Completed:7th Grade Shakespeare Turns Stugglers Into Scholars
"My classroom is a picture of true America. My students bring diversity of all sorts (gender, race, socio-economic status, language) to create a challenging but strong community. I teach 7th Grade Core which means I get to spend half of my day with the same 30 students (a gift, trust me) teaching the...
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"My classroom is a picture of true America. My students bring diversity of all sorts (gender, race, socio-economic status, language) to create a challenging but strong community. I teach 7th Grade Core which means I get to spend half of my day with the same 30 students (a gift, trust me) teaching them writing, literature, social studies, and basically how to be better human beings. We are a high poverty & high pride school.
Last year was my first year at this high-needs middle school. My previous teaching experiences were with advanced high school students. This year my students taught me A LOT about what it means to teach. Now that the year is wrapping up we are doing a lot of reflecting on what we learned and how we've grown. A comment that has come up a few times: "Mr. F. you talk about Shakespeare a lot. How come you didn't teach us Shakespeare?" Good question.
I have realized that my "high-needs" students NEED Shakespeare. I love teaching Shakespeare and know that if I can get these students to love him it will do wonders for their academic confidence. Shakespeare is often held up as the pinnacle of English Literature. My students would think differently about themselves if they were able to enter into and play around in his world.
By donating to this project you will not just be giving a class set of a highly accessible Shakespeare text but also a gateway into a new category of student. I truly believe that teaching Shakespeare to my Middle School students will get them to start thinking about themselves as scholars instead of "strugglers". These books, and the unit I'll design around them will increase their potential and sense of self-worth. Your donation will make this a reality.
My students need 33 copies of Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night", and a DVD of the excellent film version.
See Mr. F.'s class participating in this project!
(Enlarge photos)
Oct 9, 2009
Dear Cash4Books.net and Jenny,
Thank you, thank you, thank you. You have no idea (or maybe you do) what an amazing thing you have done.
When I told my 7th grade students at the start of this school year that I hoped to end the year studying Shakespeare there was a mix of emotions. Some students feared him, others were intrigued by the challenge. When the box arrived the other day any sense of fear fled the room. The students were amazed to open one box and find numerous copies of the same book. A few students have even asked if they can start reading "Twelfth Night" right now.
Your kindness and generosity have made a huge difference in my student's lives. Thank you again for your support.
With gratitude, Mr. F.
Mr. F. sent this note after the project was fully funded:
Jun 22, 2009
Dear Cash4Books.net and Jenny,
Thank you so much for your generosity. I am currently on summer vacation and am using this break to plan my curriculum for next year. I am really excited to know that I'll be able to add a Shakespeare Unit to the schedule. Bringing Shakespeare and everything that entails (language study, live performance, historical study, critical thought and analysis) will definitely benefit my students. You have provided my students that opportunity to tackle a powerful work of literature that will empower them to think differently about who they are and what they are capable of accomplishing. It is so wonderful to know that there are people in this world who care enough about education to help fund projects that will really make a difference. Thank you for making a difference in my student's lives.
Reviewed the project essay and sent follow-up questions if needed.
Heidi F. (volunteer)
on Jun 5, 2009
Verified the cost of the requested books and posted this project.
Ryan G. (associate)
on Jun 6, 2009
"I gave to this project because...7th Grade was my first year in theatre, and it's changed my life ever since"
Jenny
from New York
gave
on Jun 21, 2009
"Cash4Books.net is proud to be a continuous contributor to the many DonorsChoose.org projects that help students get the resources they need for their education. In doing so, we hope their lives are not only enriched by the knowledge acquired through books, but also that they develop a love for both reading and learning."
Cash4Books.net
from Beaverton, OR
gave
on Jun 21, 2009
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Heidi F. (volunteer)
on Jun 5, 2009
