Teen-Enticing Titles (Classroom Project at DonorsChoose.org)

Teen-Enticing Titles

Classroom project requested by Ms. H. on Nov 20, 2009

Ms. H.'s Classroom

High Poverty

Ohio

Where is the classroom located?

"My teens deserve books that hold their interest.

I teach 7th and 8th grade Language Arts in an urban district in Ohio with high poverty and a low graduation rate.

My students have to be constantly encouraged to come to school and to be ready to learn when they are here. The young men are more l..." more»

"My teens deserve books that hold their interest.

I teach 7th and 8th grade Language Arts in an urban district in Ohio with high poverty and a low graduation rate.

My students have to be constantly encouraged to come to school and to be ready to learn when they are here. The young men are more likely to be incarcerated or dead than graduate high school by the time they are eighteen. The young ladies are beating the odds to graduate on time without an unplanned pregnancy. The only thing that keeps my kids on track is to provide them with enriching, meaningful experiences in the classroom. Our district, in a time of extreme financial distress, is unable to provide my students with current, enticing literature.

The books I have requested deal with life-applicable social issues that adolescents want to read about and talk about. When learning is more enjoyable for my students, they automatically improve their performance and show up to school more often.

Donors, giving my kids literature that they love means that we could give them an education that they love. A love for education may save their lives. hide»

My students need 25 copies of "Hole in My Life," "Stargirl," "Elijah of Buxton," and "The Misfits." details»

Jun 14 Rita G a staff member at donorschoose.org

Packaged the thank-you letters written by Ms. H.'s students and sent them on to the eligible donor(s).

May 22 Ms. H. the Teacher

Bigger Photos

Reply to the classroom

Dear Robert, Teresa, K, Robert & Marian, Callie, Claudia, Annie, A Mad Idea Foundation, Vanessa, Linda, DeWitt family and The Black Pack Teachers - Timberstone Jr. High,

My students and I are eternally grateful for the generous donations you have made to our classroom. When our new books arrived, the students were astonished that "complete strangers" would so selflessly give to us.

We have begun to read Stargirl in the 8th grade as we finish the school year in a unit on individuality. The message of the story is one that resonates with my students because, as most people experience, it is hard to be different and also to deal with someone else who seems different from us. We have spent time in literature circles reading about the character Stargirl and the impact her spirit had on other kids in the novel.

My 7th grade classes have thoroughly enjoyed reading Hole in my Life and The Misfits. The Hole in my Life group spent time reading the true story of Jack Gantos's downfall and eventual recovery from drug use and poor life choices. They spent time making "Life Maps" to highlight defining moments in their lives that have made them the people they are today. The Misfits group has been entertained and touched by the story of Addie, Joe, Skeezie, and Bobby and their quest to rid their school of name calling. Students developed their own political parties, complete with political platforms, and made campaign posters to reflect issues that are important to them.
We look forward to reading Elijah of Buxton at the beginning of next year.

It has been a joyful experience to journey through literature with my kids. The novels you have helped supply for our classroom have been great tools for adventure, and creativity, and continuing to build the character of our classroom and our school.

With gratitude,
Ms. H.

Reply to the classroom

Apr 05 Jenni D a staff member at donorschoose.org

Purchased the books for Ms. H.'s classroom and notified the school principal of delivery.

Apr 05 Ms. H. the Teacher

Dear Robert, Teresa, K, Robert & Marian, Callie, Claudia, Annie, A Mad Idea Foundation, Vanessa, Linda, DeWitt family and The Black Pack Teachers - Timberstone Jr. High,

Thank you for your generous donations to my classroom! The novels you have helped supply for my students will be engaging tools as we work hard to appreciate, and to grow from, the amazing experiences literature offers. My students desperately need to learn to make connections to literature to stimulate their minds, influence creativity, and to help them escape difficult situations beyond their control.
It makes my heart happy to know that other people care about adolescent literacy and that my students will benefit from the kindness of others.
With gratitude,
Ms. H.

