Mr. Stuart's Classroom Edit display name

Past projects 47

• Make World War I Real -- not "Cool" -- to My Ninth-Graders

  Funded Dec 2, 2015

  When I think about the impact of your donation of World War I books, I think about Alex. Alex is a student who came to me as a ninth grader very interested in the World Wars. Like most war aficionados, Alex's enthusiasm was real and his knowledge was great when it came to these global conflicts.

  But as students like Alex continue to devour the books you've given, I can see a transformation taking place. When they read Now It Can Be Told, a certain sobriety overtakes them -- their enthusiasm isn't curbed, but it is deepened because of the human dimensions that only books like these can give.

  Thank you for giving this rich experience to my students. You have made a difference in our lives.”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Stuart

• Building World History Buffs, Book by Book

  Funded Oct 25, 2015

  These past few weeks, I've had magical moments in the classroom thanks to you. The moments I'm describing go like this: a young man or woman walks up to me and quietly asks, "Hey, Mr. Stuart -- how do I check out that History of War book?"

  Now, to most people, there's nothing magic about such a simple question. But to people like you and me, it's amazing. What particularly excites me is that these books you've donated to my classroom, these books on battles -- they are not simple books! They are in-depth analyses of historical events and their impacts. With each battle, my student readers are invited to consider the costs of human conflict and the long-term ramifications of our choices.

  If there's anything more magical than that, I don't know what it is.

  Thank you, so much, for making magic possible in my classroom.”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Stuart

  This classroom project was brought to life by SONIC Drive-In and 4 other donors.

• World History Students + Bill Bryson = History Love

  Funded May 10, 2015

  When I showed my world history students the books that you purchased, I was hesitant to have too high of expectations -- after all, you bought us some high-quality, challenging texts that would typically only be read by adult history lovers, and my students are fourteen years old. I believe in the power of high expectations and in the oft-ignored teenage desire to do hard things, but it's always nerve-wracking to step out and act on that belief.

  My belief -- and your belief, as expressed in your donation -- was not in vain. By the end of class, numerous copies of Bill Bryon's books were out of my classroom and in the hands of teenagers, eager to go off and learn about William Shakespeare or the scientific revolution.

  Thank you, very much, for your generosity. It is changing lives here in our small town.”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Stuart

• True Choice Reading Means Access To Financial Literacy Texts

  Funded May 11, 2015

  As a child, I can remember my parents and grandparents teaching me about being wise with money. The truly life-changing moment for me, however, was when I read, as a soon to graduate high-schooler, a small book about budgeting. There is something powerful about reading a book on financial literacy by choice.

  Now, thanks to your generosity, I have the power to provide that experience with kids who are interested in learning about finances. Whether they want information on business-building, budgeting, investing, or money common sense, my classroom library contains it.

  This is the kind of investment that pays off long-term, one book at a time, one child at a time. Thank you so, so much for this great kindness.”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Stuart

  This classroom project was brought to life by Experian and 2 other donors.

• Creating World History Buffs, Book By Book

  Funded Apr 14, 2015

  I wish you could see my world history students' faces when they realize that their world history teacher has a library of great, high quality books on topics they're interested in. Thanks to you, Bill Bryson's gift for bringing any topic to life is now a part of my classroom experience.

  My small-town students now get to experience the scientific revolution and the rise of Shakespeare through Bryson's prose -- which is simultaneously smart and approachable. Bryson is now my co-teacher, thanks in large part to you.

  I dream of a class where students learn that they love history BEFORE they become full-fledged adults -- you have made this possible with your kindness and generosity. Thank you so much!”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Stuart

• We Need Books from a "King" of Young Adult Lit!

  Funded Feb 27, 2015

  Just today, I had another student come to me and say, "Hey, Mr. Stuart -- you know that box of A. S. King books. I was looking through them, and I started reading one. I'm really into it. Can I borrow it?"

  The answer, of course, was, "Yes! Please do!"

  Your generosity has make an intellectual contagion possible -- A. S. King's books are hooking more and more of my students into great, gripping reading. In the 21st century, a mind that can't read will be a mind forced to struggle mightily -- you have made it more likely that my students won't ever need to experience that.

  Thank you so much for your generosity.”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Stuart

• Printz Award Winners + My Students = Book Love!

  Funded Dec 9, 2014

  When I first requested these Printz award winner books, I honestly wasn't sure how they'd be received. I knew, of course, that the books hadn't won this prestigious award without reason, but still -- many of the books I seek to add to my library are those requested by my students, and none of these Printz award winners fit that criteria.

  Let's just say that the Printz committee knows what they're doing. Of the diverse assortment of Printz winners that you donated, every one has been checked out (and loved) by anywhere from two to ten students -- and we've only had the books for about a month! I am excited to have these books in my classroom library and to see them opening new worlds for my students.

  Thank you, dear donors, for helping to make this possible. Your generosity is sown into rich fields.”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Stuart

• Because if Matt de la Pena Tells You to Read, You Read!

  Funded Dec 2, 2014

  I wish you could have seen the look on Kyle's face when I unveiled the box of Matt de la Pena books. He is the student who initially requested them, and I think something "clicked" inside of him when he saw that not just his teacher believed in his belief that these books would be well-loved and impactful, but also a handful of generous people in the world believed in him as well.

  Let's just say that Kyle -- and you all -- were right: these books have been a hot commodity for choice reading, and even with several copies of each book, it's more frequently checked out than it is on the shelf. That is a good thing!

  I foresee these books being heavily used for years to come; thank you for making that investment in my students. They are our future!”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Stuart

• Creating Lovers of World History, Book by Book

  Funded Jan 25, 2015

  You have contributed to something that I suspect will be very special, both this year and in years to come: thanks to you, my classroom now contains choice reading books not just for English students, but for world history students as well.

  I've already had students asking about those new world history books. "Wait, this book is all about Genghis Khan, Mr. Stuart? Cool!" My hope is that, through your donations, students will become more likely to not just fall in love with history, but to develop the skills to truly dominate the challenges of their lives, both now and after high school.

  Thank you for believing in my kids.”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Stuart

• Help My Students "Unwind" into Reading Fanatics!

  Funded Nov 29, 2014

  I wish you could have seen the look on Ethan's face when I unveiled the box of Unwind dystology books. He is the student who initially requested them, and I think something "clicked" inside of him when he saw that not just his teacher believed in his belief that these books would be well-loved and impactful, but also a handful of generous people in the world believed in him as well.

  Let's just say that Ethan -- and you all -- were right: the Unwind series has been a hot commodity for choice reading, and even with several copies of each book, it's more frequently checked out than it is on the shelf. That is a good thing!

  I foresee these books being heavily used for years to come; thank you for making that investment in my students. They are our future!”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Stuart