Free Stuff!

Every teacher likes free stuff, right?! Have you ever thought what you’d like to get for your classroom if you could afford it? Would it be technology? Books? Or even just some extra basic supplies? Read on to find out how you can get free materials for your classroom.

I was introduced to this awesome website about four years ago. Since then, I have received a total of 5 (FIVE!) grants from this website. The best part about it: IT'S SUPER EASY! It honestly takes me an evening, just a couple hours, to write a whole grant.

Sometimes when I share this information with teachers, their reply is, “I don’t have time for things like that,” or, “It seems too complicated,” or even, “No one would donate to me.” But honestly, take it from someone who has received almost 25 hundred dollars in materials for my classroom, it is not too difficult.

Here are the steps:

1.Go to www.donorschoose.com:

2. Sign up for a teacher account

• Click create a project
• Click get started

3. Write your proposal

• Create a name for your project
• Go shopping
• Follow the prompts to write your essay (a series of questions that help explain what you need and why you need it)

4. Press submit

• Then all you have to do is wait until someone donates money to fund your project. (Sometimes it takes up to 6 months for a project to be funded. Don't get discouraged if it doesn't get funded right away.)

Here are the projects that I have had funded:

LCD Projector: $823.17

Literature circle books: $264.63

Chemistry supplies: $559.76

Shakespeare for Kids books: $300.00

A class set of books on Ellis Island: $465.83

Total: $2,413.39

Good luck and happy grant writing!