Reply to the classroom

Mar 22 DonorsChoose.org

Good news: Project fully funded!

Mar 22 Robert from Marietta, GA

"I gave to this project because these are great titles and having good books for students to read is so important in today's world! Enjoy them!"

Mar 21 Claudia from Idaho supporting Charmaine's 36th Birthday Give Back to Schools!

"I gave to this project because I believe that books are the doorway to wonder, compassion and creative thinking. Thank you for caring so much about your students and giving them a greater opportunity to learn."

Mar 20 Annie from California

"I gave to this project because I believe that students will excel with good materials."

Mar 18 A Mad Idea Foundation gave from Houston, TX

Mar 18 Vanessa from Dayton, OH

"I gave to this project because I believe that students should find out that reading can be fun and important, not just homework."

Mar 03 Ms. H. the Teacher

"Thank you, Linda! My students and I appreciate your support!"

Mar 02 Linda from Ohio

"I donated because I want to support kids in Ohio."

Mar 02 Ms. H. the Teacher

"K,thank you for your help!"

Mar 02 Ms. H. the Teacher

"K, thank you for your help!"

Feb 28 K gave from Indpls, IN

Feb 17 Ms. H. the Teacher

"Thank you, DeWitt family!"

Feb 17 DeWitt family from Oregon, OH

"I gave to this project because...reading a good book is important at all age levels!"

Feb 16 Ms. H. the Teacher

"Thank you, Teresa!"

Feb 13 Teresa from West Chester, OH

"I gave to this project because I'm a bookaholic who loves to share books."

Jan 03 Ms. H. the Teacher

"Robert & Marian, thank you so much for your donation! Happy New Year!"

Dec 31, 2009 Robert & Marian from Ohio

"Our daughter, a former Teach for America teacher, reviewed your project and suggested that we make a donation. Good luck and God bless. "

Dec 4, 2009 Ms. H. the Teacher

"Lisa, thank you for your donation!"

Dec 4, 2009 Ms. H. the Teacher

"Thank you, Callie! I love you!"

Dec 4, 2009 Lisa from Ohio in honor of The Black Pack Teachers - Timberstone Jr. High

"I gave to this project because I believe that reading offers all of us an opportunity to step outside of our own world and into that of someone else. I hope that your students are able to see beyond their world and realize there is much more to life than what they see each day."

Nov 30, 2009 Callie from Maryland

"To one of my best friends and a phenomenal educator. Even in my poorest of graduate student days, I will continue to support your goals! I think it's fabulous you are doing this! Yay for reading! :)"

Nov 22, 2009 Ryan G an associate at donorschoose.org

Verified the cost of the requested books and posted this project.

Nov 21, 2009 Theodore I a volunteer at donorschoose.org

Reviewed the project essay and sent follow-up questions if needed.

Please notify our staff of any messages or photos of concern.

Nov 20, 2009Ms. H. - Teacher

Project Details

Materials	Vendor	Price	#	Total
Hole in My Life Jack Gantos	Barnes and Noble	$6.40	25	$160.00
Stargirl Jerry Spinelli	Barnes and Noble	$6.29	25	$157.25
Elijah of Buxton Christopher Paul Curtis	Barnes and Noble	$6.39	25	$159.75
The Misfits James Howe, Bagram Ibatoulline (Illustrator)	Barnes and Noble	$5.39	25	$134.75

Vendor Shipping Charges				$0.00
State Sales Tax				$0.00
3rd Party Payment Processing Fee				$9.18
Fulfillment Labor & Materials				$9.00
Project Cost Excluding Donation to Support DonorsChoose.org				$629.93
Optional Donation to Support DonorsChoose.org				$138.28
Project Cost Including Donation to Support DonorsChoose.org				$768.21
12 Donors				-$768.21
To Go				$0.00