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Ms. Trauger from Philadelphia PA is requesting classroom basics through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

A Collaborative Community: Encouraging Student Discourse in the Classroom

My students need classroom supplies to create a collaborative learning environment.

  • $382 goal

Hooray! This project is fully funded

Hooray! This project is fully funded

Celebrate Black Teachers and Students

This project is part of the Black History Month celebration because it supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of the students are Black.

My Students

"I want to run a homeless shelter." "I want to be a criminal defense lawyer." "I want to be a pediatrician." My students' passions constantly inspire me. As a group, they collectively have a deep desire to help.

These kids want to know about the world and become useful people within their communities.

Many of my students want to generate change, however, they lack some foundational literacies that directly impact their ability to achieve their goals.

Like many city schools, our students struggle with functioning below grade level, as well as other common complications of urban life in diverse communities. Though the school at large is equipped to combat some of these issues, for instance, qualifying for 100% free lunch, we're still striving to prepare our students for the best future possible. Reimagining possibility is a great first step. Now, we need to create a new reality for what urban students can achieve.

My Project

Having 24 teachers is better than one. If my students see learning as a collaborative process, they will be able to utilize one another as “knowledge boosters” and work to enhance their understanding organically through conversations with their peers. The supplies you help fund will create an environment where students work together to gain knowledge unreachable on their own.

Though students are engaged in challenging cognitive work as they collaborate, they often feel like they’re just talking.

Imagine two students working together to decipher a complex text. On their own, they might give up, or underperform. However, as the two students talk, they are able to fill in gaps in understanding with the knowledge presented by their partner, as well as emotionally support one another through the challenge of tackling the text. Talking, then, becomes much more than an exercise in presentation, or self-confidence—it is the foundation of knowledge acquisition.

Markers and paper for collaborative posters, binders for organizing group work, and pocket protectors for partner annotations create a snapshot of how your support will create moments for students to collaboratively learn.

Privileging student voice is critical if children are to develop beyond passive recipients of what the teacher says, and allows them instead, to create pathways into exploring their own intellectual curiosity. Now, going into my third year of teaching, and heavily influence by education theorists such as Lev Vygotsky and Paulo Freire, I want to center student talk as the root through which the rest of my classroom grows. I hope you can help.

Ms. Trauger
Grades 6-8

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Expand the "Where your donation goes" section below to see exactly what Ms. Trauger is requesting.

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TEACHERS, FEELING INSPIRED?

You can start a project with the same resources being requested here!

Where Your Donation Goes

Materials Cost Quantity Total
Color Swell Washable Markers Bulk Pack 36 Sets 8 Count Vibrant Colors 288 Total Perfect Large Pack for Teachers, Kids and Classrooms • Amazon Business $43.99 1 $43.99
Filexec 3 Ring Binder, 1 Inch Capacity, Opaque, Letter size, Pack of 4, Blue, Hot Pink, Purple, Green (50162-6497) • Amazon Business $15.96 2 $31.92
Scotch 5-Inch Soft Touch Pointed Kid Scissors, 12 Count Teacher Pack, Green (1442P-12) • Amazon Business $15.53 2 $31.06
Bulman A50018 All Steel, Rubber Feet, 18" Paper Cutter • Amazon Business $30.70 1 $30.70
Set of 4 GLITTER Utility Storage Box for School Supplies or Arts & Crafts 8" x 5" x 2.5" • Amazon Business $13.43 2 $26.86
30 Pack Dry Erase Pockets – Black – By Essex Wares – For Teacher Lessons in a Classroom or For Use at Your Home or Office – Fits Standard 8.5” X 11” Paper • Amazon Business $24.99 1 $24.99
EXPO 86001 Low Odor Dry Erase Marker, Fine Point, Black (Pack of 12) • Amazon Business $9.14 2 $18.28
officematters Cute Magnetic Chalkboard Whiteboard Dry Erasers Cleaner. Pack of 24 (24Pcs - Yellow) • Amazon Business $13.99 1 $13.99
AmazonBasics 50% Recycled Color Paper - Green, 8.5 x 11 Inches, 20 lbs, 1 Ream (500 Sheets) • Amazon Business $9.99 1 $9.99
AmazonBasics 50% Recycled Color Paper - Blue, 8.5 x 11 Inches, 20 lbs, 1 Ream (500 Sheets) • Amazon Business $9.99 1 $9.99
AmazonBasics 50% Recycled Color Paper - Yellow, 8.5 x 11 Inches, 20 lbs, 1 Ream (500 Sheets) • Amazon Business $9.99 1 $9.99
Elmer's All Purpose School Glue Sticks, Washable, 30 Pack, 0.24-ounce sticks • Amazon Business $9.86 1 $9.86
Sharpie 25053 Tank Highlighters, Chisel Tip, Assorted Colors, 12-Count • Amazon Business $4.92 2 $9.84
Sparco Bulldog Clip, Magnetic Back, Size 1, 1-1/4 X 3/8 Inches Cap, 18/Box, Silver (SPR58506) • Amazon Business $9.24 1 $9.24
Exact 26741 Domtar Exact Color Copy Paper, 8-1/2" x 11" Size, 20 lb., 0.85" Height, 8.5" Width, 11" Length, Bright Pink (Pack of 500) • Amazon Business $8.99 1 $8.99

Materials cost

$289.69

Vendor shipping charges

FREE

Sales tax

$0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$4.35

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$324.04

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$57.18

Total project goal

$381.22

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

$381.22

5 Donors

-$381.22

Donations toward project cost

-$324.04

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$57.18

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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