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This teacher needs your help!

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

See what Ms. Simpkins is requesting

Diverse Books for Our Diverse Classroom!

My students need high-quality, engaging, diverse books for our classroom. These books will be used as read-alouds, and they will also have their own book bin in the classroom library so students can interact with them.

FULLY FUNDED! Ms. Simpkins's classroom raised $400

This project is fully funded

My Students

First grade is such an important year, as students are expected to enter this grade being able to read at a Level C and exit the grade on Level J. Out of every grade, this is the greatest leap in reading level that is expected. It's amazing seeing my students come in on the first day only knowing a few words and then being able to read grade-level books independently by the end of the year. Through reading and listening to stories, my students also learn important lessons and social skills, such as how to be a good friend, appropriately expressing their emotions, taking pride in their work, having the courage to be different, etc. I love watching how much my students grow academically and socially.

My students are motivated and eager to learn, despite challenges they face.

Our school receives Title 1 funding and the majority of students enrolled in the school come from economically disadvantaged families. I want to be sure I'm doing everything I can to give my students the education they deserve and promote a love of learning.

My Project

This is my second year teaching and most of the books in my classroom library currently were passed down to me. Many are old, on an inappropriate grade level, low-quality, and they are not very diverse.

My classroom is full of unique students from different walks of life, and it is important for them to be adequately represented in the stories we read in our classroom.

This is why I am asking for books that include characters of varying races, cultures, family structures, and economic statuses. Stories like Last Stop on Market Street, A Shelter in Our Car, and Fred Stays with Me are some examples of such books. I also am in need of stories that teach important lessons like courage, kindness, and embracing differences.

I want my students to feel engaged and truly connected to the stories in our classroom so they can develop a deep and long-lasting love for reading.

Project tagged as

Philadelphia, PA
Grades PreK-2
Character Education
Literacy
Traditional School
Books
Nearly all students from low‑income households

Ms. Simpkins Avery D Harrington Elementary School Grades PreK-2

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

Equity Focus

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Philadelphia, PA 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

24 students impacted 6donors

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes

Materials Cost Quantity Total

Last Stop on Market Street • Amazon Business $12.14 2 $24.28

A Place to Read • Amazon Business $16.44 1 $16.44

Love • Amazon Business $14.86 1 $14.86

We Don't Eat Our Classmates • Amazon Business $14.39 1 $14.39

All Are Welcome • Amazon Business $14.13 1 $14.13

Maddi's Fridge • Amazon Business $13.63 1 $13.63

There Might Be Lobsters • Amazon Business $13.31 1 $13.31

The Big Bed • Amazon Business $13.21 1 $13.21

Each Kindness (Jane Addams Award Book (Awards)) • Amazon Business $12.99 1 $12.99

The Day the Crayons Quit • Amazon Business $12.64 1 $12.64

The Thing Lou Couldn't Do • Amazon Business $12.56 1 $12.56

Sparkle Boy • Amazon Business $12.48 1 $12.48

No, David! • Amazon Business $12.41 1 $12.41

The Big Umbrella • Amazon Business $12.14 1 $12.14

Pink Is For Blobfish: Discovering the World's Perfectly Pink Animals (The World of Weird Animals) • Amazon Business $11.89 1 $11.89

Creepy Pair of Underwear! • Amazon Business $11.48 1 $11.48

How to Read a Story • Amazon Business $10.82 1 $10.82

A Perfectly Messed-Up Story • Amazon Business $9.97 1 $9.97

Creepy Carrots! • Amazon Business $9.30 1 $9.30

A Shelter in Our Car • Amazon Business $9.14 1 $9.14

A Bad Case of Tattle Tongue • Amazon Business $8.69 1 $8.69

Fred Stays With Me! • Amazon Business $7.99 1 $7.99

We Are in a Book! (An Elephant and Piggie Book) • Amazon Business $7.00 1 $7.00

My Mouth Is a Volcano! • Amazon Business $6.83 1 $6.83

Interrupting Chicken • Amazon Business $6.07 1 $6.07

Use Your Words • Amazon Business $5.99 1 $5.99

Materials cost			$304.64
Vendor shipping charges			FREE
Sales tax			$0.00
3rd party payment processing fee			$4.57
Fulfillment labor & materials			$30.00
Total project cost			$339.21
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms			$59.86
Total project goal			$399.07
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal			$399.07
5 Donors			-$241.42
Donations toward project cost			-$212.56
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms			-$28.86
match offer			-$149.00
Match offer toward project cost			-$126.65
Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms			-$22.35
Excluded support for DonorsChoose			-$8.65
Still needed View calculation Hide 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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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. Simpkins and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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Help teachers & students in your hometown this season! Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.

This teacher needs your help!

Diverse Books for Our Diverse Classroom!

This project is fully funded

My Students

My Project

Project tagged as

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

Equity Focus

Boost your odds

Top rated for efficiency and transparency.

TEACHERS, FEELING INSPIRED?

Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes

How we calculate what's needed

Give the most requested basic supplies

Give back to your community

Project Activity

Project Activity

DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season!
Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.