This week, we’re helping a North Carolina kindergarten get some help with math concepts, and an Iowa middle school class read about the Second Sudanese Civil War. We hope that readers who support quality public school education will help by sharing or supporting our featured projects.
The Inoculation Project is an ongoing, volunteer effort to crowdfund science, math, and literacy projects for public schools in low-income neighborhoods. As always, our conduit is DonorsChoose, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation that facilitates tax-deductible donations to specific, vetted projects in public schools.
For our new project #1, Ms. Sutherland wants her North Carolina kindergarten to have tools to help them understand math.
PROJECT #1
Resources: Help me give my students hands-on math manipulatives to develop a deeper understanding of key math skills.
Economic need: An Equity Focus School; nearly all students from low‑income households.
Location: Raleigh Road Elementary School, Linden, North Carolina
Total: $180.22
Still Needed: $105.22 Completed — thank you! Please consider project #2 below.
Project description by Ms. Sutherland: In our vibrant classroom, we believe that learning should be an adventure, and hands-on experiences are key to making that happen! I am seeking support to enhance our math instruction and morning routines through the integration of essential math manipulatives and exciting STEM bins.
By incorporating manipulatives such as base ten blocks, counting bears, and geometric shapes, students can visualize and physically engage with mathematical ideas.
Many of my students find math concepts challenging when presented in abstract ways.
These tools will help them deepen understanding, encourage collaboration, and build confidence: Hands-on learning fosters a sense of achievement, encouraging students to explore math without fear.
Introducing Morning STEM Bins In addition to math manipulatives, I want to provide morning STEM bins filled with engaging, hands-on activities that spark curiosity and critical thinking. These bins will include building kits and puzzle challenges to develop problem-solving abilities.
These bins will allow students to dive into engaging tasks each morning, fostering creativity and innovation. Students will learn to manage their time and explore concepts at their own pace, building confidence and self-direction.
Enhance Collaboration: Working together on STEM challenges will strengthen teamwork and communication skills. By providing these resources, we can cater to different learning styles and ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed.
Thank you for considering supporting our classroom! Together, we can inspire a love for math and STEM that lasts a lifetime.
Donations of ANY size can make a BIG difference!
Since most of us can probably already identify standard geometric shapes, here’s a video that explains seeming paradoxes in geometry
We’ve continued to make excellent progress on this ambitious project #2!
Mrs. Filippelli, a never before funded teacher, wants her Iowa middle school students to learn about children’s experiences in the Second Sudanese Civil War.
PROJECT #2
Resources: Help me give my students the chance to read multiple perspectives of the lost children from the Second Sudanese Civil War with the book "Lost Boy, Lost Girl Escaping Civil War in Sudan."
Economic need: An Equity Focus School; more than three-quarters of students from low‑income households.
Location: Weeks Middle School, Des Moines, Iowa
Total: $753.46
Still Needed: $425.22 $263.16
Project description by Mrs. Filippelli: In order to understand the events that children experienced during the Second Sudanese Civil War I want my students to read from multiple firsthand experiences, including the Lost Girls, which is often times overlooked. In order to do this, I need to find the funds to buy two classroom sets of the book "Lost Boy, Lost Girl Escaping Civil War in Sudan" by John Bul Dau and Martha Arual Akech.
By being able to read multiple books about the same topic from different firsthand accounts, my students will have a deeper understanding of the Second Sudanese Civil War.
Donations of ANY size can make a BIG difference!
After the civil war, girls in South Sudan still have difficulties trying to get an education. This video looks at a school for girls, and the cultural factors that make it hard for them to attend.
Our project #1 from last week was completed, due to the generosity of one of our readers who just could not abide this classroom going without — many thanks!
Project #1, Gluetist Science Class Supplies: Ms. Branco teaches middle school science in Oakland, CA, and she needed some very basic supplies that neither her school nor her students could afford.
She writes: Thank you so much for your contribution to the classroom - because of you kids will have the pencils and glue sticks they need! I can not thank you enough for donating these items. We wouldn’t be able to teach and do what we do in the classroom without your donations. Thank you again.
| DonorsChoose has developed the designation Equity Focus Schools to describe some schools that submit projects. They meet two criteria: at least 50% of students are Black, Latinx, Native American, Pacific Islander, or multiracial, and at least 50% of students qualify for free or reduced price lunch, the standard measure for school economic need. You can read more at the link about their efforts to address the longstanding inequity in education. |
Founded in 2009, The Inoculation Project seeks to fund science, math, and literacy projects in public school classrooms and libraries. Our conduit is DonorsChoose, a crowdfunding charity founded in 2000 and highly rated by both Charity Navigator and the Better Business Bureau.
Every Sunday, we focus on helping to fund projects in neighborhood public schools where the overwhelming majority of students come from low-income households. We welcome everyone who supports public school education — no money is required!
Finally, here’s our list of successfully funded projects — our series total is 1132! The success-list diary also contains links and additional information about DonorsChoose.
