My students need new books for our classroom library.
FULLY FUNDED! Ms. Dobkin's classroom raised $436
This project is fully funded
My Students
About a third of the students in our class were seriously impacted by the storm. Many live in public housing buildings where the power and water were shut off for over a week. The kids returned with stories of their cars being destroyed by flood waters, freezing nights without heat, and relatives hauling water up many flights of stairs so they could drink and bathe. It will be a while still before things go back to normal.
Each year, all of our school's book money must be spent on math and spelling workbooks. For this reason, the school is unable to buy new books for the classroom libraries. The PTA used to pay for new classroom books each year but due to a budget crunch, they can no longer do so.
My students are 4th graders in an urban New York state public school.
They are very diverse, ethnically, racially and socioeconomically. Our school is considered progressive. We put emphasis on learning using multiple strategies, from hands-on projects to the use of math manipulatives to class trips. During reader's workshop, children are allowed to choose their own books. However, they still must choose books that are at an appropriate reading level. I'm writing this grant because I want my students to be enthusiastic about reading. I think that getting a whole bunch of new books will increase their enthusiasm. I also think that getting new books will re-energize their interest in the books that we already have. If a student gets enthusiastic about a new copy of The Wizard of Oz with a new cover, she will be more likely to pick up the rest of the Oz series, which we already have.
My Project
I am requesting books from a variety of fiction and nonfiction genres. These books will take my students on journeys of imagination, from ancient Egypt to Oz. These books also span the reading levels from low to high. I already buy many books each year for my classroom library. However, I don't have enough money to buy all of the books my students request. I feel that getting these new books will reinvigorate our reader's workshop this year, especially because I made an effort to pick books for each individual child in the class based on each of their interests. I believe that these books will also be great for using as examples of strong writing during writer's workshop lessons. Getting this grant funded would be the best gift I could give my students this year.
Funding this project will mean a lot to my students.
It will open them up to reading new genres of books. It will introduce them to new scientific subjects and historical eras. It will immerse them in both fantastic lands and the experiences of real people. And best of all, each of these reading experiences will stay with them for a lifetime and make them more excited about reading and writing in general.
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
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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. Dobkin and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
