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This teacher needs your help!

Mrs. Means from La Mesa, CA is requesting educational kits & games through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Mrs. Means is requesting

The Best Classroom Is Roofed by the Sky

My students need tools and materials such as Magna-Tiles, a sandbox with sand, and a picnic table to enhance our outdoor learning environment.

  • $702 goal

Hooray! This project is fully funded

Hooray! This project is fully funded

Keep the momentum going! Make a donation to Mrs. Means for her next project!

Help Mrs. Means

Keep the momentum going! Make a donation to Mrs. Means for her next project!

My Students

My sweet students come from diverse backgrounds and bring a large array of experiences to our room. One thing they all have in common is using their imaginations and creating a happy world within our walls.

Daily, my students overcome a variety of basic challenges - getting breakfast, making it to school, having homework completed.

Our school is a Title I urban school with the most diverse population in our district, serving free or reduced-price lunch to over 80% of our students. School becomes a safe haven for these scholars where expectations are the same every day, and their basic needs are met. While they come to school to learn, they thrive when they are given the opportunity to utilize a variety of resources to make learning real and fun. This is what keeps them coming back and keeps them hooked into learning the rigorous academic standards.

My Project

There are many benefits to children being outside and we live in "Sunny San Diego," so why not take advantage of the beautiful weather we have year around! The quality outdoor learning environment can spark creativity and curiosity through play. Outdoor play also promotes social skills, problem-solving skills, and aides in overall health. I want to provide my students with as many outdoor learning opportunities as possible.

The picnic basket set, bubbles, bubble wands, playdoh tools, Magna-Tiles, jump ropes, and the watercolor paint will create learning spaces that enhance cognitive, social, emotional and physical development.

Children who have an interest in the natural world will have the opportunity to explore as desired, through the use of a sandbox (with sand), sandbox toys, the science lab activity set, and the materials in the bug kit. Students will be able to take a closer look at the environment by using these tools in the garden, at the playground or on our back patio. The outdoor picnic table will allow students to utilize the outdoor patio and the storage boxes will help us transport and store all of these amazing outdoor learning centers!

My kindergarten students gave me their thoughts about what an ideal outdoor learning environment should look like as well as the materials they would like to see in those spaces, and here I am on DonorsChoose.org! They are very excited to explore and learn while being outdoors!

Mrs. Means La Mesa Dale Elementary School Grades PreK-2

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 Mrs. Means

La Mesa, 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

27 students impacted 4donors

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

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Magna-Tiles Clear Colors 100 Piece Set • Amazon Business $119.99 1 $119.99
Motion Sand Play Sand for Kids by Toydaloo, 11 pound 5KG (Naturel) • Amazon Business $29.95 2 $59.90
Step2 Play and Store Sandbox With Cover • Amazon Business $57.98 1 $57.98
Lifetime 280094 Kid's Picnic Table • Amazon Business $48.23 1 $48.23
Wood Eats! Slice & Share Picnic Basket with Cutting Fruits, Veggies, Tablecloth and More (34pcs.) by Imagination Generation • Amazon Business $39.99 1 $39.99
23pc Kids Beach Toys Set, Sandbox Toys; Sand Toys • Amazon Business $14.99 2 $29.98
Crayola 53-0525-1 8 Pan Set Washable Watercolors, 12 Pack • Amazon Business $22.15 1 $22.15
Nature Bound Bug Catcher with Habitat Bucket and 7 Piece Nature Exploration Set • Amazon Business $19.20 1 $19.20
Learning Resources Primary Science Lab Activity Set, 12 Pieces • Amazon Business $19.09 1 $19.09
6 Pack - Great Soft Grip Jump Ropes 8 ft. for Birthday Party Favors / Goodie Bags / Party giveaways (assorted colors) • Amazon Business $18.99 1 $18.99
Bubble Wand Assortment (50 Peices) Summer Fun Outdoors Activity • Amazon Business $13.99 1 $13.99
Pekky Stackable Toys Storage Containers, Set of 2 (green)F • Amazon Business $13.55 1 $13.55
Pekky 8 Quart/7.5 Liter Storage Box, Set of 2 (Blue)F • Amazon Business $13.55 1 $13.55
Pekky Plastic Storage Containers with Lid, for Toys and Office Supplies, Set of 2 (pink)F • Amazon Business $13.55 1 $13.55
Pandapia Play Dough Tools Set with Molds Models 41 PCS • Amazon Business $12.99 1 $12.99
Darice 1021-13 Miracle Bubbles Solution Refill, 64-Ounce Bottle Colors May Vary • Amazon Business $9.00 1 $9.00

Materials cost

$512.13

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $46.86

3rd party payment processing fee

$7.68

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$596.67

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$105.29

Total project goal

$701.96

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $701.96

1 Donor

-$233.99

Donations toward project cost

-$202.91

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$31.08

match offer

-$463.25

Match offer toward project cost

-$393.76

Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$69.49

Excluded support for DonorsChoose

-$4.73

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. Means and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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