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This teacher needs your help!

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

See what Mr. Szymanski is requesting

Using Reading to Solve Math Problems

My students need 79 books to connect to the math curriculum.

FULLY FUNDED! Mr. Szymanski's classroom raised $841

This project is fully funded

My Students

Make the difference in 3rd grade students who really struggle in school. You can be a part of helping a struggling student have a deeper, more fulfilling experience and understanding of Math. These resources will provide countless opportunities for my students to grow and learn to love Math.

My students are struggling, low-performing students in an urban educational environment.

They are a mixture of special and low-achieving education students. Our school is located in Chicago. They are between 7 and 8 years old (3rd grade) and are often 2 years behind their peers. I often find myself teaching Math concepts and see "lost" looks in my students' eyes. These students need multiple opportunities that are different to access and retain the information. Literature, mystery, art and basic drill and skill activities are essential for their success.

My Project

My students will use the materials for this grant in a multitude of ways. The students will investigate math concepts through literature. Many of the books have direct extension actitivies designed to be done with the stories. The bridge between Literature and Math is extremely powerful. Other resources in this grant offer different approaches for learning Math. Humor, mystery and art are also some of the topics from the books. These resources will bring Math to life and make learning fun. This is a grant that will not only change the delivery and experience of Math forever.. but it will be used for years to come.

Please make the difference in my kids' lives!

They are eager to learn and the sense of accomplishment that comes across their face when a concept is mastered is amazing. Your contribution can and will change the attitude and experiences of the youth in Chicago for many, many years to come.

Mr. Szymanski Walt Disney Magnet School Grades 3-5

Celebrate Black teachers and kids! This project supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of students are Black.

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.

Chicago, IL View local requests

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

29 students impacted 25donors

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TEACHERS, FEELING INSPIRED?

