Fourth Grade Fiction Writers Seek Publishing Opportunity (Classroom Project at DonorsChoose.org)

Fourth Grade Fiction Writers Seek Publishing Opportunity

Classroom project requested by Ms. S. on Feb 3, 2010

Minimal Poverty

Maine

Where is the classroom located?

"Please help us publish our fiction stories in picture book format to read to younger students in our school. We are a fourth grade in a public school in Maine. Our entire school is involved in a fiction writing project. We have been writing some great stories and would like to publish them to read t..." more»

We have worked really hard on these stories, but do not have the money to buy blank hardcover books or purchase the materials to make our own books. As in many communities, our school budget has been frozen for the remainder of the school year.

The entire fourth grade in our school is involved in a fiction writing project and our six fourth grade teachers have collaborated on the project under the mentorship of a published children's picture book author. Through our fiction writing project, our students have learned about the elements of good fiction and have applied this knowledge to our own stories. We need blank books for publishing our stories. When we have finished our drafts, we will carefully consider which text to place on each page of the books you provide for us. We will then illustrate our stories and read them to the younger students in our school. Blank books are all we need to make this project complete.

You will make is possible for us to celebrate our work. You will help us to feel like published authors by providing us with the means to publish our writing in a real book which we will cherish for years to come. Imagine our delight and pride when reading our books to the younger students in our school and our families at home! hide»

My students need 130 blank hardcover books. details»

Jun 24 Rita G a staff member at donorschoose.org

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

Jun 07 Ms. S. the Teacher

Bigger Photos

Reply to the classroom

Dear Rebecca, The Knupps, Amy Chipman, shawn, The Crovo family, The Malter Family, Sue Sarka, Eva, Jane, Pam, schaedels', Olivia, The Berman family, CIndy, The Gillies Family, Leona, karen and Anonymous Donors,

Thank you all so very much for donating to our fiction writing project. The fourth grade students and their teachers were very grateful for the opportunity to publish student work in such an appealing form that was at once a recognition for the students' hard work and a close approximation of what published authors produce.
After weeks of working with their teachers to craft high quality stories, our students were very excited to begin publishing their stories in their own beautiful hardcover books. The process of revising, editing and preparing the stories for publication provided an excellent learning experience for the students. The fact that there existed a clear and engaging purpose for the work made the learning that much more valuable and lasting. Illustrating the stories was the frosting on the cake as most children of nine and ten years are thrilled to have the opportunity to express their artistic creativity.

Once the books were complete, the learning did not end. Our students partnered with younger classes in the school and read the books to the students in those classes. Needless to say, this was a thrill for our fourth graders and a treat for the younger students. Our books have now made the trip home to be enjoyed with our families and saved as a precious school memory for years to come.

Thank you all so much for making this dream a reality for all of us!

With gratitude,
Ms. S.

Reply to the classroom

Mar 04 Jenni D a staff member at donorschoose.org

Purchased the supplies for Ms. S.'s classroom and notified the school principal of delivery.

Mar 04 Ms. S. the Teacher

Dear Rebecca, The Knupps, Amy Chipman, shawn, The Crovo family, The Malter Family, Sue Sarka, Eva, Jane, Pam, schaedels', Olivia, The Berman family, CIndy, The Gillies Family, Leona, karen and Anonymous Donors,

I cannot begin to adequately express my gratitude for your generosity in funding this project. I can tell you however, that when I announced to my students that we now have enough money for our books, a very excited cheer reverberated through our room!

The fiction-writing project has allowed me to further develop and enhance my skills as a teacher. Through this project my students have learned the elements of quality writing. These include: identifying a topic, creating an engaging character with a compelling desire, how to write quality details in order to "create a movie behind a reader's eyes", how to write a catchy lead and satisfying ending and how to revise and edit a piece for clear communication.

The students have worked very hard on their stories and are thrilled to have the opportunity to celebrate their accomplishment by publishing their stories in the beautiful books you have provided for them and reading them to the younger students in our school.

Thank you for sharing my vision and making this dream a reality for me and for my students!
With gratitude,
Ms. S.

Reply to the classroom

Mar 04 DonorsChoose.org

Good news: Project fully funded!

