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Mr. Thackeray from West Valley City, UT is requesting books through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

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Fully Funded

Mr. Thackeray's classroom raised $276

Our Room Goes to Birmingham

My students need a classroom set of The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963 to learn about the racial trends that plagued our country during that decade.

Classroom photo
Mr. Thackeray profile photo
Mr. Thackeray Harry S Truman Elementary School
West Valley City, UT Grades 3-5

My Students

"Those who do not learn from the past are doomed to repeat it." It is hard to instill an accurate idea of what the past was like. Even I don't know. The Watson family is a family that my students can relate to and empathize with while learning about one of the uglier periods in our nation's history.

I have the most amazing students in the world.

They are so excited to learn and have such an amazing love for the world around them, it's almost like my job is a vacation. Our class is a 4th/5th grade split class, and although the rest of their school sees them as half fourth graders and half fifth graders, they have truly become one class. They attend a moderately low income public school, which just happens to be the greatest school in the west. However, many of them come from homes where both parents work, or where maybe their only parent works. Some of them don't have shelves full of books to read, and so have never realized the joy of being a part of someone else's story. I hope that I can give them that opportunity. Empathy is such a strong emotion, and I want my students to catch a glimpse of what it must have been like for a family like the Watsons to grow up during the racial trends of the 60's. I hope my students can learn from the past, and resolve to make a better future

My Project

Concerning racism, our country has come a long way. I'm sure we still have a long way to go, but we have made some progress. My students, and even me, have no idea what it must have been like to live in a time where racism was the norm. Far too often, parents and even teachers tend to shield their children from some of the uglier periods of our nation's history. But our children need to learn from the past. I think the best way for children to learn is through experience. Now, I don't want my students to experience racism, but I do want them to empathize with those who have been the target of racism. With each student having their own copy of the book, my class will be able to connect more closely with the Watsons and the trials they face as they try to make it down to Florida. In my experience, students on a much more personal level when they have their own copy of the book than when they are simply listening to the teacher read it aloud.

My students and I as well, have grown up in a "protected" environment.

We don't deal with racism on a daily basis--it hasn't ever been a big problem. This is good, but I want my students to know what it was once like. I want them to see that the world they now live in is a result of people--one by one--making a change in their lives. I want my students to realize that every decision, every act of tolerance can make a difference in the world.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

More than half of students from low‑income households

28 students impacted 7 donors
Mr. Thackeray Harry S Truman Elementary School Grades 3-5

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

West Valley City, UT View local requests

More than half 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

28 students impacted 7donors

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
The Watsons Go to Birmingham (pbk) • AKJ Books $5.17 30 $155.10
1963 Birmingham Church Bombing • AKJ Books $25.15 1 $25.15
Birmingham, 1963 • AKJ Books $16.16 1 $16.16

Materials cost

$196.41

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$2.95

Fulfillment labor & materials

$35.00

Total project cost

$234.36

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$41.36

Total project goal

$275.72

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $275.72

5 Donors

-$265.72

Donations toward project cost

-$225.86

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$39.86

match offer

-$10.00

Match offer toward project cost

-$8.50

Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$1.50

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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