Change the World: Learn to Read (Classroom Project at DonorsChoose.org)

Change the World: Learn to Read

Classroom project requested by Ms. M. on Nov 30, 2009

High Poverty

New York (City)

Where is the classroom located?

" “I just think our class is going to change the world.” This quote comes from one of my five year old students. I am the special education teacher in an inclusion kindergarten classroom in a high-need community. 81% of my students receive free or reduced price lunch. Most have had little to no exposure to school and learning before starting kindergarten this year. They are beginning their educational journeys far below expected grade level standards. My goal is to catch them up and then push them above and beyond where they need to be so they may progress to first grade with strong academic foundations. There is no doubt in my mind that my amazing children can and will change the world. However they are currently lacking many supportive resources that will help them do so.

Reading is the most important foundational skill for educational success. My school does not have enough leveled reading books for my students to progress through the reading process. Leveled books specifically target readers according to skill level. Each category develops explicit developmental strategies and pushes the reader towards acquiring the tools necessary to read. Without these essential texts, students lack the opportunity to cultivate appropriate reading proficiency.

I am asking for five copies of forty-eight different texts from levels A through E to start my classroom’s “leveled library.” These texts will be used in individual and group guided reading sessions to support my students in developing their beginning reading skills. They will begin on level A. Our classroom goal is to have each student reading on a level E by the end of the school year so that they will be prepared to start first grade in the fall.

Please help my students “change the world,” by bestowing upon them the opportunity to learn to read.

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My students need 4-5 copies of 48 leveled library books for guided/independent reading so they can develop the literacy skills to become readers. details»

May 06 Melissa Z a staff member at donorschoose.org

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

Apr 27 Ms. M. the Teacher

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Reply to the classroom

Dear Ricardo, Jonathan, Justin, Rob Ryan, richard, Namon and Anonymous Donors,

Thank you so much for your generous contributions to my classroom. The leveled reading books that you supplied have allowed my students to receive individualized reading instruction tailored to their skill levels. Leveled books provide stepping stones for students to progress through the reading process to become competent independent readers. Without these books, teaching beginning reading skills would be near impossible.

Since the books arrived in my classroom, my students have made extreme progress in reading. As of today, 100% of students in my class with consistent attendance are on or above kindergarten grade level in reading. We have you to thank for making this possible. Please know that you have truly changed the lives of my students by providing them with the resources that are so vital to their academic success. You have given them the invaluable gift of reading and I am forever grateful for the opportunities you have afforded them.

Truly, truly, thank you.

With gratitude,
Ms. M.

Reply to the classroom

Jan 03 Jenni D a staff member at donorschoose.org

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

Dec 7, 2009 Ms. M. the Teacher

Dear Ricardo, Jonathan, Justin, Rob Ryan, richard, Namon and Anonymous Donors,

I cannot begin to thank you enough for your support and generosity. It is difficult to put into words the impact that your gift will have on my students.
Reading is the key to success in the academic world. Without the proper resources, it is near impossible to provide young students with the support they need to move forward as readers. Your gift of leveled reading books will allow me to push my students forward, step by step through the reading process. By providing books with levels from basic beginning skills to early first grade decoding, you have provided us with the pathway to literary success. Students will move through levels as they master the corresponding skills. Our classroom goal is to have each child reading on a D or E level by the end of the school year in order to be prepared for the first grade. We will use these books in my classroom every single day for reading instruction.
My students want to grow up to change the world. Please know that by giving them the resources they need for success, you have truly changed their world and the path of their lives from here on out.
With gratitude,
Ms. M.

Reply to the classroom

Dec 7, 2009 DonorsChoose.org

Good news: Project fully funded!

Dec 7, 2009 Ricardo gave from New York supporting "AMERICAN IDOL" KARAOKE

Dec 7, 2009 Ricardo from New York supporting "AMERICAN IDOL" KARAOKE

"I gave to this project because reading is the key to building the intellectual foundation for success; you should read at least three times as much as you play video games."

Dec 7, 2009 Ms. M. the Teacher

"Thank you so much everyone! I am so touched and I cannot explain how much this will affect my students lives."

Dec 7, 2009 richard from New York supporting New York - Shared Services

"I donated because I want to support kids in New York (City)."

Dec 7, 2009 A donor supporting New York - Shared Services

"I gave to this project because I love helping others."

Dec 7, 2009 A donor supporting New York - Shared Services

"I donated because I want to support kids in New York (City)."

Dec 7, 2009 Justin from New York supporting "AMERICAN IDOL" KARAOKE

"I donated because the project will bring important learning opportunities to the classroom."

Dec 7, 2009 Jonathan from New York supporting New York - Shared Services

"I donated because I want to support kids in New York (City)."

Dec 7, 2009 Namon from New York supporting New York - Shared Services

"I gave to this project because you are the leaders of our tomorrows."

Dec 7, 2009 Justin from Connecticut

"I gave to this project because I want to help Ms. M inspire and teach the kids!"

Dec 3, 2009 Rob Ryan from New York

"I gave to this project because equality in education without equality in educational resources is impossible. "

Dec 1, 2009 John C an associate at donorschoose.org

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

Nov 30, 2009 Cathe D 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 30, 2009Ms. M. - Teacher

Project Details

Materials	Vendor	Price	#	Total
BOOK GUIDED READING #1 LEVEL A-B PACK OF 12	ABC School Supply, Inc.	$23.99	5	$119.95
BOOK GUIDED READING #2 LEVEL B-C PACK OF 12	ABC School Supply, Inc.	$23.99	5	$119.95
BOOK GUIDED READING #3 LEVEL C-D PACK OF 12	ABC School Supply, Inc.	$23.99	5	$119.95
BOOK GUIDED READING #6 LEVEL D-E PACK OF 12	ABC School Supply, Inc.	$35.99	4	$143.96

Vendor Shipping Charges				$50.38
State Sales Tax				$0.00
3rd Party Payment Processing Fee				$7.56
Fulfillment Labor & Materials				$9.00
Project Cost Excluding Donation to Support DonorsChoose.org				$570.75
Optional Donation to Support DonorsChoose.org				$125.29
Project Cost Including Donation to Support DonorsChoose.org				$696.04
9 Donors				-$696.06
To Go				$0.00