Past projects 3
History Now: Utilizing (Actually) Interesting Texts to Make Connections!
Funded May 16, 2022I can't thank you enough for funding our texts to help students make contemporary connections to history. Because of these texts, students have enjoyed reading together, call me over to ask questions, and attend more on Fridays b/c they know it's "just" reading. The joke's on them, though, right, because reading literally makes you smarter!
In our GenEd U.S. history classroom, students choose one book of the four per semester to read in its entirety during class. They participate in literature circles, in which they discuss and reflect on concepts read. Luckily, each of these titles also solves the "US history is just old white men," complaint that I often get from students. They help showcase all of US history in ways I wouldn't be able to get across in 55 minute classes.
Thank you so much for helping my students utilize interesting texts to make connections!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. DiVincenzo
This classroom project was brought to life by Dollar General Literacy Foundation and 10 other donors.Teachers Deescalating Disruptive Behavior
Funded Aug 9, 2019It is with much gratitude that I write this thank you. Because of your generous donation, I am training teachers in downtown Los Angeles how to best serve and deal with disruptive behaviors. We are using the Defusing Disruptive Behaviors text in order to analyze and lower disruptive behaviors in the classroom so that students can learn.
The best thing about this book is that each chapter deals with a specific kind of disruption, such as off task students, disrespectful behavior, rule infractions, noncompliance, or agitation. After the readings that define the disruptive behavior, we use our school's very own Office Discipline Referrals to act out situations that actually occurred in our school. Then we discussed negative ways behaviors are dealt with, and positive ways to deal with certain behaviors based on what we read.
This professional development is paramount for new and seasoned teachers alike, so that our students have an environment that is non-confrontational and where learning can occur. Our teachers are learning not to engage in power struggles, and how to properly deal with problem behaviors while maintaining the flow of instruction. Because of you, under-served students have better environments in which to learn.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. DiVincenzo
Traveling Through Our Imaginations
Funded Feb 14, 2019Thank you for your generous gift! The Giver taught our students about the genre dystopia. From The Giver the students told me they learned that differences are important, and that we all need love. In addition, they're learning that memories are important, but sometimes can't be trusted. Throughout their learning journey with this book, students participated in their first session of philosophical chairs, where they shared their opinions civilly and constructively. We will be incorporating these civil conversations in all of our 8th grade classes now.
The Diary of a Young Girl is a coming of age story, that, even though is set in a totally different era and situation, our students really connect to. All of our 8th graders are really interested in World War II, so they're excited to be reading it. It is an autobiography that grabs the students and makes them want to keep reading (even, no especially, our "problem," kids are way into it). Students grapple with the themes of inner conflict, family, and love.
Chains is the story of a slave in the colonies during the revolutionary era. This book is part of a cross-curricular project with history, where students are researching the contemporary issue of modern-day slavery. It helps them understand the cruel practice, and gives them a better picture of what life was like in the Americas during the colonial era. Students read individually and as a group, and are discussing themes like courage and hypocrisy.
Truly, you have no idea how grateful we are. These class sets have opened up literal worlds for our underserved students. Thank you.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. DiVincenzo