Mr. Trustey's Classroom Edit display name

Current requests

Past projects 6

• Books Books Books

  Funded Nov 28, 2017

  The new novels have arrived, and the students have been super excited to read them. The ongoing jokes about how "gross, old, and lame" my books are can finally come to an end. :-)

  There are books for every reading level. My ESL students have shown great interest in reading The Great Wall of China and Mummies Made in Ancient Egypt. Both books are written at an accessible reading level, and are filled with interesting photos to help their understanding.

  Other students have been excited to read The Giver and The Jungle Book. Some students have seen the movies, and it makes them feel like they're coming into the reading experience as an expert already.

  It's been fun to watch the kids debate who should get to read which books first. Thankfully there are more new books than students in the class! You've brought a lot of renewed excitement to our independent reading activities. Thank you so much. Happy New Year!”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Trustey

  This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose.org Community and 6 other donors.

• 145th Street Stories: Tales of Heartbreak and Inspiration

  Funded Feb 7, 2017

  There's nothing quite like the smell and feel of holding a new book in your hands. Most of my students seldom get to experience that simple pleasure. The books they have access to are often many years old, well traveled, and they show it. It's been a joy to unbox the books you donated, pass them around the classroom and let the kids be the first ones to ever crack the spine!

  We have 3 main methods for reading the stories in the book. I read to the class, I let volunteers read or we work our way through the room allowing every student to read one paragraph, and then onto the next student. All 3 methods have their advantages. When I read, it's always loud enough for everyone to hear me (something the shy kids struggle with). I know the best places to pause the story to ask questions, or prompt discussions. Allowing volunteers to read gets a different voice into the story, and gives those most excited to read a chance to have the spotlight for a bit. Finally, moving through the room, changing readers paragraph by paragraph ensures that everyone is alert, following along, and gives even those that may otherwise be reluctant to read the opportunity to do so.

  These books take the kids out of their comfort zone. They are asked to explore new points of view, and glimpse a culture that may be foreign to them. Violence, drugs, gangs, death... not exactly the happiest of topics, but very educational to explore some of these concepts through an entertaining, well written collection of short stories.

  I thank you for helping me bring this experience to my students.”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Trustey

• Choose Your Own Adventure!

  Funded Dec 5, 2016

  My students love the new Choose Your Own Adventure books! They really enjoyed that the books were all brand new. It's clear that for many of the students, they don't often get the privilege of being the first to open a new book. Initially, they engaged in flurry of swapping books, based on flashy covers or engaging titles. But once that commotion settled down, they began to read in earnest.

  It's here that these books really had their opportunity to shine. The students began discovering that the books had new, and different rules, for how to read them! They were swept up with the 2nd person present tense narration. And they agonized over the choices that THEY got to make for the main character. As the books took students to varying conclusions, they could be heard gloating about successes, and laughing about failures.

  It's a wonderful thing to witness a classroom full of students genuinely falling in love with, not just a book, but the act of reading itself. You helped provide that for them, and we thank you very much! :-)”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Trustey

• Classroom Dictionaries Needed to Improve Student Vocabulary

  Funded Apr 8, 2008

  Wow. First and foremost, I must say, "Thank you." I just found out a couple minutes ago that my classroom dictionaries have been funded, and I couldn't be more excited.

  This truly has been a need of mine, or more accurately, a need of my students for years now. With NYC cutting school funding, coming by decent books and supplies is only getting harder and harder. Then, a kind and generous person comes along and does something like this. It's wonderful to see others, even outside of the academic profession, caring enough for children's education that they give their own money in order to help out.

  I'm thrilled to be able to tell my students about this tomorrow morning. Again, thank you”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Trustey

• Chess Club Needs Boards and Pieces

  Funded Nov 27, 2007

  What a happy surprise. I just checked my email and DonorsChoose informed me that my request for chess sets was funded. This is great news. I've already informed my assistant principal of your generous donation, and I'm excited about telling the students as soon as possible. I plan on stressing the importance of handling these chess sets with care, such that they last for years to come.

  Please accept my sincere gratitude”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Trustey

• Catcher in the Rye

  Funded Jun 22, 2005

  Summer vacation just started three days ago, but you’ve already given me a reason to be excited about September! I truly appreciate your donation, and what’s more, my students will truly appreciate it as well. Every young adolescent should have the opportunity to read this classic novel, and that’s exactly what you’ve provided them with. Thank you so much.

  Sincerely yours,

  Mr. Kevin ”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Trustey