"Last year, I taught my students how to be better readers. This year, my goal is to teach them to be better human beings.
I teach at a charter school that for four years in a row has been the highest performing public middle school without entrance criteria in our city. Despite the fact that 98% ...
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"Last year, I taught my students how to be better readers. This year, my goal is to teach them to be better human beings.
I teach at a charter school that for four years in a row has been the highest performing public middle school without entrance criteria in our city. Despite the fact that 98% of our students are African-American and 84% qualify for free or reduced-price school meals--two factors that would normally indicate low achievement in an urban school district--our students consistently achieve at high levels. Last year, 87% of my sixth grade students passed the state school assessment, one of the highest passing rates in the city. But as I stated, I have my sights set on achieving more than just high test scores this year. This year, I plan on teaching my kids what it means to be good people and good citizens of the world. I would like to do this by teaching them about the Holocaust, focusing on why the tragedies occurred, how they could have been prevented, and what we have to do to ensure that nothing like the Holocaust ever happens again. Unfortunately, despite my students' high achievement, my school has suffered crippling budget cuts this year, and we have been told that we can only use the books that we currently have in the school. I had intended on supplementing the historical texts we would use to learn about the Holocaust with Number the Stars, an award-winning novel by Lois Lowry. Unfortunately, we do not have enough copies of the book for me to effectively use it in my classroom. Please help me raise the bar for my students by teaching them that in addition to being good readers, they also need to be good to one another. You can make it possible for my children to not only learn the academic skills they need to be successful, but also to embrace the mindsets they need to be future world leaders.
My students need 110 copies of "Number the Stars" by Lois Lowry.
The cost of this proposal is $994, which includes shipping for any materials requested and fulfillment  ."
HIDE
Mr. F. sent this note after the project was fully funded:
Nov 10, 2009
Dear Maureen, Grace, Joseph, Russ, Jim, Hilary, Teri, Connie, Kate, Jennifer, Colleen, alan.wen@gmail.com, LEON, Donna, Caden, Devin, patricia, Monroe, Marie, Natalie, Katie, kathy, nicole, Danielle, L., Amy, Emily and Anonymous Donors,
Thank you so much for funding my project! For students in a city middle school, having a copy of a novel to take home is a rare luxury. Because of this, students are never given a chance to take home books and practice reading at home - a privilege that students at suburban schools are almost always given. It is my belief that this is a major contribution to the achievement gap between low-income students and their suburban peers. I cannot wait to receive the shipment of Number the Stars, and I cannot wait to see the look in my students' eyes when they receive their brand new copies to take home! Thank you so much for making this opportunity possible for my students. With gratitude,
Mr. F.
Photos coming soon!
Region:
Maryland
Where is the classroom located?
Submitted:
Aug 09, 2009
| Expires:
Jan 15, 2010
Reviewed the project essay and sent follow-up questions if needed.
Paula R. (volunteer)
on Aug 12, 2009
Verified the cost of the requested books and posted this project.
John C. (associate)
on Aug 14, 2009
"I donated because this teacher wants his motivated students to not only read but become better human beings"
W Family
from Beverly Hills, CA
gave
in honor of Joseph from Bethesda, MD
on Sep 21, 2009
"May you always love to learn."
"I gave to this project because I love books and comics and anything that helps students connect to reading."
"I have been so lucky to have had a great education. I want to pass along some of the luck to these kids. Bet Red!"
"I helped because I'm a strong believer in Literature & Writing education."
Hilary
from Baltimore, MD
gave
on Oct 28, 2009
"I'm a big believer in using fiction as a learning tool in other contexts. "
"I helped because I'm a strong believer in education."
"Literature has played a significant role in shaping my outlook on life, and I'm thrilled that this teacher has taken a proactive approach to instilling his students with intellectual and ethical values. Many thanks to him and others like him for redefining our educational system!"
Connie
from Los Angeles, CA
gave
on Oct 30, 2009
"I gave to this project because it's important to see you succeed. I have been blessed with extraordinary opportunities - you should be too. "
A donor
gave
on Nov 6, 2009
"I gave to this project because I want to do all I can possibly do to help children to get the ebst educatoin they can possibly get. I am getting a teaching degree myself and your project has inspired me to finish it. To the teacher of these students keep up the good work and to the students listen to your hard working teacher they know what's best and how to help you get the best education possible...God Bless and keep you all always. Feel free to email me antime teacher or all of the students. God Bless"
Monroe
from Harts, WV
gave
on Nov 6, 2009
Grace
from San Ramon, CA
gave
on Nov 10, 2009
alan.wen@gmail.com
from Palo Alto, CA
gave
on Nov 10, 2009
kathy
gave
on Nov 10, 2009
patricia
gave
on Nov 10, 2009
LEON
gave
on Nov 10, 2009
Devin
gave
on Nov 10, 2009
L.
from San Jose, CA
gave
on Nov 10, 2009
Jim
from Ottumwa, IA
gave
on Nov 10, 2009
Caden
gave
on Nov 10, 2009
Donna
gave
on Nov 10, 2009
nicole
gave
on Nov 10, 2009
Maureen
from Woody Creek, CO
gave
on Nov 10, 2009
"I donated because the project will bring important learning opportunities to the classroom."
Russ
from New York, NY
gave
in support of Russ Abramson's Mustache
on Nov 10, 2009
Project fully funded!
Happy news
on Nov 10, 2009
The teacher Mr. F.
on Nov 10, 2009
Purchased the books for Mr. F.'s classroom and notified the school principal of delivery.
Jenni D. (staff member)
on Nov 10, 2009
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