Completed:Throw The Book At Them! Help My Senior Law Class!
"I teach in a inner-city classroom where almost 90 percent of our students receive free and reduced lunch. Out the windows of our school we have sadly seen a robbery and an assault. A student on my mock-trial team was shot walking down the street--mistaken identity. Crime is a problem in crowded, pov...
"
MORE
"I teach in a inner-city classroom where almost 90 percent of our students receive free and reduced lunch. Out the windows of our school we have sadly seen a robbery and an assault. A student on my mock-trial team was shot walking down the street--mistaken identity. Crime is a problem in crowded, poverty-stricken neighborhoods and our street law class takes a look at how to avoid being a victim and what true justice is. Street Law teaches my students about being part of the SOLUTION not what to do if arrested.
How can we have a law class without any books? We are looking at Supreme Court cases online, but criminal law is up next. It would be nice to have textbooks for the class, but we don't. And there isn't any money in the budget for them. I have called the local Bar Association and sent out letters to law firms trying to get the Street Law Textbook by Lee Arbetman. I am trying, reaching out to the community, but so far no luck. Who has 6000 dollars for textbooks these days? Meanwhile, every day 60 wonderful kids come into my class wanting to learn and dream of being lawyers and judges, and wanting to learn about the law. Some non-fiction novels would help introduce the subject of criminal law.
Reading builds skills and vocabulary, and a class book and some additional materials will start our small law library off. We have nothing right now! I want to capture the kids' interest and help them see they can make a difference in the world of justice. I try to teach them what a great job the police do when so many think all police are racist.
Your gift of books to our new "Law Library" will get us started. With my Donorschoose project requests, I can start to build a law library that is interesting and will further an interest in going to college to become a lawyer or police officer. I want my students to think about careers in law and being part of a system that protects others. You will make it possible for our first Street Law class to have some reading materials and something we can all work on and discuss together. Thanks.
My students need 27 copies of "Stranger Beside Me" by Ann Rule, and single copies of 21 additional books about serial killers, murder and crime.
See Mrs. R.'s class participating in this project!
(Enlarge photos)
Oct 22, 2009
Dear Trisha, Megan and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation,
I can't thank you enough for your generosity to my students. The books came in and the kids were so interested and responsive and eager to start reading. My American History juniors were wanting to read the books and I said sorry, they are for the senors and I heard "I am taking law next year !" I am so appreciative of you fostering an interest in criminal law in my classroom. We are all going to read the book about Ted Bundy and then watch the biography about him. We will talk about the impact of a a person like this, talk about justice for the victims and how the police are part of the solution for the problem of crime.
Thank you so much. I am just overwhelmed by the kindness of strangers. It makes reading about the worst man can do, easier when I think about how many people are good and giving. I want to help the kids realize how to protect themselves and their younger brothers and sisters and I want them to think about being part of the justice system.
I thank you for giving to my class. These books will be used by my law students for years. This is my 10th year teaching law and I have never had resources like this. I am so thankful for donorschoose and the fact that I am able to give people a way to give directly to the kids-it went straight to my students as you can see from the photos. I just hope some small part of this letter reaches your heart and you feel how much I appreciate you giving to my students and my Law 410 class.
With gratitude, Mrs. R.
Mrs. R. sent this note after the project was fully funded:
Oct 11, 2009
Dear Trisha, Megan and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation,
Wow, I went on line this morning so I could order a movie about the Supreme Court from my local library and there was the email saying my project was funded! It was like Christmas morning that feeling of getting just the right present that you have been wanting! Thank you so very much for the books for my law class. They are a great group of inner city students and they are dreaming of being lawyers, psychologists and police officers and we are working so hard at our school to promote the idea to the kids that they can achieve and be. Sometimes their neighborhoods are daunting, and while they often don't see those careers in the people around them, we are doing all we can to foster an interest in becoming part of the legal world. They are very interested in criminal law and I don't have enough classroom text books for every kids to have one to read at home, we share 2-3 kids to a book. Your gifts of these books will not only help build them into stronger readers, but they will interest and engage them and I have a classroom set of one of them. I want to build in compassion for the victims and help them problem solve crime in our society and see what they can do to contribute to be part of the solution. I thank you for the reading materials for our Law Library that the kids will be able to check out. Yours are the First books in it, so that makes them extra special. God Bless and thanks for making a difference in the lives of LOTS of kids by opening up the world of reading for pleasure and to gain insight in to society's pressing issues. What a wonderful gift.
Reviewed the project essay and sent follow-up questions if needed.
Shanti A. (staff member)
on Sep 5, 2009
Verified the cost of the requested books and posted this project.
Ryan G. (associate)
on Sep 7, 2009
"I donated to this project in honor of my friend, Megan, who is finishing up her long journey as a law student. She's about to graduate, and I wanted to honor her accomplishment by contributing in this way."
A donor
gave
in honor of Megan
on Oct 4, 2009
"Thank you for being our first donor. I have many inner city students who are dreaming of being lawyers or police officers. Good Luck to Megan and thanks for getting us one step closer to having books and materials to make our class more engaging (and to get kids reading) THANK you, Megan has a good hearted friend."
The teacher Mrs. R.
on Oct 5, 2009
"I went to college for Criminology and loved it. My law teacher in HS inspired me. I hope you can continue to inspire your students. "
Trisha
from theodore, AL
gave
on Oct 11, 2009
"We provided DonorsChoose.org with matching funds for projects that improve college readiness. We believe that when all people in the United States have the opportunity to develop their talents, our society thrives."
Email
Facebook
Twitter
Shanti A. (staff member)
on Sep 5, 2009
