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This teacher needs your help!

Mr. Barkett from La Mesa, CA is requesting books through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

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Improving Literacy with Lessons from Gang Life

My students need 19 copies each of "Monster" by Sanyika Shakur and "Always Running" by Luis Rodriguez.

  • $586 goal

This project expired on May 21, 2010.

This project expired on May 21, 2010.

Classroom photo
Mr. Barkett Helix Charter High School
La Mesa, CA Grades 9-12

I teach 10th and 12th grade English to college-prep high school students. Day after day, I teach classic literature, books ranging from Shakespeare to “To Kill a Mockingbird.” My students find it difficult to get excited about these books from eras gone by. My students get through these books greatly in part to my effort to drag them through these texts. As my students get closer and closer to graduation, I sense their frustration with literature and reading in general. While I always promote the idea of going to college, I do not believe that my students truly aspire to continue their educations. With a dire lack of educational funding, there is no money to purchase books to spark my students’ interest while simultaneously making them think about their lives, which are challenging, difficult, and often heart-breaking. I need books which my students can connect to their daily lives, while inspiring them to seek more from life and their educational journeys. I have asked for books that I hope will lead to increasing their reading skills by examining negative aspects of gang life in addition to continuing their educations by going to college. We need 19 copies each of "Monster" by Sanyika Shakur and "Always Running" Luis Rodriguez for my classes. My students will be engaged by gripping stories of gang life. These novels take the glamor out of the idea that being a “thug” that seems to be everywhere from movies to music and even to video games. My students will be drawn in by the allure of being a “gangster,” but left with harsh realities and thought provoking life lessons that will stay with them long after they finish these books. These books can provide huge motivation step toward my students wanting to go to college, developing the literacy skills, as they are increasing able to reflect on the significance of life’s events ranging from joyful to life changing. I know times are tough for everyone right now, but you can make the difference. I want my students to ask more of themselves, of how much they choose to read, and of wanting to continue their educations in college. Any help is greatly appreciated.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

More than half of students from low‑income households

120 students impacted
Mr. Barkett Helix Charter High School Grades 9-12

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

La Mesa, CA View local requests

More than half of students from low‑income households Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more

120 students impacted

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Always Running: La Vida Loca: Gang Days in L. A. Luis J. Rodriguez, Luis Rodriguez (Introduction) • Barnes and Noble $10.80 19 $205.20
Monster: The Autobiography of an L.A. Gang Member Sanyika Shakur • Barnes and Noble $10.08 19 $191.52

Materials cost

$396.72

Vendor shipping charges

 $39.67

Sales tax

 $28.76

3rd party payment processing fee

$5.95

Fulfillment labor & materials

$9.00

Total project cost

$480.10

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$105.39

Total project goal

$585.49

Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.

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