Past projects 17
Stories of the Past, Voices: Historical Fiction Novels
Funded Feb 7, 2025Your support has opened a gateway to the past for my students through the powerful lens of historical fiction! Thanks to you, our classroom is filled with stories that not only engage my students but also help them connect with history in meaningful and thought provoking ways.
These books will be instrumental in teaching critical reading skills like analyzing historical context, understanding perspectives, and making connections between the past and the present. Through rich discussions, the students will grapple with themes of resilience, justice, and identity while exploring how historical events shaped the characters' lives. The historical fiction book clubs have also provided a platform for collaborative learning, as students debate moral dilemmas, explore differing viewpoints, and share their personal insights.
Thanks to your generosity, my students are not just reading; they are stepping into the shoes of people from the past, building empathy, and developing a richer understanding of history and its relevance today. Thank you for making this incredible learning experience possible.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Christina Krasic
Unlocking the Mystery: Inspiring 8th Graders Through Engaging Book Clubs!
Funded Feb 7, 2025Thanks to your generosity, our classroom has been transformed into a space where curiosity and critical thinking thrive! The mystery novels you helped provide have sparked a wave of enthusiasm and engagement among my students. For many of them, this is their first chance to dive into the intrigue and suspense of a mystery novel, and the experience has been nothing short of transformative!
Through these engaging texts, my students are learning to uncover clues, analyze characters' motives, and identify themes—all essential skills for critical reading and thinking. We've had rich discussions about plot twists, red herrings, and foreshadowing, and students are applying these concepts in their own writing by crafting mini mystery stories. These books have allowed us to focus on collaboration as well; students work together in book clubs to discuss theories, debate character choices, and make predictions, which has deepened their comprehension and strengthened their communication skills. They have also had them exploring the concept or windows and mirrors!
Thanks to you, my students are not just reading—they're discovering the joy of literature, building confidence, and developing skills they'll carry with them beyond the classroom. On behalf of my students and myself, thank you for "unlocking the mystery" and making such a meaningful difference.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Christina Krasic
Bringing the World to Our Classroom with Scholastic Upfront Magazines
Funded Dec 3, 2024Thanks to your generous support, my 8th-grade students now have access to Upfront magazine, bringing engaging, real-world current events into our classroom. These magazines have transformed our discussions, helping students connect historical themes to today's issues while strengthening their reading, critical thinking, and debate skills.
When the first set of magazines arrived, my students were immediately drawn to the bold headlines and relevant topics. Many flipped through the pages, pointing out stories that caught their attention. One student excitedly said, "This is so much better than reading a textbook!" We kicked off our learning by analyzing an article on global conflicts, using it to practice evaluating multiple perspectives. Students engaged in small-group discussions, using textual evidence to support their viewpoints—an essential skill in our civics and ELA studies.
Looking ahead, we will continue using Upfront to support our argumentative writing unit, where students will select a current issue, research multiple sides, and craft persuasive essays. Your donation has given them the tools to stay informed, think critically, and engage in meaningful discussions about the world. Thank you for making this possible!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Christina Krasic
This classroom project was brought to life by Performance Wealth and 5 other donors.Unlock the Mystery: Empowering Students with Engaging Mystery Novels
Funded Aug 3, 2024I am incredibly grateful for your generosity in providing mystery books for our book clubs. These new texts have truly transformed our classroom environment and introduced my students to a new world of reading and critical thinking.
The mystery genre has been an excellent tool for teaching important reading skills like inference, analyzing plot structure, and understanding character development. Students are honing their ability to detect clues, make predictions, and synthesize details to understand how a story unfolds. This genre naturally engages them in problem-solving, which strengthens their analytical skills, all while building a genuine love for reading.
In our classroom, reading looks dynamic and exciting. Students gather in groups, discussing theories about suspects and plot twists, eagerly flipping through pages to see if their predictions are correct. The books have sparked lively debates and deep discussions, especially when piecing together clues and figuring out character motivations.
One student in particular, who had previously struggled to find reading enjoyable, has become one of the most engaged members of our book clubs. He now looks forward to reading every day and can't wait to share his insights with his peers. Seeing the joy on his face as he pieces together the mystery is a testament to the power of these books.
These books are doing more than teaching reading—they are inspiring curiosity, fostering collaboration, and making students feel empowered through literacy. Thank you for making that possible.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Christina Krasic
Past Perspectives: Bringing History to Life
Funded Jun 8, 2024I am ecited to see the impact that your generous contributions will have on our students through the addition of new history perspective books and resources in our classroom.