Mar 04 Olivia from Omaha, NE

"I helped because I'm a strong believer in education and wanted to see your project funded."

Mar 04 The Gillies Family from Maine

"We gave to this project because we love how enthusiastic the teachers are about this project. Our kids will feel it too."

Mar 03 Ms. S. the Teacher

"We are so close now. Thank you!"

Mar 03 The Knupps from Maine

"I helped because I'm a strong believer in Literature & Writing education."

Mar 03 Ms. S. the Teacher

"We're almost there! Thank you all so much!"

Mar 03 A donor

"Education is the best foundation for a better life for all."

Mar 03 Leona from Cape Elizabeth, ME

"I helped because I'm a strong believer in Literature & Writing education."

Mar 03 Amy Chipman from Maine

"I gave to this project because my son is in this 4th grade class and I wanted to help them out in this endeavor. It's a great idea!! "

Mar 03 shawn from Maine

"I gave to this project because I believe in childrens potential."

Mar 03 Ms. S. the Teacher

"The kids are three-fourths of the way through writing their stories and are very excited about putting them in book form. Thank you very much for helping us to get there!"

Mar 02 The Crovo family from Cape Elizabeth, ME

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

Mar 02 Ms. S. the Teacher

"You are all so generous, and we are most grateful. Thank you all so much!"

Mar 02 CIndy from Maine

"I gave to this project because I love reading the kids' stories and see how much pride they take in their work"

Mar 02 The Berman family from Maine

"Have fun writing your new books!"

Mar 02 Ms. S. the Teacher

"Wonderful, thank you so much!"

Mar 02 The Malter Family from Cape Elizabeth, ME

"I helped because I'm a strong believer in Literature & Writing education."

Mar 01 Ms. S. the Teacher

"Thank you, Sue! Your generosity is so appreciated. The final product will be beautiful!"

Mar 01 Sue Sarka from Cape Elizabeth, ME

"I gave to this project because I want to support our teachers and kids!"

Feb 26 Ms. S. the Teacher

"Thank you, Rebecca. We appreciate your thoughtfulness and generosity very much! Our students are writing a wide variety of stories, and it is very rewarding to see how invested they are in the process of writing. It is a treat to work with the children on their stories, especially since each and every one of them is so engaging :-)"

Feb 26 Rebecca from Maine

"I gave to this project because I know you will write and illustrate beautiful books with the help of your amazing teachers."

Feb 20 Ms. S. the Teacher

"Thank you, Eva! The idea of seeing their stories published in these beautiful books is very inspiring to the children!"

Feb 19 Eva from Cape Elizabeth, ME

"I gave to this project because I hope this will give our future authors motivation and inspiration in their writing!"

Feb 16 Ms. S. the Teacher

"Thank you all so much! The children's stories are coming along beautifully. They are working diligently and enthusiastically on the craft of writing an engaging story that will keep their readers turning the pages. I can't wait to see their stories published in the books you are providing! Thank you, thank you!"

Feb 16 Jane from Maine

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

Feb 15 Pam from Maine

"I gave to this project because I hope it inspires students to write more. Maybe there's even a future J.K. Rowling out there!!!"

Feb 11 karen from Maine

"I helped because I'm a strong believer in Literature & Writing education."

Feb 11 Ms. S. the Teacher

"Thank you so much! My students and I are excited to receive our first donations. We greatly appreciate your generosity and interest in our project!"

Feb 11 schaedels' from Maine

"I helped because I'm a strong believer in Literature & Writing education."

Feb 11 A donor gave

Feb 07 Ryan G an associate at donorschoose.org

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

Feb 06 Jenie V 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.

Feb 3, 2010Ms. S. - Teacher

Project Details

Materials	Vendor	Price	#	Total
AA774 - Blank Hardcover Book - Set of 10	Lakeshore Learning	$29.95	13	$389.35

Vendor Shipping Charges				$38.94
State Sales Tax				$19.47
3rd Party Payment Processing Fee				$5.84
Fulfillment Labor & Materials				$9.00
Project Cost Excluding Donation to Support DonorsChoose.org				$462.60
Optional Donation to Support DonorsChoose.org				$101.55
Project Cost Including Donation to Support DonorsChoose.org				$564.15
19 Donors				-$564.15
To Go				$0.00