You're on track to get doubled donations (and unlock a reward for the colleague who referred you). Keep up the great work!
Take credit for your charitable giving! Check out your tax receipts
Donate
To use your $50 gift card credits, find a project to fund and we'll automatically apply your credits at checkout. Find a classroom project
Skip to main content

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season!
Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.

This teacher needs your help!

Mrs. Gaines from New London, CT is requesting educational kits & games through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Mrs. Gaines is requesting

Science Enrichment through Play Based Learning

Help me give my students opportunities to enhance their creativity and engineering skills with STEM building materials and student led paint activities, and playdoh. Reinforce our upcoming forest and ocean animals' units in our dramatic play area.

  • $590 goal

This project expired on May 11, 2025.

2X
Donations doubled!

This project expired on May 11, 2025.

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

In our Kindergarten science units, we are learning about animals and their habitats. I am currently teaching artic animals. Intentionally planning for play based learning has truly helped my multi-language learners improve in their English language skills.

Once we have learned about polar animals, we will move on to forest animals, as we move into the spring months we will learn about ocean animals.

The blocks and magnets will serve as aids for engineering houses and habitats for children to build for the figurine animals. I will be using the same concept in the playdough area where I will add trees and small animals for students to create habitats for animals. The paints will add to the experience by students choosing to paint their favorite animals or painting their version of the animals' habitats. The paper tree will assist in creating a different background for students to add their painted leaves for the tree, to help them take ownership of the dramatic learning space.

Mrs. Gaines C.B. Jennings Elementary School Grades PreK-2

Equity Focus

This project directly supports students at a historically underfunded school. Learn more about our Equity Focus.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

More about Mrs. Gaines

New London, CT View local requests

Nearly all 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

16 students impacted

Boost your odds

Add a profile photo in addition to your classroom photo. If you add a photo, it'll show up right here on your project page.

You are more likely to receive funding if you put a face to your name.

Upload a photo

Top rated for efficiency and transparency.

You donate directly to the teacher or project you care about and see where every dollar you give goes.

Expand the "Where your donation goes" section below to see exactly what Mrs. Gaines is requesting.

See our finances

Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Melissa And Doug Melissa & Doug Standard Unit Blocks, 60 Solid Wood Pieces - Early Childhood-Elementary - Toddler • School Specialty $89.02 1 $89.02
Crayola Washable Paints - Assorted Colors, Set of 12, 16 oz Bottles • Blick Art Materials $49.24 1 $49.24
Learning Resources - Jumbo Animals - Forest Animals • Teachers' School Supply $44.16 1 $44.16
Lakeshore Ocean Animals Board Book Library • Lakeshore Learning Materials $36.50 1 $36.50
Lakeshore Ocean Animal Counters • Lakeshore Learning Materials $29.99 1 $29.99
Lakeshore Soft & Squeezy Ocean Animals • Lakeshore Learning Materials $29.99 1 $29.99
NuStar Technology Magnetic Tiles for Kids | 100 PCS Educational Magnetic Blocks | STEM Magnet Tiles for Learning with Creativity and Fun | Magnetic Building Blocks for Kids • Amazon Business $29.95 1 $29.95
Play-Doh Bulk Pack of 48 Cans, 6 Sets of 8 Modeling Compound Colors, 3oz, Non Candy Halloween Handout Toys & Party Favors, Preschool Toys for Kids, Ages 2+ (Amazon Exclusive) • Amazon Business $26.84 1 $26.84
IGIVI Magnetic Tiles - Road Set with Car Toys, STEM Magnetic Blocks Building Toys for Toddlers, Construction Toys for Kids Ages 3+,Gifts Toys for Boys & Girls • Amazon Business $24.99 1 $24.99
Veatree 150Pcs Magnetic Building Sticks Blocks Toys, Magnet Educational Toys STEM Toys for Kids and Adult, 3D Non-Toxic Building Toy with Storage Bag • Amazon Business $21.99 1 $21.99
NANASO 4Pack Smock for Kids,Children Waterproof Art Smock Painting Feeding, Kids Painting Apron Handwork, Cooking, Toddler Paint Smock for Age 2-6 Years Gifts • Amazon Business $14.69 1 $14.69
10 Pack Plastic Art Trays,8 Colors Activity Trays Sensory Tray,Sand Tray Serving Trays,Art Trays for Kids,Crafts Organizer,DIY Projects,Painting,Beads,Home,School • Amazon Business $13.99 1 $13.99
Wild Republic Wilderness Nature Tube, Woodland Animals, Forest Animal Figures, Kids Gifts, Educational Toys, 12-Pieces • Amazon Business $12.65 1 $12.65
Carson Dellosa 120pc Woodland Friends Tree Bulletin Board Set, Tree, Acorn, Forest Animal, Autumn Leaves Bulletin Board Decorations, Tree Decor, Woodland Decor, Wall Decor, Classroom Decor, Fall Decor • Amazon Business $11.95 1 $11.95

Materials cost

$435.95

Vendor shipping charges

 $28.53

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$6.54

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$501.02

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$88.42

Total project goal

$589.44

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

View complete list Show less

Give the most requested basic supplies

See teacher requests

Give back to your community

Find opportunities to impact local needs by exploring a map of classroom projects near you.

See local area

Project Activity

Project Activity
Back to top

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. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Gaines and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

See how DonorsChoose works
{"pmaHash":"","showProjectRecommendations":true,"leadGenEnabled":true,"hideTeacherDetails":false,"schoolState":"CT","teacherPossessivePronoun":"her","PMsManager":null,"schoolGradeType":{"id":1,"name":"Early Education"},"TeacherPMForms":{},"completingDonationAmount":295,"teacherHasClassroomPhoto":false,"proposalURL":"https://www.donorschoose.org/project/science-enrichment-through-play-based-le/9051188/","mayHaveReplacements":false,"numStudents":16,"teacherScreenName":"Mrs. Gaines","isEquityFocus":true,"proposalHash":"986703212","isApplePayMobileOnly":true,"progressBarPercentage":0.00,"photosPublished":false,"queryString":"","DonorPMForm":null,"schoolCity":"New London","teachersOnPage":[9892723],"isTeacherViewingTheirOwnProject":false,"minimizedLeadGenEnabled":false,"proposalId":9051188,"proposalMessageFormModel":null,"numActiveProjects":0,"verifyShowPhotos":"","eligibleToBeCopied":false,"authorIds":{"9892723":{"owner":"Mrs. Gaines","donationSalutations":{}}},"displayedPercentFunded":0.0,"proposalsOnPage":[9051188],"pmaId":"","teacherProfilePhotoURL":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/136/teacher-placeholder-2_136.png","teacherHasProfilePhoto":false,"currentWorkflowStatusCode":6,"teacherChallengeId":22454271,"isApplePayEnabled":true,"fundedByTarget":false,"activeProject":null,"donorIdsForImpactPhotoCheck":[],"teacherId":9892723,"schoolCounty":"New London","fullyFunded":false,"isStudentLed":false,"isExpired":true,"schoolStateObj":{"code":"CT","name":"Connecticut"}}