By exploring history from multiple perspectives, students will have opportunities to analyze events from different viewpoints, understand the complexities of historical events, and recognize the importance of context. They are not just reading about history; they are engaging with it, questioning sources, and considering the reliability of different narratives. This encourages them to think more deeply and critically about the past, preparing them to be thoughtful, informed citizens.
In our classroom, reading has become an interactive experience. Students don't just passively absorb information; they actively discuss, debate, and reflect on what they read. This approach to reading will make history more relatable and exciting for them, as they see how different perspectives can shape our understanding of the past.
Your support will make a real difference in our classroom, transforming the way our students learn and think about history. We are deeply grateful for your continued commitment to our educational mission.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Christina Krasic
Books and Culture
Funded Aug 15, 2023I wanted to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude for your incredibly generous contribution towards purchasing books for our student classroom.
Your support means the world to us and has an immeasurable impact on our students. With the books you've provided, our classroom has been enriched, offering our students a broader world of knowledge, imagination, and discovery.
Your kindness has opened new avenues of learning and exploration for these young minds. Your generosity goes beyond words; it's a gift that will inspire and empower our students for years to come.
Please know that your thoughtful donation is sincerely appreciated, and it's making a significant difference in our classroom. We are incredibly grateful for your support and belief in our students' education.
Thank you once again for your kindness and for investing in the future of these bright, eager learners.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Christina Krasic
This classroom project was brought to life by The SONIC Foundation and one other donor.Reading Between the Lines: Empowering Minds through Book Clubs
Funded Aug 15, 2023Thank you very much for your support and generous donation to our classroom. The students are excited to dive into the books we were able to receive! We are constantly engaging in book club discussions and actively reading with one another. Having the opportunity to provide students with a variety of novels to choose from based on diversity and inclusivity is amazing. The novels feature characters and stories from various cultural backgrounds and perspectives. This will help promote empathy and a deeper understanding of the world beyond their own experiences. F
Once again, thank you for allowing the students access to these great novels that will encourage critical thinking and discussion, as students are encouraged to express their opinions and engage in meaningful debates about the themes and issues raised in the books.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Christina Krasic
This classroom project was brought to life by The SONIC Foundation and one other donor.Instructional and Professional Development Resources
Funded May 9, 2023I am incredibly grateful for your generous book donations to my class, as they have undeniably elevated my teaching and left a lasting impact on my students. The new resources have provided me with a wealth of opportunities to enhance my teaching methods and engage my students in more dynamic and interactive ways. Incorporating these books into my curriculum has allowed me to craft diverse and thought-provoking lessons that cater to different learning styles, ultimately enriching the educational experience for each student.
One particular classroom moment that stands out as a result of this project was when we delved into a novel from your donations that resonated deeply with one of my quieter students. Witnessing their newfound enthusiasm for reading and their willingness to express their thoughts during class discussions was truly heartwarming!
Your support has provided my students with the opportunity to explore a wider range of subjects and ideas, inspiring curiosity and critical thinking. As we move forward, I am excited to further develop my skills in utilizing these resources effectively, tailoring lessons to individual student interests, and fostering a lifelong love for learning. Once again, thank you for your invaluable contribution to our classroom; Your generosity continues to make a significant difference in shaping the futures of these bright minds.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Christina Krasic
This classroom project was brought to life by SONIC Foundation and one other donor.Books as Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors
Funded May 5, 2022Thank you so much for brining these amazing novel titles to my students' hands. In our classroom, differentiated instruction takes into account students' background knowledge, language proficiency, learning modalities, and interests. Culturally responsive pedagogy can bridge the gap between students' background knowledge and academic knowledge to affirm student experiences while engaging in content.
The classroom and learning, along with these new novel titles, reflect the cultures of the students and it requires a commitment and a partnership of learning alongside the students. Using a students' culture as a baseline for learning can help students identify and honor their own cultural beliefs while learning.
The students and I thank you for your generous donation!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Christina Krasic
This classroom project was brought to life by Dollar General Literacy Foundation and one other donor.Becoming Powerful Civic Actors
Funded Feb 27, 2022Thank you so much for your wonderful donation. The students have been loving using the Upfront Magazine to build their literacy and critical thinking skills. The articles within helped them keep up with current events and we have held some very insightful discussions as a result.
Reading in my classroom happens every single day. We have a block schedule where I teach the students ELA and Social Studies and I am able to easily integrate social studies and ELA seamlessly. Having magazines has helped students who prefer to read nonfiction tremendously.
Everyone has enjoyed and benefitted from having access to the highly engaging articles that Upfront provides and I am very thankful for bringing this resource to my students. Part of being a powerful civic actor is knowing what is happening in the world.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Christina Krasic