Past projects 9
Out of Darkness
Funded Nov 15, 2022My students have used the generously donated copies of the novel Out of Darkness to probe questions of censorship; in particular, we've been asking what it is about this novel which has led it to be banned and challenged so often. The question has been both challenging and gripping. It has provided my students an excellent opportunity for critical thinking, grounded in a real life situation.
Of course critical thinking is a highly valuable activity in the classroom, but the other paramount aspect of this novel is the love and tenderness observable in the central characters. The protagonist Naomi is thoughtful, selfless, and wise beyond her years. My students take an immediate liking to her. Her love interest, Wash, is portrayed as industrious and caring. He is too good for this world, and readers get the nagging feeling that the world knows it.
Last but not least, the historical setting of the novel has even compelled a few of my students to research the setting of New London, Texas, in the 1930's. The value of the novel is therefore limitless.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Furlong
Afterparties: Andrew Veasno So
Funded Aug 4, 2022Today we read the first story in Veasna So's collection Afterparties. My students learned about the Khmer Rouge and the tragic genocide which resulted in many Cambodians fleeing to the United States. This was a part of history that many of my students did not know.
During the reading, students had lots of questions about what it would be like to have escaped a genocide and then to live in a country as decadent as America. They laughed at some of the characters' lines and were intrigued by the setting details.
When I shared with my students that regular, everyday human beings had contributed their hard-earned money toward the purchase of these books, they were touched and thankful. Thank you for helping to open their eyes and spreading the good news that people can be generous and caring. I am ever grateful for your donation!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Furlong
This classroom project was brought to life by The Tullman Family and 5 other donors.Gender Queer
Funded Jul 18, 2022I distributed the copies of Gender Queer to my 12th grade students last week. They were really excited to be able to have their own copy of the book. The books are colorful, the pictures are beautiful, and the story is real. One of my students came to me after school that same day, reported that he had finished the book, and asked: "What's next? I need more!"
Student are having conversations about gender stereotypes and binary thinking. They are talking to each other about social norms and societal expectations. And they are determining if the claims by Republican lawmakers that this memoir is "pornographic" and "obscene" hold any merit. For now, they have determined that the claims are baseless, but most students have not finished reading.
Many students have commented on how cool it is to be able to discuss issues of sexuality and identity in school. I know that I am doing a lot of listening, and am thankful to have access to this wonderful text.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Furlong
Compelling Books for High School Seniors
Funded Sep 24, 2021Thank you so much for your contribution to my classroom set of the novel City of Thieves. It is a perfect novel for teaching characterization and symbolism. My students find it easy to relate to the protagonist, Lev, who is constantly admiring of his friend, Koyla. Koyla is an incredibly honest, courageous, and optimistic character. He is the man we all want to be.
The novel also offers symbolism in the form of an egg hunt. Koyla and Lev are tasked with finding eggs in the scarcity of war-torn Russia. The eggs become a symbol of life and birth, as Koyla invests a sense of life and rebirth in Lev.
In my classroom, we read novels aloud together with individual students adopting certain parts and reading their dialogue. It becomes like a mini-reader's theatre, and we develop the story together through that shared experience. This book lends much laughter and intrigue to the class discussion.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Furlong
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 2 other donors.American Street
Funded Jul 30, 2021The book American Street has been appealing and engaging for my high school students for multiple reasons. The first is its relevance. The novel opens with 17-year-old Fabiola Toussaint coming to the U.S. from Haiti with her mother. Fabiola's Manman is detained in New York while Fabiola, an American citizen by birth, is allowed to pass. Fabiola is bereft without her mother and can think of nothing other than getting back with her. Students can relate to this situation both from experience and observation. They know that this type of tragedy has happened, and continues to happen, in the States, and the relevance is not lost on them.
The book's dialogue is also relatable and engaging, which is significant because we read the novels together in a communal reading style. Each student reads the part of a certain character, and attempts to embody the way that character speaks. Just today, students were laughing and relating as one of the central characters, Pri, voiced: "Are you serious right now? I'm not trying to look like nobody but Pri. Feel me?" (Zoboi, 39).
Students are interested to see what will happen next with Fabiola, Pri, and the other characters. The novel also provides a nice window into Haiti. As extension activities, we are learning about that country, its culture, and its people.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Furlong
This classroom project was brought to life by Emerson Collective and 18 other donors.When is Graffiti Art? Inquiry Via Modern Art and Incident
Funded Dec 3, 2019We are reading the play This Is Modern Art together as a class and discussing the issues of power in the art world. This is an apt topic because we just completed a unit about power in the publishing industry and explored the question of who gets to write what. This has led nicely into questions like "Whose work gets to be featured in the Art Institute" v. "Whose work is quickly erased from its canvas?"
My students like the play, and they like the questions it inspires even more. They find the subject of graffiti as art to be fascinating, and they have lots of opinions about which works of graffiti are considered artful and which less so.
One of my students, Antonio, saw the play performed when it was at the Steppenwolf. He talked about the set design and the cool use of spray paint. Another student, Omar, keeps making references to Bansky's self-destructing art. These are valuable connections and it's all thank to your generous contributions.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Furlong
This classroom project was brought to life by An anonymous classroom supporter and 14 other donors.A New and Necessary Novel: Colson Whitehead in the Classroom
Funded Aug 11, 2019Thank you for helping to ensure that all of my students have access to Colson Whitehead's new novel The Nickel Boys. It is such an important book, and one that teaches us about the injustice of America's past. It allows a strong and important African-American voice to speak to high school students. Although the book can be painful to read, it resonates with my 9th graders. Your gift will carry itself forward with each student who experiences it.
I know there are many causes to which you can offer your hard-earned dollars, and I am touched that you chose my classroom to do so.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Furlong
High School Reading: The Gateway to Lifelong Learning
Funded Jan 1, 2014The students in my classroom were excited to open the box of books you sent to us. It was fun to see their faces as they pulled out all the new and interesting titles. A few of them had a hard time believing that regular people were willing to contribute money so that they could have access to a wider variety of books. They really appreciate your donation, as do I.
Once a week, we devote a class period to reading for pleasure. I've witnessed quite a few students "discover" the joy of reading during this time. They say things like: "I never knew that reading could be so interesting," or "The story in this book helps me understand myself better." Pretty cool, don't you think? Thanks for helping make this possible!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Furlong
Books for Reluctant High School Readers
Funded Jan 4, 2014My students were really excited to open the box of books we received from your donation. They were surprised that people wanted to make sure they had good titles to choose from and immediately started reading the new books. Thank you so much.
Once a week, we read quietly all class long. It's a favorite day for many of my students. They have a safe place where they can concentrate and access to some nice graphic novels and highly engaging young adult literature. Some students discover the joy of reading for the first time in their lives during this one hour a week. Thanks for helping to make that possible.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Furlong