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This teacher needs your help!

Mrs. Benda from Richmond, CA is requesting books through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Mrs. Benda is requesting

Renew, Reuse, and Refresh

My students need replacement books for the books sets we currently have in the classroom. We use the book sets for literature circles and discussion.

FULLY FUNDED! Mrs. Benda's classroom raised $258

This project is fully funded

Celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month

Celebrate Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month

This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.

My Students

Do you love to read? Most of my students don't love reading. In fact, most have never read an entire book. My students need to be introduced to the excitement and fulfillment of reading. The only way to do that is to guide them through some of the great books for children.

The school that my students attend is a very special place.

It looks like a dilapidated mess from the outside, in an area undesirable to most. When you enter, it becomes this magical place where students are loved, encouraged, nurtured, and allowed to be children. Most come from families deeply affected by crime, drugs, and gang activity. Many are immigrants just trying to provide a better life for their children. The students are special because of their resiliency and positive attitudes. California's government doesn't see the faces behind the cuts to education. We look into those children's eyes daily and do the best we can to educate them with less! Our students don't have access to many of the resources that other schools take for granted. The students at my school deserve the same opportunities as the students who attend school in more affluent areas. I am their teacher, advocating for their well deserved and equal education!

My Project

I am requesting book replacements for the sets I currently have in my classroom. My literacy program consists of reading eight or more chapter books per year. Some of the books in my sets have become worn or lost. Books sets are important to students for many reasons. Most students in my class have never finished a chapter book in their lives, or even desired to do so. This bombardment of media has taken away their love of reading. It is so important for children to understand and appreciate good literature. I love reading, and do my best to instill the same in my students. I love to leave them on the edge of their seats, begging for me to read more. This is what true reading in about. My goal is to instill in them a love and appreciation for reading and great books. There is so much to be learned from the experiences of others. Teaching them empathy through literature is another much needed skill. It is lost in today's youth, and must be brought back to the forefront.

My project is so important because the current mandated curriculum is incredibly inadequate.

It may be adequate to achieve the necessary test scores, but is it teaching the children how to be better people? I yell NO! Children are more than a three digit number. We need to prepare kids for life, not for a test. One great way to do that is through books. I want kids to leave my classroom proficient in academic skills, but more than that. I want them to be great human beings!

Mrs. Benda Nystrom Elementary School Grades 3-5

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.

Richmond, CA 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

60 students impacted 6donors

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Expand the "Where your donation goes" section below to see exactly what Mrs. Benda is requesting.

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TEACHERS, FEELING INSPIRED?

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Number the Stars Lois Lowry • Barnes and Noble $5.97 5 $29.85
Matilda Roald Dahl, Quentin Blake (Illustrator) • Barnes and Noble $5.97 5 $29.85
Poppy Avi, Brian Floca (Illustrator) • Barnes and Noble $5.12 5 $25.60
Al Capone Does My Shirts Gennifer Choldenko • Barnes and Noble $5.97 5 $29.85
Shiloh Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, Barry Moser (Illustrator) • Barnes and Noble $5.97 5 $29.85
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing Judy Blume • Barnes and Noble $5.12 5 $25.60

Materials cost

$170.60

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $15.61

3rd party payment processing fee

$2.56

Fulfillment labor & materials

$35.00

Total project cost

$223.77

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$33.44

Total project goal

$257.21

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $257.21

5 Donors

-$257.21

Donations toward project cost

-$223.77

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$33.44

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

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

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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 Mrs. Benda and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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