Ideas for 3rd graders - classroom donations

[jenna]

Each year we donate items to my son's class/teacher.

Past items include Magna-Tiles, Lego, Play-doh, puzzles, math manipulatives, etc.

Usually the teacher creates a wish list, and my husband and I chose from the list. 

This year, in 3rd grade, the teacher has not provided a list.

We donated Lego, already.

What do 8-9 year old boys and girls like to play with that can be played with in about a 20 minute time frame - like during indoor recess?

Any help or ideas would be appreciated.  Something not too messy, or complicated.

[jenna]

Do kids still like Play-Doh in 3rd grade?

My son does, but I am not sure about other kids his age.

[Leeham Rimes]

Have you reached out to the teacher and asked? (Maybe that’s what you meant by “didn’t provide a list”) I send in a little form for them to fill out and they list personal and classroom wants on it, and that’s what I refer to when I give gifts throughout the year. In Florida, 3rd grade is serious business bc that’s when FSA
testing starts so if it’s not something the teacher needs, it won’t be used.

Last year she got so many pencils, she sent a ton back to the parents. I don’t think I’d send things in unless the teacher asked for them specifically bc it may not be used, even if it’s popular elsewhere.

The main thing his teacher asked for (throughout the year) was books.

[sloan]

When I was in that age range I lived where it was cold, so indoor recess was pretty common. We played a lot of quick board and card games. Set (a card game where they look for patterns), mancala (gemstones and a wood board with a strategy and counting focus), and connect 4 were pretty quick ones to get through.

[jenna]

We buy books during the book fair - the teachers provide a list, and we buy from the list - or buy a book fair g.c.

Also have provided Barnes and Noble gift cards in the past.

This is the first year we have asked, and the teacher has provided no clear list.

I am just looking for ideas - I have 2 boys - I want to make sure to provide a variety of items to cover the entire class.

[cmeon]

Are you opposed to just donating GCs or cash? That's what we decided to do this year (to cover wish list items)- it's been VERY well received here- our teachers are pretty awesome at knowing what they need in their classrooms, even if they're not so good about asking for it.

[Leeham Rimes]

Gift card is a good idea.

[abs]

I'd just to a gift card.

DD is in 3rd. Her teacher has books and things for indoor recess on her list such as card and board games.

[Rainyday]

What about Snap Circuits?
www.amazon.com/Snap-Circuits-SC-100-Electronics-Discovery/dp/B00CIXVITO/ref=cm_cr_pr_sims_i

Or Plus + Plus
www.amazon.com/PLUS-Construction-Building-Piece-Basic/dp/B07KKP1VVP/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=plus+plus&qid=1566769013&s=gateway&sr=8-3

My kids love these. Or books, you can never have too many. I know people suggested GCs, but I love shopping for my teachers.

[thejackpot]

Spot It, Uno, cards, crossword books

[fumbalina]

I did use some grammar board games when I taught third. I had never even considered they might exist until the librarian suggested them to me. I know I used Build a Sentence, but I remember having 3 more as well. The recess we were allowed as far too short to play a game, but I did use them as a station when I taught guided reading.

[dutchgirl678]

My son is going into 3rd grade. He likes playing Uno and we just got a Uno Harry Potter game at home. The Oregon Trail card game is fun as well, or Phase 10.

[dochas]

Toss Across and Connect Four.

[frlcb]

I agree with card games - Uno, Skip-Bo, Oregon Trail, Exploding Kittens. My 3rd grader doesn't play with play-dough. I assume she would if it was there but it would be a quick thing and she would move on (and as someone who works in a school it's a pain to clean up)

[lilac05]

I’d either ask the teacher or give a gift card.

DS1 is in 3rd. His teacher has two kids, but they’re now MS/HS. So, in addition to her teaching quite a few years and having a collection from that, she also has all of her own kids’ things that they’ve grown out of. She has quite a collection of things at this point! She asked for consumables like markers and pencils, but as far as bigger stuff, I’ll be asking before I purchase anything.

[redheadk]

Ask her, and give her an estimate of how much you are looking to spend, if possible.

[nicanmatt]

A friend of mine taught 3rd last year and requested marble tracks and other STEM manipulatives. Snap circuits are great, and so are gift cards.

[mccallister84]

Aug 25, 2019 21:07:01 GMT -5 redheadk said:

Ask her, and give her an estimate of how much you are looking to spend, if possible.

Yes - this is great advice for anyone looking to donate to classrooms.

When I taught if a parent asked what we needed I would usually say dry erase markers, batteries or tissues - because I assumed they were only looking to make a small donation. If you know you want to spend a significant amount (and honestly to me ahnhtjknf more than like $20 would be seem significant) let the teacher know so that they can get together a few more substantial ideas.

[winelady]

My kids are past that age now but things on teachers wish lists from previous years
board games..
connect four
skipbo 
sorry
checkers
dominos
chess
scrabble 
twister
Basically any game that could be played quickly over indoor recess
puzzles and puzzle mats
madlibs
playing cards
kick balls
soccer balls
jump ropes

[Leeham Rimes]

Xs teacher just asked for a classroom set of dictionaries. That’s not too expensive, I just found a set for $75 for 24.

[jenna]

I donated Magna-tiles, Snap circuits, a handful of card games - Spot it, Uno, Dos, Blink, etc - Connect 4, Lego Classic and a few minifigures.

What about Friendship bracelets? Is this still a “thing” and is there a refillable kit I can purchase?

[erbear]

Board games and cards (regular and uno). I'd just ask the teacher though.

[jenna]

Aug 31, 2019 8:20:22 GMT -5 Catlawdy said:

I'd ask the teacher before giving something that one student will make for another. There may be concerns of hurt feelings over who is getting and not getting bracelets.

Good point!

[mags]

Tissues
hand sanitizer

expo markers

[bittybomb]

My kids - 6th, 4th and 2nd - have card games, chess/checkers, board games like apples to apples, etc and loads of art supplies in their classrooms for indoor recess.

[sonrisa]

I give a target gift card or cash. She knows better than me what her class needs.