Past projects 4
"That'll Do!" Dismantling Racism and Our Caste System.
Funded Feb 4, 2022Even before the formal founding of the country, Americans have had an inability to accept and understand one another. Generational conditioning and manufactured social constructs have led to backward thinking and it continues today. Accepting this premise is the first step toward change. The second step is intentional communication and learning the specific action one can take in abolishing such a system. That's why this book, "Babe, the Gallant Pig" is so important. The simple story gives access to students at any reading level, to see how old stereotypes can be the source of division and that if we just make minor adjustments, get to really know one another through kindness and consideration, then real change can happen. It can empower all students to take action in their own lives and in their communities.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Folger
Culturally Responsive Reading
Funded Jul 31, 2018Just like providing access to graphic novels can be the entryway through which reluctant readers discover a new and amazing world before them, so can books with lasting social, racial, environmental and political impacts be the catalysts for deepened perspective and understanding of the world around them. Moreover, classroom sets of these books means students can take them home and read, especially important for developing readers. At-home reading also means an opportunity to bond with family and models to the student what his or her family values. Seeing themselves in books is crucial to student response. Equally important is the exposure the books bring students to real-world issues. This exposure can lead to understanding, and understanding can lead to action. So thank you. Your contribution has added to the steps needed to make the world a better place.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Folger
This classroom project was brought to life by The Home Shows Coalition and 7 other donors.Graphic Novels That Get Kids Thinking!
Funded Jan 26, 2018Your generous contributions have given access to books that students can relate to. All too often, graphic novels are dismissed as not serious reading material. But this position is short-sighted at best. One has to ask, "What is the purpose here? To force students to read something they don't want read and thereby harm if not destroy their relationship with the act of reading? Or is the purpose to engender a love of reading and to have students come to understand that reading is not a chore but a great opportunity and privilege, an act that has been shown to develop understanding of and empathy for the world around them. For many of our students in low socio-economic situations, reading opportunities are few. And so to provide access to books, and then provide the opportunity to develop a relationship with books, can be the difference between a life of limitations or one with endless possibilities.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Folger
This classroom project was brought to life by The First Million Fund and 9 other donors.Chromebooks for Students in Need
Funded Jan 30, 2017Your generous contributions have given access to technology that students would not otherwise have had. Our school was not "one-to-one" and so it became a "robbing Peter to pay Paul" scenario every time teachers needed to use Chromebooks for research, drafting, making films and for the twice annual student-led conferences. But because of the added Chromebooks, it made it much more easier for students to do all of these things and get instant teacher feedback which, data shows, has an immeasurable impact on student learning and understanding. Pictured are students in the midst of a mock-trial for which they used the Chromebooks to research landmark First Amendment cases and film the actual trial. They also used the Chromebooks to research and draft proposals for their Save-the-World projects. They were assigned Chromebooks to help them learn about the causes of an issue close to their hearts. They then used the Chromebooks to create flyers (pictured) and email organizations and even crowd fund to help bring more awareness to these problems. Guiding them through the Save-the-World project was life-changing for many of the students and certainly for me.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Folger
This classroom project was brought to life by Google.org and 3 other donors.