With the world being a difficult place for those of any marginalized background, one of the things those of us who are looking to do something can do is donate to those in need. Thousands of teachers each year ask for a little help with seeking supplies for their classrooms via Donors Choose; organizations that do work with at-risk communities like prison populations seek spare change to advocate for and bring literacy to those groups and nonprofits that provide necessary resources to empower women and people of color are always hoping for a few bucks to make their vital work possible.
Enter: Friday Fund Days.
Book Riot readers have helped fund hundreds of classrooms over the last few years, and we’ll help bring funds to hundreds more. Each Friday, we’ll highlight two classrooms or other literacy-focused, important projects in hopes you’ll help them reach their goals to bring literature, advocacy, and education to others.
Even if you can’t spare money, any social sharing you can offer to the projects each week absolutely helps: you never know who’ll find it and have the means by which to make the project’s fundraising goals reached. More, you’ll bring awareness to the unmet needs in communities around the world, as well as right in your own back yard.
When all else feels hard or hopeless, remember that you can and do make a difference.
This Week’s Projects
Behavior Calming Classroom Tools, Sensory Items, Social and Emotional Learning, Armijo Elementary School, Albuquerque, NM. $376
Help me give my students these sensory items. Sensory input allows children to refine their thresholds for different sensory information, helping their brain to create stronger connections to sensory information and what is useful or not.
My Students
our elementary is a special place and a safe haven for all and we would be grateful for any donation which you find necessary.
Our school averages 14:1 student to teacher ratio and a 454:1 counselor to student ratio. The student demographics consist of 94% Hispanic, 3% White, 1% Black, and < two or more races. Our students are much like hidden figures, they are full of intelligence and love yet often face the consequences of constant teacher turnover and extreme poverty.
My Project
Providing opportunities for children to actively use their senses as they explore their world through ‘sensory play’ is crucial to brain development – it helps to build nerve connections in the brain’s pathways.
This leads to a child’s ability to complete more complex learning tasks and supports cognitive growth, language development, gross motor skills, social interaction and problem-solving skills.
Flexible Seating, Like a Boss!, Louisiana Schnell Elementary School, Placerville, CA. $112
Help me give my students flexible seating to create a classroom environment where student are able to be the designers of their own learning.
My Students
Teaching students skills that enable them to engage in optimal learning by choosing who they work well with and where they work best.
My goal is for students to leave third grade knowing how they learn best.
My Project
Flexible seating options will provide for students to take ownership of their own learning.
By providing flexible seating my classroom environment can be enhanced.
Source : Friday Fund Days: Drop Some Dollars And Help Some Classrooms
