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This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Heckman from Peoria, IL is requesting books through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Ms. Heckman is requesting
Fully Funded

Ms. Heckman's classroom raised $751

Bringing Joy and Family into the Classroom

My students need memoir writing books, a scanner, and their own personal notebooks.

Classroom photo
Ms. Heckman Manual High School
Peoria, IL Grades 9-12

My Students

Most people enjoy reading stories they can relate to. For many of my students, who are reluctant writers, having the opportunity to write their own story and read the stories of their classmates may provide exactly the push they need to truly dive into an assignment that is relevant and interesting.

My classroom is in a school in an area that is considered high poverty.

Through my work with these young people, I have met exciting, amazing kids with spectacular stories to share. However, scores of over 70% of the students have not been meeting state standards on state tests, and the school is currently undergoing federal restructuring. These children need opportunities to practice writing in a way that is non-threatening and has relevance and purpose to them. What better way to practice writing than by starting with a subject that is sure to be of interest to the students--themselves and their lives? If this project is funded, it will allow the high school students to practice writing coherent, fluid stories using a variety of writing techniques. This type of experience will serve as a useful stepping stone to helping the students become more interested in other types of writing as well.

My Project

We all know that a key to an interesting English classroom is books that are of high interest but that are also appropriate for the age of students who are reading them. With the requested materials, group sets of memoirs for literature circles, a classroom set of a book geared toward writing memoir, and a scanner and notebooks for student use, the students' reading and writing skills will be vastly improved. The students will have the opportunity to see well-written, thought-provoking writing, discuss the ideas included in the works, and then write their own stories. With the aid of computers available in the school and a scanner that can be used to bring in their own pictures and artifacts, they can create a high-quality memoir they write themselves. To close the unit, we may also take the opportunity to invite parents and caregivers to listen to student read excerpts of their work, should they care to share it.

Unfortunately, high school may be the last formal educational environment a number of my students may see.

A number of them seem, to outward appearances, to have given up on the idea of school and learning before I even meet them. I refuse to let my classroom be a place where despair and fear of failure rules. I want to provide a learning experience that will help connect my students, their lives, and their experiences to learning and writing in a positive way. Please help me achieve this dream.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Nearly all students from low‑income households

85 students impacted 10 donors
Ms. Heckman Manual High School Grades 9-12

Celebrate Black teachers and kids! This project supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of students are Black.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Peoria, IL View local requests

Nearly all 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

85 students impacted 10donors

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
COLLEGE RULE,SPIRAL NOTEBOOK,11"X8-7/8",70 SHEETS,1 SUBJECT -- Ampad. Microperforated Spiral Notebooks; 1-Subject, 70 Sheets/Book • Quill $9.98 5 $49.90
HP SCANJET G3110 PHOTO SCANNER -- HP Scanners; ScanJet G3110 • Quill $99.99 1 $99.99
Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life Anne Lamott • Barnes and Noble $10.26 24 $246.24
Warriors Don't Cry Melba Pattillo Beals • Barnes and Noble $5.97 6 $35.82
A Child Called It: One Child's Courage to Survive Dave Pelzer • Barnes and Noble $8.17 6 $49.02
Growing up X Ilyasah Shabazz, Kim McLarin • Barnes and Noble $12.14 6 $72.84
Please Stop Laughing at Me: One Woman's Inspirational Story Jodee Blanco • Barnes and Noble $8.85 6 $53.10

Materials cost

$606.91

Vendor shipping charges

 $1.50

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$9.10

Fulfillment labor & materials

$35.00

Total project cost

$652.51

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$97.50

Total project goal

$750.01

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $750.01

8 Donors

-$375.01

Donations toward project cost

-$326.26

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$48.75

match offer

-$375.00

Match offer toward project cost

-$326.25

Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$48.75

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

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. Heckman and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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