I teach a diverse group of seniors at a small city school in the New York State. We face many challenges here. More than 50% of our students receive free or reduced lunches and almost 10% of our students speak a language other than English at home.
Although my students face daily obstacles, many of them are college bound.
Most of them balance work and sports with school. They work hard and deserve the best that we can offer them. I would like them to read a modern text that will prepare them for college and for life. The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to his White Mother is the book that will change these students' lives. In the book, McBride's mother tells him, "Educate yourself or you'll be a nobody!" In addition to learning the importance of education, reading this book will encourage students to reflect on the power of motherhood and on parent-child relationships.
My Project
While money is provided for some classroom supplies, there isn't money available for new books this year. I'm currently working with other 12th grade teachers to revamp the curriculum, and we would love to add new literature to the program. One of the books we want to teach is The Color of Water by James McBride. McBride tells about the challenges he faced growing up with a Black father and Jewish mother in Brooklyn's Red Hook projects.
Your help will enable my students to read literature that relates to their lives and help them realize that they can face any obstacle.
They will also learn that the power and determination of a mother can change her children's lives.
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
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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. Marquart and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
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