F.W. Buchholz High School in Gainesville, Florida on DonorsChoose

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We regularly used \"think-aloud\" strategies where I would show my thinking and help students learn to annotate as I pointed out important details and highlighted various literary techniques. I used guided questioning to build student confidence in becoming more independent critical readers and, over time, students were able to lead the \"think alouds\" and improve their ability to analyze a text. This helped them understand how the author crafts a story to engage readers and make us think about moral and personal questions. Using these strategies, students were able to explain how these literary techniques helped them better understand the characters' experiences and the importance of these historical events. \r\nWe also used Socratic circle discussions that encouraged respectful listening, teamwork, and personal reflection. These circles helped create a classroom environment where every student felt comfortable sharing ideas and asking questions. Preparing for the activity gave students time to work with and think about the text deeply and independently before sharing ideas with the classmates. Students loved the autonomy the activity provided and said it really helped them feel like their voice mattered.\r\nAnother one of the activities the students really enjoyed was \"hexagonal thinking.\" In this mind-map style activity, they worked in small groups to arrange hexagon-shaped cards featuring different events, characters, and symbols from the novel. Their job was to connect these cards in ways that they felt showed how various literary and narrative elements developed themes throughout the story. This hands-on activity pushed them to think beyond just what happened in a linear sense and to see how meaning is built from many pieces working together. The activity is also a great supplement to developing competencies required by state standards that focus on theme analysis and literary devices. Many students said this activity helped them visualize connections and really see and appreciate how a writer develops ideas over time and by using different elements. \r\nReading The Tattooist of Auschwitz also gave students a chance to understand history in a more personal way. The story is told from the point of view of a Holocaust survivor, and many students said that hearing this personal voice and perspective made the events feel much more real than just a textbook overview of the historical events. It helped them understand the true horrors people went through and how friendship, hope, and love stayed alive even in the darkest times. \r\nBecause of your generous donation, students in my class not only sharpened their literary analysis skills but also grew in empathy and understanding of the human side of history. Your donation made a real difference in their learning experience and inspired them to think deeply about courage and compassion. We are truly grateful for your help in bringing this important story to our classroom.\r\nFrom all of us, thank you again for believing in this mission and for making this meaningful experience possible.","fullyFundedDate":1746546641399,"projectUrl":"project/survivors-stories/9296449/","projectTitle":"Survivors' Stories","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lomonte","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9080114_orig.jpg?crop=2153,2153,x0,y28&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1687304830432","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9080114"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_44672","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":2416,"numTeachers":87,"percentFrplEligible":56,"percentAsian":8,"percentBlack":23,"percentWhite":45,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":14,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"9 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"27.8:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":82.6,"schoolId":44672,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about F.W. 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About this school

F.W. Buchholz High School is a suburban public school in Gainesville, Florida that is part of Alachua County School District. It serves 2,416 students in grades 9 - 12 with a student/teacher ratio of 27.8:1. Its teachers have had 9 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Grades 9 - 12

2,416 Students

87 Teachers

5510 NW 27th Ave

Gainesville, FL 32606 View local requests

http://www.sbac.edu/buchholz

Evidence-based impact

Inspire teachers to stay in the classroom and boost student achievement.¹

Give to this school

Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

Kindergarten teacher at PS81 - Robert J. Christen School in Bronx, NY

F.W. Buchholz High School Teachers on DonorsChoose

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F.W. Buchholz High School Demographics

56%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

45%

of students are Black, Latino, Native American, or Asian

Schools in districts that mainly serve students of color receive substantially less state and local support than similar districts that serve primarily White students. Learn more about this gap, why it exists, and how you can help close it.

F.W. Buchholz High School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Dec 5, 2025

DonorsChoose makes it easy for anyone to help a teacher in need, moving us closer to a nation where students in every community have the tools and experiences they need for a great education.