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This teacher needs your help!

Mr. B. from Berlin, PA is requesting books through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

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Fully Funded

Mr. B.'s classroom raised $543

Get to Know the Gatsby

My students need one class set of F. Scott Fitzgerald's famous novel, The Great Gatsby. As freshmen honors students, they will be able to learn about the ups and downs that life can throw at an individual while still maturing as young adults. My students also need homework and guides to go along with such a famous piece of work, and therefore I'm requesting one of each.

Mr. B. Berlin Brothers Valley High School
Berlin, PA Grades 9-12

Students in a rural community are sometimes not offered the same chances to read material that will influence the rest of their life, unfortunately due to lack of funding. My students, entering the freshman grade level, are no exception. I'm paying particular attention to the Honors class at this time, as they are all students who have already visioned themselves as being college bound. Central Pennsylvania is a great place to live, but reading about the 1920 city life can only expand their horizons to have a more global perspective.

I went down to the middle school at the end of last school year when scheduling was taking place, and the first question I immediately received was "Are we going to have to read The Pearl like every other Freshman does?" This brought an idea to my mind that no, Honors students should be challenged in their first year of high school, and their enthusiasm to read something different gives me the opportunity to work with them in creating a new curriculum. I met with the department head, and unfortunately was told that our budget would definitely not be able to cover an entire set for even one full class. After all, we were sharing the budget among 4 teachers. Nonetheless, I made a verbal promise to those students when they asked me that question that whoever decides to take Honors next year will have a different book to read - one that I will select and promise they will enjoy. It is now my challenge to do just that.

By requesting 25 copies of The Great Gatsby I am giving the students who elect to challenge themselves the opportunity to read one of the greatest American novels of all time. It will be my job as a teacher to be creative, entertaining, and visionary about my approach to teaching such a novel. The different pathways in which I can travel in terms of discussion topics are endless, and this is what is needed at the young age of Freshmen. Instead of putting down others on their opinions on certain topics at hand that we will discuss while reading The Great Gatsby, they will have the chance to understand why one person may view something entirely different than another.

You will make the opportunity for change possible at a rural school in Pennsylvania, and as a second year teacher there, this is exactly what I have been trying to do. I have had the approval of the principal to do whatever I see fit when adapting the curriculum, and the only thing stopping me is finding some way to pay for a new novel to teach. It will spark discussion not only in the classroom, but in the hallways and at home. The Great Gatsby can be argued as one of the finest pieces in American Literature, even by the famous musician Bob Dylan in his song "Ballad of a Thin Man." It is because of this that I hope to teach a new unit that will encourage students to look at the world a little differently than simply the status quo, and it is with your help that I can do this. Thank you.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

More than a third of students from low‑income households

25 students impacted 17 donors
Mr. B. Berlin Brothers Valley High School Grades 9-12

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Berlin, PA View local requests

More than a third 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

25 students impacted 17donors

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Great Gatsby Homework Pack • Recorded Books, LLC $47.00 1 $47.00
Great Gatsby • AKJ Books $12.16 25 $304.00
Great Gatsby -- Teacher Guide • AKJ Books $10.46 1 $10.46

Materials cost

$361.46

Vendor shipping charges

 $36.15

Sales tax

 $21.69

3rd party payment processing fee

$9.04

Fulfillment labor & materials

$17.00

Total project cost

$445.00

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$97.68

Total project goal

$542.68

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $542.68

17 Donors

-$0.00

Donations toward project cost

-$0.00

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$0.00

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $542.68

Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.

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Project Activity

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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 Mr. B. and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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