Donations toward project cost

-$837.53

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$147.80

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 Mrs. Gilliam and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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