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This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Smith from Ashland, MA is requesting books through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Ms. Smith is requesting

Modern Day Myths

My students need 5 sets of Greek mythology books and reading tabs to use strategies for remembering information while reading.

  • $426 goal

This project expired on November 28, 2010.

This project expired on November 28, 2010.

Classroom photo
Ms. Smith David Mindess School
Ashland, MA Grades 9-12

My Students

Teaching ninth grade students who have been struggling (and therefore uninterested) readers is a challenge that can be met with The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. It is a high interest novel that teaches Greek Mythology in a fun attainable way. Post-it flags will be used to mark important spots in the book and guide comprehension as they read.

My students enter high school reading below grade level.

They take my reading strategies class to give them an opportunity to develop skills so that they can better tackle the challenging reading in all content areas. Many of the students "hate to read" precisely because they do not have the literacy skills they need to read at grade level. As they learn strategies and become successful, they also gain confidence. By reading high interest books, they start to make meaningful connections to what they read. Often the students who are struggling readers have other obstacles outside of school. They may come from lower literacy abilities at home, and they may have begun to retreat from being a positive part of the school environment due to their performance in school. A teenager who cannot read will most likely find it hard to remain in high school. They learn in small groups and become close with one another through Socratic literature discussions.

My Project

I have students who confront classic required literature like Shakespeare and shut down. They open a chemistry text book and hide in the back of the room because they can't pronounce the words and don't want to ask. In reading, they are in a group setting of five - twelve students. We read poetry, literature, non-fiction content related materials, and it is vital that they understand WHY they are learning to read the above materials to lure them in to the reading process. The Lightning Thief is a clever novel because it uses real Greek Myths in a modern setting. The main character is a kid -- not unlike some of the students -- who is seen as a "behavior problem" with ADHD. He is a child of a single parent and he struggles to be understood by adults and deal with his demi-god powers. While reading the book together, students will use the flags to help them mark the text.

As stated earlier, the students use text code strategies to mark the text with sticky flags to help organize their thinking as they read.

We discuss in Socratic circles what they were thinking and questioning while reading. Also, students will have the opportunity to read the actual classic myths that the fiction story is referencing, and it becomes exciting for them to make connections to the myths.

Never Before Funded 80 students impacted
Ms. Smith David Mindess School Grades 9-12 Ashland, MA View local requests Never Before Funded 80 students impacted

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series #1) Rick Riordan • Barnes and Noble $6.83 20 $136.60
Mythology Edith Hamilton • Barnes and Noble $6.83 5 $34.15
D'Aulaire's Book of Greek Myths Edgar Parin d'Aulaire • Barnes and Noble $13.64 5 $68.20
Heroes, Gods and Monsters of the Greek Myths Bernard Evslin, William Hofmann (Illustrator), Bernard Evslin (Introduction) • Barnes and Noble $5.97 5 $29.85
Gods, Demigods and Demons: An Encyclopedia of Greek Mythology Bernard Evslin • Barnes and Noble $13.64 3 $40.92
POST IT PORTABLE FLAGS 1'' 160/PK STANDARD COLORS • School Specialty Inc. $9.40 1 $9.40
POST IT PORTABLE FLAGS 1'' 160/PK STANDARD COLORS • School Specialty Inc. $9.40 1 $9.40

Materials cost

$328.52

Vendor shipping charges

 $1.88

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$4.93

Fulfillment labor & materials

$35.00

Total project cost

$370.33

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$55.34

Total project goal

$425.67

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

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Project Activity

Project Activity
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Smith and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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