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Amanda Bean's Amazing Dream: A Mathematical Story Cindy Neuschwander, Marilyn Burns, Rosanne Litzinger (Illustrator) • Barnes and Noble $11.59 1 $11.59
Anno's Mysterious Multiplying Jar Mitsumasa Anno • Barnes and Noble $7.68 1 $7.68
Arithmetricks: 50 Easy Ways to Add, Subtract, Multiply & Divide Without a Calculator Edward H. Julius, Dale M. Gladstone (Illustrator) • Barnes and Noble $12.14 1 $12.14
A Cloak for the Dreamer Aileen Friedman, Kim Howard (Illustrator) • Barnes and Noble $11.59 1 $11.59
Counting on Frank Rod Clement, Rod Clement (Illustrator) • Barnes and Noble $21.60 1 $21.60
Divide and Ride (MathStart) Stuart J. Murphy, George Ulrich (Illustrator) • Barnes and Noble $5.12 1 $5.12
Do You Wanna Bet?: Your Chance to Find Out About Probability Jean Cushman, Martha Weston (Illustrator) • Barnes and Noble $5.93 1 $5.93
Doorbell Rang Pat Hutchins, Pat Hutchins (Illustrator) • Barnes and Noble $5.97 1 $5.97
Earthquakes Franklyn M. Branley, Megan Lloyd (Illustrator) • Barnes and Noble $5.12 1 $5.12
Exploring the Night Sky: The Equinox Astronomy Guide for Beginners Terence Dickinson, John Bianchi (Illustrator) • Barnes and Noble $8.50 1 $8.50
Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions Edwin A. Abbott, Edwin Abbott Abbott (Illustrator), Banesh Hoffmann (Introduction) • Barnes and Noble $1.71 1 $1.71
Fraction Action Loreen Leedy, Loreen Leedy (Illustrator) • Barnes and Noble $5.93 1 $5.93
Funny and Fabulous Fraction Stories Dan Greenberg • Barnes and Noble $8.54 1 $8.54
G Is for Googol: A Math Alphabet Book David M. Schwartz, Marissa Moss (Illustrator) • Barnes and Noble $10.93 1 $10.93
A Grain of Rice Helena Clare Pittman, Helena Clare Pittman (Illustrator) • Barnes and Noble $4.26 1 $4.26
Grandfather Tang's Story Ann Tompert, Robert Andrew Parker (Illustrator) • Barnes and Noble $5.97 1 $5.97
Hey, New Kid! Betsy Duffey, Ellen Thompson (Artist) • Barnes and Noble $4.26 1 $4.26
How Big Is a Foot? Rolf Myller, Susan McCrath • Barnes and Noble $3.84 1 $3.84
How Big Were the Dinosaurs? Bernard Most • Barnes and Noble $5.97 1 $5.97
How Many Days to America?: A Thanksgiving Story Eve Bunting, Beth Peck (Illustrator) • Barnes and Noble $5.93 1 $5.93
How Many Snails? : A Counting Book Paul Giganti, Donald Crews, Donald Crews (Illustrator) • Barnes and Noble $13.79 1 $13.79
If You Made a Million David M. Schwartz, Steven Kellogg (Illustrator) • Barnes and Noble $5.97 1 $5.97
The King's Equal Katherine Paterson, Curtis Woodbridge (Illustrator) • Barnes and Noble $4.26 1 $4.26
Lemonade for Sale (Level 3: Bar Graphs) (MathStart) Stuart J. Murphy, Tricia Tusa (Illustrator) • Barnes and Noble $5.12 1 $5.12
Librarian Who Measured the Earth, Vol. 1 Kathryn Lasky, Kevin Hawkes, Kevin Hawkes (Illustrator) • Barnes and Noble $12.30 1 $12.30
Lily and Miss Liberty Carla Stevens, Deborah Kogan Ray (Illustrator) • Barnes and Noble $3.41 1 $3.41
Math Chef: Over 60 Math Activities and Recipes for Kids Joan D'Amico, Karen Eich Drummond • Barnes and Noble $12.14 1 $12.14
Capacity Henry Arthur Pluckrose, Contribution by Ramona G. Choos • Barnes and Noble $4.22 1 $4.22
Time Henry Arthur Pluckrose • Barnes and Noble $4.22 1 $4.22
Math Curse Jon Scieszka, Lane Smith (Illustrator), Lane Smith • Barnes and Noble $12.30 1 $12.30
Math Mysteries: Fun, Motivating Stories with Activity Pages that Teach and Reinforce Key Problem-Solving Strategies Jack Silbert • Barnes and Noble $10.88 1 $10.88
Millions of Cats Wanda Gag, Wanda Gag (Artist) • Barnes and Noble $6.83 1 $6.83
Mountains Seymour Simon • Barnes and Noble $5.97 1 $5.97
One Hundred Hungry Ants Elinor J Pinczes, Bonnie MacKain (Illustrator) • Barnes and Noble $5.93 1 $5.93
The Paperboy Dav Pilkey, Dav Pilkey (Illustrator) • Barnes and Noble $5.97 1 $5.97
A Picture Book of Jesse Owens David A. Adler, Robert Casilla (Illustrator) • Barnes and Noble $5.93 1 $5.93
Pyramid David Macaulay, David Macaulay (Illustrator) • Barnes and Noble $16.24 1 $16.24
The Quilt-Block History of Pioneer Days: With Projects Kids Can Make Mary Cobb, Jan Davey Ellis (Illustrator) • Barnes and Noble $7.64 1 $7.64
Ready Set Hop! Manufactured by Steck-Vaughn Company • Barnes and Noble $2.49 1 $2.49
Ready, Set, Hop! (MathStart) Stuart J. Murphy, Jon Buller (Illustrator) • Barnes and Noble $5.12 1 $5.12
Round Trip Ann Jonas, Ann Jonas (Illustrator) • Barnes and Noble $13.79 1 $13.79
Sir Cumference and the First Round Table Cindy Neuschwander, Cindy Newschwander, Wayne Geehan (Illustrator) • Barnes and Noble $6.79 1 $6.79
Tarantula in My Purse : And 172 Other Wild Pets Jean Craighead George, Richard Cowdrey (Illustrator), Jean Craighead George (Illustrator) • Barnes and Noble $5.12 1 $5.12
Too Many Kangaroo Things to Do! (MathStart) Stuart J. Murphy, Kevin O'malley (Illustrator) • Barnes and Noble $5.12 1 $5.12
Too Many Kangaroo Things to Do! Manufactured by Steck-Vaughn Company • Barnes and Noble $2.49 1 $2.49
The Toothpaste Millionaire Jean Merrill • Barnes and Noble $5.08 1 $5.08
What's Faster Than a Speeding Cheetah? Robert E. Wells • Barnes and Noble $5.97 1 $5.97
