Bitten By The Vampire (Bug): Help My Kids to Read More (Classroom Project at DonorsChoose.org)

Bitten By The Vampire (Bug): Help My Kids to Read More

Classroom project requested by Ms. L. on Jun 2, 2010

High Poverty

Thomas Johnson Elem School 84
Baltimore, Maryland

My Students: Ten years ago, the Harry Potter series made lifelong readers of students who had never before completed a chapter book. Today, vampire literature serves to hook kids for life...

My Students: Ten years ago, the Harry Potter series made lifelong readers of students who had never before completed a chapter book. Today, vampire literature serves to hook kids for life, and I intend to capitalize on that trend, making my students long for a good novel the way a vampire longs for blood.

I teach wonderful middle schoolers in one of Maryland's high-poverty schools. We will be fully Title I in the next school year, meaning that even more children from low-income communities will be attending this school. Given the lack of access that most will have had to high-interest books, it is critical that these students be exposed to high-interest, readable books right away so that we may begin the intense work of improving all students' reading level by two years.

Most of my students are among the highest performing and most deserving in the city, and I want to push them even further. One-third of my students read significantly below grade level, particularly my special ed students. For this population as well, high-interest books are critical to their success.

My Project: I am eager to get my hands on more copies of vampire novels, for my students are nuts for them. Some students are crazy for the "Twilight" saga, and others for the "My Sister The Vampire" series. Some students become frustrated when they know that they must wait for a student to read and return a book to our library, and are reluctant to start another novel as they wait. I want for my students to be able to read as often as possible, and securing these novels will help. Such an intense love for the novel is sure to translate into an increased reading level, which creates a more productive member of society. The returns on this investment reach long into the future and will be felt throughout the community.

Having benefited many times over from the generous donors to Donors Choose, I assure you that my students are always so grateful for the resources that we receive. Your donation is more than just books in a classroom; it is a commitment to the future productivity of my students. You understand the value that literacy adds to your life, and you can help my students to enjoy that same value and develop a lifetime love of learning. hide»

My students need 18 more books, including 3 copies of the "Twilight Saga Collection". details»

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6 days ago Sarah from Baltimore, MD

"I'm really glad your students will now have more books to read!"

7 days ago Jenni D a staff member at donorschoose.org

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

7 days ago Ms. L. the Teacher

Dear Andrea, Zack, Dakota & Jack Kelly, Laine, Sarah, Rachael and Anonymous Donor,

I thank you so much for your generous donation to my classroom. My students, I know, will be thrilled to read these books. Particularly important is that the books are series books, meaning that a child who enjoys one will likely read three others. Half of my students read below grade level, and if we are to make up that gap before they begin high school, we must have access to awesome books immediately.

Your gift is more than books; it sends to my students the message that you are interested in their futures and that you have faith in their ability.
With gratitude,
Ms. L.

Reply to the classroom

Sep 01 DonorsChoose.org

Good news: Project fully funded!

Sep 01 Dakota & Jack Kelly from Los Angeles, CA

"We have family in Baltimore and we've heard that schools are having a hard time right now. We think everyone deserves a chance to read a great book. Happy reading!"

Sep 01 Andrea from Maryland

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

Sep 01 A donor gave

Sep 01 Ms. L. the Teacher

"Thanks to my generous benefactors for giving my kids the books they need to improve their reading levels to change their lives. Kids reading is a magical thing."

Aug 31 Rachael from Tennessee

"I gave to this project because making sure all students have books they can read and want to read is the single most important thing adults can do."

Aug 31 Zack gave from Pennsylvania

Aug 31 Laine from DuPont, WA

"Good luck with the new school year!"

Aug 31 Laine gave from DuPont, WA

Jun 19 Sarah from Baltimore, MD

"I gave to this project because students always need books that will encourage them to read."

Jun 03 Ryan G an associate at donorschoose.org

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

Jun 02 Kirsten F 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.

Jun 2, 2010Ms. L. - Teacher

Project Details

Materials	Vendor	Price	#	Total
The Twilight Saga Collection Stephenie Meyer	Barnes and Noble	$51.25	3	$153.75
Switched (My Sister the Vampire Series #1) Sienna Mercer	Barnes and Noble	$5.12	2	$10.24
Re-Vamped! (My Sister the Vampire Series #3) Sienna Mercer	Barnes and Noble	$5.12	2	$10.24
Vampalicious! (My Sister the Vampire Series #4) Sienna Mercer	Barnes and Noble	$5.12	2	$10.24

Vendor Shipping Charges				$0.00
State Sales Tax				$9.22
3rd Party Payment Processing Fee				$2.77
Fulfillment Labor & Materials				$9.00
Project Cost Excluding Donation to Support DonorsChoose.org				$205.46
Optional Donation to Support DonorsChoose.org				$45.10
Project Cost Including Donation to Support DonorsChoose.org				$250.56
7 Donors				-$250.56
To Go				$0.00