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Mrs. Louis from Chicago, IL is requesting books through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

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Fully Funded

Mrs. Louis's classroom raised $1,088

Little kids are soldiers? That's not real, Mrs. Louis... (2)

My students need 45 copies of "A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier" by Ishmael Beah.

Mrs. Louis Aspira Charter High School Ramirez

Chicago, IL Grades 9-12

My low-income, mostly Hispanic ninth graders are used to classrooms with few materials. As a result, the type of independent learning and engaging in texts required for college is largely unfamiliar to them. We are a small school that is more like a community than a workplace. Sending all of our students, most of whom come from families in which they are the only high school graduates, to good colleges is our main goal!

My ninth grade students think Africa is a country. Last year, my class read "A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier," and my kids were hooked. "Is this real?!" "What can we do to help?" "Where can we get more info?" With only one class set of books, we had to read the whole book in school. There was little time left over to do more research, write about what we had read, etc. If this year's students each had a copy, they would be able to engage in and respond to the literature at home. This way, we would have MUCH more time to research the reality of child soldiers, and practice advanced writing skills that would prepare them for college.

Last year, I organized a project around "Red Hand Day," a worldwide event in February that attempts to raise awareness about the plight of child soldiers. It was a HUGE hit! My students' biggest gripe, though, was that they wished they had more time in class to have prepared their "kick-ass" presentations. What they didn't know was that we could have done so much more if we hadn't spent nearly 2 months just reading the book in class first! I would LOVE for my students this year to feel like they are not being rushed, and are learning much more than my previous students!

Your donation will help my students realize that engaging in quality literature does not just happen in school, when a teacher makes them. School is a place where we can do amazing things with what we read, and I need the chance to prove this to them with a book for every student! Thank you!

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

45 students impacted 19 donors

Project tagged as

Mrs. Louis Aspira Charter High School Ramirez Grades 9-12

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Chicago, IL View local requests 45 students impacted 19donors

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes

Materials Cost Quantity Total

A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier Ishmael Beah • Barnes and Noble $17.60 45 $792.00

Materials cost			$792.00
Vendor shipping charges			$79.20
Sales tax			$0.00
3rd party payment processing fee			$11.88
Fulfillment labor & materials			$9.00
Total project cost			$892.08
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms			$195.82
Total project goal			$1,087.90
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal			$1,087.90
16 Donors			-$541.76
Donations toward project cost			-$446.04
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms			-$95.72
match offer			-$543.95
Match offer toward project cost			-$446.04
Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms			-$97.91
Excluded support for DonorsChoose			-$2.19
Still needed View calculation Hide calculation			$0.00

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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 Mrs. Louis and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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This teacher needs your help!

Little kids are soldiers? That's not real, Mrs. Louis... (2)

Project tagged as

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

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.