Where Am I?: The Story of Maps and Navigation A.G. Smith, A. G. Smith (Illustrator) • Barnes and Noble $8.50 1 $8.50
Zoo Gail Gibbons, Gail Gibbons (Illustrator) • Barnes and Noble $5.97 1 $5.97
Tarantula in My Purse : And 172 Other Wild Pets Jean Craighead George, Richard Cowdrey (Illustrator), Jean Craighead George (Illustrator) • Barnes and Noble $5.12 1 $5.12
Too Many Kangaroo Things to Do! (MathStart) Stuart J. Murphy, Kevin O'malley (Illustrator) • Barnes and Noble $5.12 1 $5.12
Too Many Kangaroo Things to Do! Manufactured by Steck-Vaughn Company • Barnes and Noble $2.49 1 $2.49
The Toothpaste Millionaire Jean Merrill • Barnes and Noble $5.08 1 $5.08
What's Faster Than a Speeding Cheetah? Robert E. Wells • Barnes and Noble $5.97 1 $5.97
Where Am I?: The Story of Maps and Navigation A.G. Smith, A. G. Smith (Illustrator) • Barnes and Noble $8.50 1 $8.50
Zoo Gail Gibbons, Gail Gibbons (Illustrator) • Barnes and Noble $5.97 1 $5.97
Sir Cumference and the Great Knight of Angleland: A Math Adventure Cindy Neuschwander, Wayne Geehan (Illustrator) • Barnes and Noble $6.79 1 $6.79
Sir Cumference and the Isle of Immeter: A Math Adventure Cindy Neuschwander, Wayne Geehan (Illustrator) • Barnes and Noble $6.79 1 $6.79
Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi Cindy Neuschwander, Cindy Neuschwander (Illustrator) • Barnes and Noble $6.79 1 $6.79
MathART Projects and Activities: Dozens of Creative Projects to Explore Math Concepts and Build Essential Skills Carolyn Ford Brunetto, Carolyn Brunetto • Barnes and Noble $10.67 1 $10.67
MathArts: Exploring Math Through Art for 3 to 6 Year Olds MaryAnn Kohl, Cindy Gainer (Illustrator), Cindy Gainer • Barnes and Noble $17.77 1 $17.77
Math and Art: An Introduction to Visual Mathematics Sasho Kalajdzievski • Barnes and Noble $57.32 1 $57.32
Gifted & Talented: Grade 3 Reading, Writing & Math (Flash Kids Gifted & Talented) Flash Kids Editors • Barnes and Noble $6.37 1 $6.37
Using Caldecotts Across the Curriculum: Reading and Writing Mini-Lessons, Math and Science Spin-Offs, Unique Art Activities, and More! (Grades K-2) Novelli • Barnes and Noble $9.22 1 $9.22
Numeracy and Literacy: Teaching K-8 Mathematics Using Children's Literature Robin A Ward • Barnes and Noble $18.81 1 $18.81
Singapore Math Practice, Level 2B School Specialty Publishing • Barnes and Noble $7.11 1 $7.11
Singapore Math 70 Must-Know Word Problems, Level 3 School Specialty Publishing • Barnes and Noble $9.25 1 $9.25
Rib-Ticklers Math: Strengthening Basic Skills with Jokes, Comics, and Riddles Darcy Andries, Julie Kirsch (Editor) • Barnes and Noble $8.88 1 $8.88
Rib-Ticklers Math: Strengthening Basic Skills with Jokes, Comics, and Riddles Darcy Andries, Barrie Hoople (Editor) • Barnes and Noble $8.88 1 $8.88
Rib-Ticklers Math: Strengthening Basic Skills with Jokes, Comics, and Riddles Darcy Andries, Barrie Hoople (Editor) • Barnes and Noble $8.88 1 $8.88
Rib-Ticklers Math: Strengthening Basic Skills with Jokes, Comics, and Riddles Darcy Andries, Julie Kirsch (Editor) • Barnes and Noble $8.88 1 $8.88
Math 4 Today: Grade 3 School Specialty Publishing, Donna Pearson, Manufactured by School Specialty Publishing • Barnes and Noble $9.96 1 $9.96
One Minute Mysteries: 65 Short Mysteries You Solve with Math! Eric Yoder, Natalie Yoder • Barnes and Noble $8.50 1 $8.50
Third-Grade Math Minutes: One Hundred Minutes to Better Basic Skills Alaska Hults, Marsha Elyn Wright (Editor), Corbin Hillam (Illustrator), Rick Grayson (Illustrator) • Barnes and Noble $12.10 1 $12.10
Level A Multiplication: Factors 0 to 5 Theresa Warnick, Manufactured by Frank Schaffer Publications • Barnes and Noble $7.11 1 $7.11
Graphing Hidden Pictures Carson-Dellosa Publishing Staff • Barnes and Noble $8.19 1 $8.19
Connect-the-Dot Math: 35 Reproducible Dot-to-Dot Activities That Help Kids Practice Multi-Digit Addition and Subtraction and Basic Multiplication and Division Facts Cindi Mitchell • Barnes and Noble $9.25 1 $9.25
Fact Mastery Multiplication and Division Deb Pressnall • Barnes and Noble $13.67 1 $13.67
Division Facts Tips & Tricks: Practice Pages and Classroom Games for Understanding and Memorizing Facts Deb Pressnall, Leland Graham, Vanessa Countryman (Illustrator) • Barnes and Noble $7.51 1 $7.51

Materials cost

$669.09

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$10.04

Fulfillment labor & materials

$35.00

Total project cost

$714.13

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$126.02

Total project goal

$840.15

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $840.15

19 Donors

-$822.00

Donations toward project cost

-$713.70

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$108.30

Excluded support for DonorsChoose

-$17.65

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

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

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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 Mr. Szymanski and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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