Books As Gifts

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Thank you so much for your generous donations to our classroom. The books have been a blessing for our class. With the new books, the students are able to have multiple choices daily. This has been a tremendous help with students being at different levels in our classroom. Each student was able to have a book at their level. With the various books, each child is able to work their way through each level without having to worry about books being too hard or not right for them. They are able to sit and enjoy their reading time.”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Bigford

I want to give you my gratitude for your amazing donation for the leveled books. Your books have helped my students in their literacy skills. The leveled books has allowed us to have a book that is at the correct level for each students no matter their abilities. These books are great because they focus on the skill the student is currently trying to master. It is amazing to see my students reading and eager to sit with the new books in our classroom. They especially enjoy reading with a partner. Thank you for your amazing gift!”

With gratitude,

Ms. Escano

Donors you will never know how much you have impacted my classes! They are completely engaged in reading. Students love the selection and cannot wait for the next in the series books. Literacy at this Title 1 school has improved so much since having a classroom library.

We have used books for theme recognition, reading strategies and the entertainment of reading. Some books are used for group projects and some have even been used for individual projects of extra credit.

Reading has become a new adventure for some students. They have learned it can take them places they have never been and about people they never knew existed. We have learned to have fun with the Bones series and cry with Between Shades of Gray.

Thank you seems such a small token compared to what you have given these students.”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Thornburg

Thank you so much for your generosity! With your donations my students have been able to hold and read the books I use when teaching different reading strategies. Before, many of the books I needed were either not available, or there was only one copy in our library. Now, we have these books available in our classroom all the time! After we read each book as a class the students can hardly wait to put them in their book baskets for independent reading! You have truly made a difference in the education of these children.”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Beaver

Thank you!!! Your donation came just in the nick of time. The books are used in a variety of ways. Most of the time they remain in the classroom library, this gives the students more options when it comes to choosing a book. Some of the books teach about managing feelings, and these books are a part of the "Calm Down Station" that will be created. We also used the biographies for research for one of our I.B. projects. Lastly, some of the books are great for special "FUN DAYS" throughout the year, where we use one book and teach various skills through fun activities for the students.

Because our school has been one of the lowest 300 in the district for a couple of years, reading is a priority. We begin with 30 minutes of whole group instruction, where we all work together in reading a book from our series, and learn about a new reading skill, as well as practice that skill in groups, and individually. After that, we spend an hour doing differentiated instruction. Now the students are divided into 3 groups based on learning needs, and we rotate to different activities, including a small teacher-lead group. This allows the students to review a skill they have not yet mastered, or advanced to a new skill. The students also use the computers to work on needed skills, and partake in an individual or group activity. Finally, we get back together and work on grammar and writing skills.

All the students truly enjoyed the new books, as it gave them a variety of choices. The books were diversified ranging from literary gems such as "Madeleine" to non-fiction books that answer scientific and social questions. Because of their age, most gravitated toward the fiction books, though as previously mentioned, we used one of the biographies for our final IB project this year. These books did not only benefit students this school year, but will continue benefiting students in years to come. Thank you again for your kindness, it made a world of difference for these students to see that there are many people who care about their education.”

With gratitude,

Ms. Velasquez

My students gained much needed knowledge of grammar, writing skills, and text connections through the literacy centers that where generously funded by you. The "Just Write" magazine also included in this project, was invaluable in helping them learn to research and write about their research. These materials were fun to use and helpful in getting my students prepared for not only the FSA writing test, but also sixth grade. We are extremely grateful for your donation to help fund our project.

Through using the literacy centers from our project, my students brushed up on and expanded their knowledge of skills used to write with proficiency. There are ten center activities in each box that students complete independently. These centers are self-checking; which gives my students a sense of ownership over their learning because they get instant feedback on their work. Some of the centers we received were related to grammar, vocabulary and writing. All of these skills, as well as our "Just Write" magazines, helped my students be better writers.

The "just Write" magazines walked the students through the entire research and writing process of a research project, with my help. In the magazine the process is broken up into small pieces, so that students learn one piece at a time and don't get overwhelmed. I found it easy to teach and the students were engaged and able to keep up with the information. I feel they grasped the information to the best of their ability using this magazine. Plus, they seemed to enjoy it, which is always a good thing. This magazine made a huge difference in my students' educational process.

Thank you for funding our project and making learning fun in our classroom.”

With gratitude,

Ms. Doughty

My students were very excited to receive these books! They love to be read to and it's even better when it goes with a concept we are learning. By reading "More or Less", my students get to enjoy a story about a guessing booth at the fair and learn about comparing numbers at the same time. Another book, "Captain Invincible and the Space Shapes", the students learn about 3D Shapes.

Reading is fun in my classroom! We read to earn AR points, for fun, and to learn! We start off the day by reading quietly to ourselves. We partner read, read in groups and read as a class. We read to learn about science and math concepts.

When I am finished reading one if our math books, I put them in a container labeled Math Books. They are put there for students to enjoy on their own. Some of the students can't wait until I put the next book into the box and will read them over and over again.

Thank you again for supporting my classroom and contributing to my students love of reading and math.”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Rhodes

Your donation has granted more to my third graders and me than you could ever imagine. Third grade is a vitally important year in childhood development. By the end of third grade, students should be able to set personal academic and social goals, and develop strategies to help them achieve those goals. Most important of all, is for the motivation for these things to be internalized, rather than coming because a parent or teacher 'says so'. That is my dream for each and every one of my students. For them to come to me, beaming with interest in a book they have just read. A book that they chose to read, and not 'forced' to read.

Coming into my classroom on the first day at a new school, one thing was clear. There was a lack of books to build the interest in my students. As a struggling reader once, I knew first hand how important finding a good book would mean to my students. These books would allow my students an outlet to dream and experience life beyond the four walls of our classroom.

Since the arrival of the boxes, my students were curious. Once they realized at their fingertips were brand new books, stories to be uncovered it has dramatically changed reading in our classroom. We used the non-fiction books to write our research biography reports. After reading a few non-fiction biographical books, my students began to become interested in historical figures and their impact on our world. This interest inspired our topic for our research-writing project. They wanted to learn more and began researching historical figures online. There is also a long wait list of students waiting to read books such as the, "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" series and the "Hard as Nails" history series. I couldn't imagine there would be a day where my students would ask to be able to bring their books to recess to read. The books have become so popular, that even I have invested personal time reading the books to be able to connect with my students.

For many, reading in third grade is where students begin their journey. The journey of finding the joy in reading whatever their interest may be. My greatest goal for my students is for them to enjoy learning and genuinely build an interest in what they are learning. These books have not only changed how my students read, but how they learn. They are now suggesting ideas and asking more questions. They have transitioned into taking ownership of their learning. I am thankful beyond words for your donation and the impact it has made to my class this year. My students this year, and the years to come will be forever grateful for the kindness of your donation.”

With gratitude,

Ms. Tran

Thank you so much for finding our program. The hearts of mine and our students are forever grateful. There's no better gift than that of Reading. I can't wait to share these wonderful books with them. Thank you so very much for your wonderful gift to our students.”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Estrada