Past projects 3
He Named Me Malala
Funded Sep 14, 2015As soon as I saw that Malala's life was being documented, I knew this was something I would definitely be taking my students to see. However, my students' parents can't always come up with the money for a movie ticket. Receiving the email announcing the free screening made my day! I was determined to be one of the lucky recipients of your overwhelming generosity. As I worked with your people to make the trip a reality, I was told that you would be handling the buses as well. This was a huge relief. (The bus companies I usually work with are sometimes problematic.)
My students and I spent the following weeks learning about Malala. I even played them some of the audio from her book. We learned about her upbringing, her parents, siblings, and life style. Your lessons also provided a good history lesson about that area of the world.
When the day of the trip came, 3 gigantic charter buses arrived. We couldn't believe it. I knew this would be one of the highlights of the trip. We rode to the theater in style! After purchasing mass quantities of popcorn, we settled in for the film. The children were mesmerized. The footage was breathtaking. After weeks of studying, the payoff didn't let us down.
We can't thank you enough for the knowledge you have given us. My students were lucky to have this experience.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Wilde
City Living!
Funded Dec 29, 2013I assigned the book Miracle's Boys to my students to read over Spring Break. The first thing each student said to me when he/she returned was, "You were right, Ms. Wilde. I cried." I knew this book would not only move them, but hold a mirror up to their young lives. Through our subsequent discussions I learned that, unfortunately, my students had many stories that involved similar pain to the characters in the novel. They were open about violence, drugs, feeling ignored, jail, poverty and grieving for friends who were taken too young. I cannot express to you the value these conversations had on us all. I imagine, knowing that they're not alone is a huge relief for many of them.
I had my students form groups and decide on different projects to create. The projects needed to help them express their feelings about crime prevention and truancy and promote family values and peaceful city streets. Currently they are creating journals written from the perspectives of the main characters, and an original play for the younger grades.
This book has given me and my students a memorable month. The emotions that we shared and the projects we created would not have been possible without these novels that you have given us. Please know how much we appreciate your generosity. ”
With gratitude,
Ms. Wilde
Bullies Beware!
Funded Nov 1, 2011I assigned the book Give A Boy A Gun to my students to read over the February break. They came back from their vacation with tons of questions, opinions, and anecdotes to share. We spent the next week discussing bullying and the repercussions that come from doing nothing to stop it. The conversation was lively and the debate was intriguing. Once all of the themes from the book were hashed out, the students formed groups and decided on different projects to create. The projects needed to help them express their feelings about bullying as well as trying to prevent tragedies, like the one in the book, from recurring. Currently they are creating a board game, journals written from the perspective of the main characters, a play for the younger grades, and 3 dioramas depicting the beginning, middle and end of the book.
I can honestly say that these past two weeks were unforgettable for me and my students. What a necessary break from the antiquated text books we use daily. Without these novels that you have given us, none of this would have been possible.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Wilde
This classroom project was brought to life by Townsend Press and 3 other donors.