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This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Griffith from East Chicago, IN is requesting books through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

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Fully Funded

Ms. Griffith's classroom raised $301

The Copper Sun Shines Down on Us

My students need 29 copies of the riveting historical fiction novel "Copper Sun" by Sharon Draper to broaden their understanding of enslaved Africans in America.

Classroom photo
Ms. Griffith West Gary Lighthouse Charter School
East Chicago, IN Grades 6-8

My Students

It is not uncommon to hear the following as student descriptions of slavery in America: "Back in the day of slavery, white people hated black people." "All the white people was rich, the black people was poor."

For my students, the issue of slavery is one of deep curiosity and deep prejudice.

The story is black and white (literally and figuratively) and there's nothing more they need to know. When I bring up facts about white servants, free Africans and African-Americans owning prosperous businesses in the north, and white people who helped slaves escape, I am met with some disbelief and some distrust. It is time my middle schoolers grow beyond the basic story of our past and allow the three dimensional experiences of many shape their personal belief about this time in our country.

My Project

If I can pick one book to bring these 'gray area' perspectives on slavery, Copper Sun is the one I choose. The author, Sharon Draper, takes her brilliant literary style used in multiple stories about the lives of urban teenagers and uses it to weave an endlessly complicated historical fiction web of perspectives and experiences. The story follows the experiences of young Amari from the day she is kidnapped from her home in Africa to the moment she is given as a present to a slave master's son. Amari eventually trusts and connects with Polly, a white girl sold into indentured servitude by her family. Amari and Polly endure, escape, and struggle toward each of their own personal freedoms.

I cannot think of a more powerful story with which to prompt discussion and exploration beyond the simplified version of this era in America.

Please consider funding this grant to ignite the eye opening critical thinking I know my students are capable of.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

More than three‑quarters of students from low‑income households

100 students impacted 2 donors
Ms. Griffith West Gary Lighthouse Charter School Grades 6-8

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

East Chicago, IN View local requests

More than three‑quarters 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

100 students impacted 2donors

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Copper Sun Sharon M. Draper • Barnes and Noble $7.68 29 $222.72

Materials cost

$222.72

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$3.34

Fulfillment labor & materials

$35.00

Total project cost

$261.06

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$39.01

Total project goal

$300.07

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $300.07

1 Donor

-$96.00

Donations toward project cost

-$83.52

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$12.48

match offer

-$204.07

Match offer toward project cost

-$177.54

Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$26.53

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

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

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Project Activity

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DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

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. Griffith and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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