Women's Suffrage: Empowering Students to Take a Stand (Classroom Project at DonorsChoose.org)

Women's Suffrage: Empowering Students to Take a Stand

Classroom project requested by Ms. K. on Feb 11, 2010

High Poverty

Texas

Where is the classroom located?

"I teach 5th Grade Social Studies and need something to help grab my students’ attention with US History. My favorite way to yank them is to tell them stories they won't find in their text books. The suggested books are great books to either tell a unique story or see the event from a different perspective. Our school is a Title I school where 85% of our students are on free and reduced lunches. I can only put so much money of my own into the classroom and would not ask the parents because I know that they are hardworking people that need the money themselves.

The textbooks are boring. They were boring when I was in school and not much has changed. Knowing how much I disliked reading fact after fact in the book, I realized that I could get the same information if someone told it to me in story form. That is what I try to do with my students- make sure that they see how far we have come as a nation and make it meaningful to them. Telling stories that are not widely known can really pull them in. Biographies about an array of people will help students personally attach themselves to individuals who had the willpower to make a difference.

The books that are listed are ones that tell a unique story of women who stood up and fought for women’s right to vote so that we would have a voice in the way our nation was run. The women in these books are strong and believed that men and women were equal. These women were persecuted in harsh ways but chose to continue fighting because this was a cause they truly believed in: a lesson I want my students to learn.

By helping purchase these books, you are helping students grasp a better understanding about our nation’s history and how they have the power to change the world. hide»

My students need 11 books about Women's Rights, including "Independent Dames: What You Never Knew About the Women and Girls of the American Revolution" and "The Ballot Box Battle". details»

May 12 Odalisse F an intern at donorschoose.org

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

Apr 27 Ms. K. the Teacher

Bigger Photos

Reply to the classroom

Dear Suzanne & Guy, Anna and Anonymous Donor,

Thank you so much for the generous donation to help supply my classroom with additional resources for the students to take advantage of. The unique history books that you have donated have helped my students see our history from viewpoints not always looked at in textbooks. We've used the books to write point of view letters from women who would have fought a fight that no one thought they would win. We have created biographies of women who led this courageous fight and the biographies on men who support their efforts. But most importantly, we are using our reading strategies for non-fiction texts. This is something that most 5^th graders struggle with. The information given can sometimes be too wordy or use higher vocabulary. These books are forcing students to breakdown the information to their level and understand what it is saying. This not only ties reading into social studies but shows them how reading strategies are a life skill used everywhere.

Our school is a Title I school where 85% of our students are on free and reduced lunches. I can only put so much money of my own into the classroom and would not ask the parents because I know that they are hardworking people that need the money themselves. You have helped bring in much needed supplies to our school. Not only are the books being used in my room but being passed around for others to use on my campus.

Without donors like you, some schools would be lacking necessary items to teach students well. By helping purchase these books, you have helped students grasp a better understanding about our nation's history. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

With gratitude,
Ms. K.

Reply to the classroom

Apr 19 Jenni D a staff member at donorschoose.org

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

Apr 19 Ms. K. the Teacher

Dear Suzanne & Guy, Anna and Anonymous Donor,

Thank you so much for your exceptional gift. I’m so excited to go in tomorrow with my class and share with them what we will be receiving. My students are eager to learn about our history and the books you helped purchase will make that information easily accessible to them.

The books you have funded will enable students to open new doors on information that had little to no access within our school textbooks. I will be able to assign research projects based on these books that will expose the students to the bravery and triumphs of women who helped shape our nation.

I can’t wait to share these books with other teachers in my building. Any extra resources we can get our hands on, we are extremely thankful for. Thank you again!

With gratitude,
Ms. K.

Reply to the classroom

Apr 17 Ms. K. the Teacher

"Thank you Suzanne & Guy! I am so excited about using these books!!"

Apr 16 DonorsChoose.org

Good news: Project fully funded!

Apr 16 Suzanne & Guy from Alexandria, VA

"We helped because we are big believers in the power of education and wanted to fund your project. Good luck!"

Apr 16 A donor gave

Feb 24 Ms. K. the Teacher

"Thank you for your donation Anna!"

Feb 24 Anna gave from Austin, TX

Feb 15 Ryan G an associate at donorschoose.org

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

Feb 14 Cheri M a staff member 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 11, 2010Ms. K. - Teacher

Project Details

Materials	Vendor	Price	#	Total
Fighting for Equal Rights: A Story about Susan B. Anthony Maryann N. Weidt, Amanda Sartor (Illustrator), Amanda Sartor (Translator)	Barnes and Noble	$19.14	1	$19.14
Ballots for Belva: The True Story of a Woman's Race for the Presidency Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen, Courtney E. Martin (Illustrator)	Barnes and Noble	$15.25	1	$15.25
...If You Lived When Women Won Their Rights Kamma, Pamela Johnson, Pamela Johnson (Illustrator)	Barnes and Noble	$5.39	1	$5.39
You Wouldn't Want to Be a Suffragist!: A Protest Movement That's Rougher Than You Expected Fiona MacDonald, David Antram (Illustrator), Created by David Salariya	Barnes and Noble	$8.95	1	$8.95
Mama Went to Jail for the Vote Kathleen Karr, Bonnie Christensen, Malene Laugesen (Illustrator)	Barnes and Noble	$14.39	1	$14.39
Elizabeth Leads the Way: Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the Right to Vote Tanya Lee Stone, Rebecca Gibbon (Illustrator)	Barnes and Noble	$15.29	1	$15.29
The Ballot Box Battle Emily Arnold McCully, Emily Arnold McCully (Illustrator)	Barnes and Noble	$6.29	1	$6.29
Sky High: The True Story of Maggie Gee Marissa Moss, Carl Angel	Barnes and Noble	$15.29	1	$15.29
Remember the Ladies: 100 Great American Women Cheryl Harness, Cheryl Harness (Illustrator)	Barnes and Noble	$8.09	1	$8.09
You Want Women to Vote, Lizzie Stanton? Jean Fritz, DyAnne DiSalvo-Ryan, Dyanne Disalvo-Ryan (Illustrator)	Barnes and Noble	$6.29	1	$6.29
Independent Dames: What You Never Knew About the Women and Girls of the American Revolution Laurie Halse Anderson, Matt Faulkner (Illustrator)	Barnes and Noble	$13.59	1	$13.59

Vendor Shipping Charges				$0.00
State Sales Tax				$0.00
3rd Party Payment Processing Fee				$1.92
Fulfillment Labor & Materials				$9.00
Project Cost Excluding Donation to Support DonorsChoose.org				$138.88
Optional Donation to Support DonorsChoose.org				$30.49
Project Cost Including Donation to Support DonorsChoose.org				$169.37
3 Donors				-$169.37
To Go				$0.00