Past projects 48
Let's Get Graphic with Gatsby!
Funded Nov 29, 2022Before we retired for our winter break, my students embarked on a journey to write a literary analysis on The Great Gatsby. My unit on the literary analysis involved reading excerpts from the original novel, viewing parts of the two film versions, and finally, reading the Graphic Novel. The latter part is all thanks to you!
Without your generous donations to my project, my students would not have had the well-rounded experience of seeing Fitzgerald's masterpiece through multiples lenses.
I'm proud to say that the final essays, as well as the Podcasts they were assigned to create discussing the novel and the literary analysis came out beautifully. Some of the best writing I've seen all semester is because of your help!
With all my heart, I thank you! I hope you have a wonderful start to 2023!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Stefanelli
This classroom project was brought to life by an Anonymous Classroom Supporter and 4 other donors.SSS Want New, Relevant Books!
Funded Nov 29, 2022It's way too early to be writing to you about the "impact" of this project, for the books just arrived. But what I want to share with you, I believe, is more impactful.
I showed SSS (three of my best students) the books today. THEIR project was funded and delivered. They got to sort through the books. THEY got to label them. They got to scan them into the computer.
It is THEIR project and their books that they will now work to share with their peers.
They were so grateful and so excited to be part of this! Again, I can't thank you enough for helping with this project!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Stefanelli
This classroom project was brought to life by an Anonymous Classroom Supporter and 13 other donors.A Strong Start in Room 265!
Funded Sep 3, 2022As I'm sure you've heard if you have teacher friends on social media, ever scroll through TikTok, or simply eavesdrop in the waiting room at a doctor, you know that this year has been a tough one for teachers. But you know what? It's tough for students, too. Often we think it's us vs. them. It's not. Students and teachers need to work together in order to make a classroom function. I live by this (though, yes, I acknowledge this year is hard).
I want to thank you for making this year a little easier by donating to this project. Students were thrilled to see that my classroom was a welcoming place where they can spoil themselves with a piece of candy, have their cell phone charged (this also helps keep it out of their hands for a few minutes), or not worry when they forget their required earbuds.
During this holiday season, know that I truly thank you for being so generous!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Stefanelli
Looking Ahead: Preparing for 2022/2023
Funded May 8, 2022It's with such gratitude that I write to you now. After about a month of school, my students and I are getting to know each other. It's hard to imagine that it's already fall, the cold air is creeping through, and before we know it, it will be October.
Thanks to your generosity, my students were welcomed into room 265 with so many things that made them feel part of the class, not just a student in a chair. Students now have candy for motivation, a charging station for their phones (which helps to keep them out of their hands during class), and pens to write with!
I am so grateful that you care enough about me and my students to donate such sums of money. We all know that times are tough, but we can't give up on helping kids socially and emotionally.
Thank you for all you do!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Stefanelli
This classroom project was brought to life by Dollar General Literacy Foundation and 9 other donors.A Big Score: YA Books about Sports!
Funded Apr 1, 2022It's overwhelming how much of a hit this project turned out to be! So many of the titles keep flying off the shelves. Like organized sports, books about athletics teach students the importance of teamwork, trusting others, and how one person can make a difference to so many.
The books you have given to my students have provided them with lessons that go beyond the walls of room 265.
I'm happy to say that books about sports have become so popular over the last few years, that our school is now providing a course called "Sports and Literature." It's available to juniors and seniors AND taking the course fulfills a requirement for graduation, which is such wonderful progression away from the traditional 4 ELA courses offered in most high schools.
Thank you for helping to spark an interest in reading!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Stefanelli
Magazines in Room 265!
Funded Jan 24, 2022As is so often the case in the classroom, my original plan did not happen. After many a delay with magazine subscriptions, we only received one issue of one magazine. However, the assistance I received from Donors Choose was exceptional! Thanks to them, I was able to put your generous donations to good use and purchase a number of the 2021/2022 YA best-sellers on my book shelves. Already, students are beginning to argue about who gets to read what first! It's lovely to watch them argue over it (even though I eventually have to say "settle down").
As always, I am blessed to know so many amazing people who value what happens in the classroom. Today is the start of Teacher Appreciation Week and I feel so very appreciated!
As always, I wish you many blessings! THank you for your help!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Stefanelli
Books & Candy in Our Room
Funded Feb 6, 2022I so truly appreciate the time you took to read about this project and the generosity you had to donate. As a teacher, I strive to provide my students with a place that challenges them, while simultaneously making them feel comfortable and welcome. It's not an easy balancing act, but it's possible with help from others.
As I type this, my students are walking around the room, looking at different books, and making STRONG suggestions to each other about what they "should read next!"
There is no better site in the world that teens discussing literature. And thanks to you, as they choose a book, they also get a piece of candy :)
Thank you again! May you all find blessings in your life, as you are all blessings in mine and the lives of my students.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Stefanelli
They've Asked For It!
Funded Dec 3, 2021I wanted to take a moment and let you know that your donation has gone to a wonderful group of students. This project was special to me because I allowed the students to create this project. Their faces lit up when they saw boxes from Amazon that contained books they wanted and specifically asked for.
This month, students are going to be using their Choice Reading books to analyze arguments in fiction. Why are authors writing these stories? What are the arguments they are making about the world and how are the character embodying these arguments? Are they successful?
Thank you for helping me give the kids these opporuntites.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Stefanelli
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 6 other donors.A Twist Tale - A Different Disney Lens
Funded Dec 14, 2021Who would have thought revisiting childhood stories would be so enjoyable for freshmen in high school? The Disney "Twisted Tales" are flying off the shelves. I, myself, had to WAIT to read the "Beauty and the Beast" novel. I must admit, I was riveted. I get why they like these books so much!
My Students are so grateful to each and every donor who decided to help them get these popular books, which now have their own shelf in our classroom library (when they are on the shelf).
Once again, I am indebted to so many wonderful people: friends, family, and strangers who simply want to help give students the opportunity to have more choice in their reading! Thank you all!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Stefanelli
Radium Girls: Bringing Literature and Theater Together
Funded Oct 3, 2021I am ever so grateful to my donors for this particular project. I co-advise a chapter of ProjectLit at our school. We chose the book Radium Girls because our Drama Club is performing the play in February 2022. We figured, what a great way to bring these two groups together!
We are so excited to say the kids have started the book and are enjoying it immensely. In January, we will be inviting the director of the Drama Club and some of the actors into our book discussion. We are so looking forward to this collaboration of extra curricular activities!
Without you, none of this would be possible!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Stefanelli