Read the Rainbow: Diversifying Our Classroom Library
Help me give my students a classroom library full of diverse characters and experience to engage in powerful conversations about our identities.
FULLY FUNDED! Ms. Rappa's classroom raised $587
This project is fully funded
My Students
My first-grade students are full of love and joy and endless possibilities. They come to school full of wonder and curiosity, ready and eager to learn each and every day. Each student is an important and unique piece to our classroom family.
We love to dive into a new book and explore new stories and characters together and independently.
When we read, we are given the change to transport ourselves into the story. However, many of the books available to my students do not represent all of their identities and identities seen in our community.
Studies have shown that students are more likely to succeed when they see themselves in the stories. As they are discovering their own unique identities, I hope these books will spark conversations and challenge their thinking. I hope you can help me bring characters and stories to my classroom to help build connection and community through diversity and acceptance of others.
My Project
Providing diverse and inclusive books for my students will color our library with different and important stories. The topics of the books on this list include race/racism, African-American history, Hispanic and Latinx history, different ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientation, self-identification, and more. Our social climate is ever changing—my students are aware of social issues that they hear from adult conversations, media, and our community. My goal is to create a classroom of openness—to explore these topics, ask questions, and discuss their ideas with peers.
“We need diverse representation not only so every kid can see themselves as the hero of the story, but so that every kid can understand that *other* kids are *also* the heroes of the story.”-Danya Ruttenberg.
The books on this list will not only help students learn about their identities, but about the identities and experiences of others. They will provide knowledge, respect, power, and confidence to my students who are able to see themselves in these books. These books will also provide diverse perspectives when teaching specific skills and concepts. Thank you for your generosity, thoughtfulness, and care in helping me achieve this goal! I can’t wait to read these books with my students!
More than a third 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
We Are the Change: Words of Inspiration from Civil Rights Leaders (Books for Kid Activists, Activism Book for Children)
• Amazon Business
$17.99
1
$17.99
I Believe I Can
• Amazon Business
$17.09
1
$17.09
A New Kind of Wild
• Amazon Business
$16.99
1
$16.99
The Magical Yet
• Amazon Business
$16.19
1
$16.19
Parker Looks Up: An Extraordinary Moment
• Amazon Business
$15.99
1
$15.99
Sulwe
• Amazon Business
$15.99
1
$15.99
You Matter
• Amazon Business
$15.89
1
$15.89
Thank You, Omu!
• Amazon Business
$14.99
1
$14.99
Tallulah the Tooth Fairy CEO
• Amazon Business
$14.79
1
$14.79
Ohana Means Family
• Amazon Business
$14.39
1
$14.39
Saturday
• Amazon Business
$14.19
1
$14.19
They She He Me: Free to Be!
• Amazon Business
$13.95
1
$13.95
It Feels Good to Be Yourself: A Book About Gender Identity
• Amazon Business
$13.79
1
$13.79
Superheroes Are Everywhere
• Amazon Business
$13.61
1
$13.61
The Gift of Ramadan
• Amazon Business
$12.69
1
$12.69
Ravi's Roar (Big Bright Feelings)
• Amazon Business
$12.39
1
$12.39
What Riley Wore
• Amazon Business
$11.99
1
$11.99
Perfectly Norman (Big Bright Feelings)
• Amazon Business
$11.99
1
$11.99
Dancing Hands: How Teresa Carreño Played the Piano for President Lincoln
• Amazon Business
$11.99
1
$11.99
The Next President: The Unexpected Beginnings and Unwritten Future of Americas Presidents (Presidents Book for Kids; History of United States Presidents When They Were Young)
• Amazon Business
$11.97
1
$11.97
Lucia the Luchadora
• Amazon Business
$11.89
1
$11.89
Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag
• Amazon Business
$11.89
1
$11.89
Listening with My Heart: A story of kindness and self-compassion
• Amazon Business
$11.66
1
$11.66
What If Everybody Said That?
• Amazon Business
$10.99
1
$10.99
Dear Primo: A Letter to My Cousin
• Amazon Business
$10.89
1
$10.89
Mary Had a Little Glam (Volume 1)
• Amazon Business
$10.68
1
$10.68
She's Got This
• Amazon Business
$10.53
1
$10.53
Another
• Amazon Business
$10.36
1
$10.36
Hair Like Mine (Kids Like Mine)
• Amazon Business
$9.86
1
$9.86
I Am Perfectly Designed
• Amazon Business
$9.49
1
$9.49
Sofia Valdez, Future Prez (The Questioneers)
• Amazon Business
$9.49
1
$9.49
Yes I Can!: A Story of Grit (Cloverleaf Books ™ ― Stories with Character)
• Amazon Business
$8.99
1
$8.99
Call Me Max (Max and Friends Book 1)
• Amazon Business
$8.95
1
$8.95
Skin Like Mine (Kids Like Mine)
• Amazon Business
$8.95
1
$8.95
Round Is a Tortilla: A Book of Shapes
• Amazon Business
$7.99
1
$7.99
Love Makes a Family
• Amazon Business
$7.49
1
$7.49
Red Is a Dragon: A Book of Colors
• Amazon Business
$6.39
1
$6.39
I Love My Hair!
• Amazon Business
$6.00
1
$6.00
Materials cost
$461.35
Vendor shipping charges
FREE
Sales tax
$0.00
3rd party payment processing fee
$6.92
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$498.27
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$87.93
Total project goal
$586.20
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$586.20
7 Donors
-$291.34
Donations toward project cost
-$250.64
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
-$40.70
match offer
-$291.33
Match offer toward project cost
-$247.63
Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
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. Rappa and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
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