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Ms. Tysko from East Hartford, CT is requesting books through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

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Character Connections! Using Historical Fiction in the U.S. History Classroom

Help me give my students enriching historical fiction novels to use during our Civil War unit at the end of the year. With past groups, I've found using engaging historical fiction marries the content with exciting characters.

  • $285 goal

Hooray! This project is fully funded

Hooray! This project is fully funded

Keep the momentum going! Make a donation to Ms. Tysko for her next project!

Help Ms. Tysko

Keep the momentum going! Make a donation to Ms. Tysko for her next project!

My Students

Thomas Jefferson once said, "Difference of opinion leads to inquiry, and inquiry to the truth." Within my U.S. History classroom, I focus on student inquiry to tease out the truth behind the beginning of our nation's history. Creating eyeopening and light bulb moments for my students through honest discussions, peer collaboration, and document analysis provides the skills necessary for future education and the workforce, but it also sparks learner curiosity I hope that builds educational momentum and confidence.

My students show grit and tenacity every day when fighting through personal struggle to bring their best mind forward.

I encourage all students to find the truth about our nation's past as well as their own throughout our year's journey. Students learn that it's okay to disagree with each other because respectful dissent can be the best tool for learning. Our forefathers proved that overcoming personal and communal struggle can still lead to accomplishing powerful goals. I push my urban students constantly to chase the best versions of themselves and instill the pride of who they, their past journey, and achieving the high expectations for the future.

My Project

During our 4th quarter, we will look at one of the most historic times in our country's history: The American Civil War. Through exploring the battles and perspectives, I want students to see the humanity of war and slavery through historical fiction novels. I've read nearly 20 young adult Civil War historical fiction novels and selected some amazing choices for my students. These novels are engaging and differentiated for both interest and reading level. This project includes two of my choices: Soldier's Heart: Being the Story of the Enlistment and Due Service of the Boy Charley Goddard in the First Minnesota Volunteers and John Lincoln Clem: Civil War Drummer Boy.

In years past, students are more engaged in learning about the American Civil War when the factual content is paired with exciting historical fiction novels that interest them.

While reading these novels in class, students will practice their literacy skills within book club groups and compare the events to the facts learned in class. At the end of the unit, they will create a writing piece that connects their novel events/characters, information about the American Civil War, and the unit's Inquiry Statement (Societies can adopt, adapt or resist significant ideas in response to evolving values of interconnected people.) By providing a donation for this project, you will continue to instill the love of reading for my students and bring the Civil War to life in our classroom. Thank you for any amount you give because it all makes a difference!

Ms. Tysko Sunset Ridge School Grades 6-8

Equity Focus

This project directly supports students at a historically underfunded school. Learn more about our Equity Focus.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

More about Ms. Tysko

East Hartford, CT 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

110 students impacted 4donors

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
John Lincoln Clem: Civil War Drummer Boy (Based on a True Story) • Amazon Business $6.98 20 $139.60
Soldier's Heart: Being the Story of the Enlistment and Due Service of the Boy Charley Goddard in the First Minnesota Volunteers • Amazon Business $6.92 10 $69.20

Materials cost

$208.80

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$3.13

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$241.93

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$42.69

Total project goal

$284.62

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $284.62

3 Donors

-$284.62

Donations toward project cost

-$241.93

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$42.69

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

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

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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. Tysko and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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