South Sumter Middle School in Webster, Florida on DonorsChoose

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Next, we do a little background research: what else has the author written, what is the audience, how many pages/chapters, and may read articles related to the story. Then, we read by alternating between students reading a couple of paragraphs and myself. As we read we fill out a novel study packet that covers vocabulary and skills that coincide with each chapter, then answer comprehension questions at the end of the chapter. When we are all done, we do a project.\r\nWe just wrapped up Treasure Island and King Arthur & the Knights of the round table. Treasure Island began with a short introduction and articles about the types of pirates (did you know there are three?), famous pirates, parrots and toucans, and treasure maps. They then worked with a partner and created their own treasure maps! For King Arthur, we read about Camelot, the legend of the sword in the stone, knights, and various armor. After reading the book, students did research on the meaning of coat of arms colors and symbols, then worked with a partner to create their own!\r\nTo assess their learning, they take an AR test and then make a one pager about the book that include characters, important scenes, important quotes, and themes. As always, we celebrate the end of the novel study with watching a movie adaptation and discussing how it stayed the same or differed and why. \r\nMy students especially loved the graphic novels, but are so excited about reading some of the new novels next year!","fullyFundedDate":1765980563740,"projectUrl":"project/accessing-the-classics/9807902/","projectTitle":"Accessing the Classics","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Majava","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3850022_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1734731179586","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/majava-specialized-ela"},{"teacherId":3850022,"projectId":9758959,"letterContent":"I recently completed the Sleepy Hollow unit with my 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. I front loaded the story with a short summary of who Ichabod Crane was and the basic legend of the Headless Horseman. We then spent a week reading the graphic novel. Students took their time and dove deep into the plot and character traits and motivations. They practiced taking notes as they read the book. We then watched a few different versions and compared and contrasted the various versions. 7th grade wrote a 3 paragraph essay about if they believed the Headless Horseman was real or just a legend. 8th grade wrote a 5 paragraph essay, citing evidence to support their claim of what happened to Ichabod Crane. 6th grade did a graphic organizer about themes, plot, characters, and questions. 6th grade then spent another week on Sleepy Hollow, where they completed the character body biographies in small groups, and gathered evidence and counterclaims to answer the question \"Is the Headless Horseman real or was it Brom Bones playing another prank on Ichabod Crane?\". We then held a philosophical chair (debate) where they presented and defended their assigned side.\r\nStudents were so engaged with this story, and loved the graphic novel aspect. I had a handful say when I showed them the original version, that they would never have read the story if it was the original version. \r\nWe are just starting Bridge to Terabithia with 6th grade for their 2nd semester novel study. I can't wait for them to read this book!\r\nThank you so much for the donation that allowed these students to access the texts!","fullyFundedDate":1758910744062,"projectUrl":"project/a-novel-idea-supporting-special-educati/9758959/","projectTitle":"A Novel Idea: Supporting Special Education Literacy","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Majava","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3850022_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1734731179586","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/majava-specialized-ela"},{"teacherId":3850022,"projectId":9835405,"letterContent":"Thank you for helping my students read an adaptation of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley that was on their level. 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About this school

South Sumter Middle School is a rural public school in Webster, Florida that is part of Sumter County School District. It serves 890 students in grades 6 - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 17.5:1. Its teachers have had 8 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Supporting this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Title 1

Grades 6 - 8

890 Students

51 Teachers

773 NW 10th Ave

Webster, FL 33597 View local requests

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Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

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

South Sumter Middle School Teachers on DonorsChoose

Mrs. Caputo

Ms. Majava

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South Sumter Middle School Demographics

95%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

29%

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.

South Sumter Middle School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated May 22, 2026

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