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This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Darcy Castellanos from Chicago, IL is requesting books through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Ms. Darcy Castellanos is requesting

Books Give Students the Gift of an Imagination

Help me give my students the opportunity to read fiction books that enhance their imagination.

  • $803 goal

Hooray! This project is fully funded

Hooray! This project is fully funded

Keep the momentum going! Make a donation to Ms. Darcy Castellanos for her next project!

Help Ms. Darcy Castellanos

Keep the momentum going! Make a donation to Ms. Darcy Castellanos for her next project!

My Students

My current students are the most energetic and motivated students I have ever taught. Their thirst for knowledge and excitement over books is contagious. Many of my students are very active in sports and music classes. This does not leave a lot of time for them to read. I appreciate how many students squeeze in reading in between games or during the drive to a practice. I cannot keep books on my shelves because the students are so enthusiastic to read stories.

In the words of the beloved writer, Dr. Seuss, "The more that you read, the more things you will know.

The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” This quote is embodied whole-heartedly at our school, where we implement various reading programs. Our students are well-rounded readers and are on track to becoming "college and career ready" by getting into the high school of their choosing. It is imperative that these students consistently read books to increase their reading abilities. But most importantly, I hope to foster a love of reading within their souls so that they feel empowered to continue their love of reading throughout their

My Project

My students helped me choose books for this DonorChoose project. This help foster motivation to read because the students were picking titles of books that interested them. By having the students choose the titles, they are having more input about what they are reading in the classroom and this will inspire them to make time to read with their busy schedules.

Fantasy fiction is the number one genre that boosts students' vocabulary.

This is due to the plethora of advanced words that children encounter in the fantasy worlds they read about. Students' reading levels are correlated to their understanding of complex vocabulary words and comprehension of the text. Fantasy fiction is a great way for students to enhance their love of reading while also improving their reading levels. Students read at all different levels. Therefore, some of the books that were chosen such as the Amulet series and the Hive series are designed to reach readers at different levels. Other books in that are in a series and will reach all readers are: Septimus Heap Angie Sage, Alex Rider 10 Books Box Set Complete, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Inheritance Cycle

The Ender's Shadow Series, Uglies series with Pretties and Specials,

Harley Merlin series, Inkheart Trilogy, Greyson Gray, and Ranger's Apprentice. Students have to read for 30 minutes a day and having titles that are at their independent levels and stories that excite them will keep them on track with reading. Fantasy books are a great way for students to enhance their imaginations without the aid of electronics!

Ms. Darcy Castellanos Wildwood IB World Magnet School Grades 6-8

More about Ms. Darcy Castellanos

Chicago, IL View local requests 57 students impacted 23donors

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Expand the "Where your donation goes" section below to see exactly what Ms. Darcy Castellanos is requesting.

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Amulet #1-7 Box Set • Amazon Business $65.09 1 $65.09
Alex Rider 10 Books Box Set Complete Collection By Anthony Horowitz • Amazon Business $44.99 1 $44.99
Septimus Heap Angie Sage 7 Books Collection Set Pack (Wizard Apprentice Series) • Amazon Business $44.99 1 $44.99
Percy Jackson and the Olympians 5 Book Paperback Boxed Set (new covers w/poster) (Percy Jackson & the Olympians) • Amazon Business $21.00 2 $42.00
Inheritance Cycle 4-Book Trade Paperback Boxed Set (Eragon, Eldest, Brisingr, In (The Inheritance Cycle) • Amazon Business $33.58 1 $33.58
The Ender's Shadow Series Boxed Set: Ender's Shadow, Shadow of the Hegemon, Shadow Puppets, Shadow of the Giant (The Shadow Series) • Amazon Business $24.14 1 $24.14
Pretties (Uglies) • Amazon Business $11.99 2 $23.98
Specials (Uglies) • Amazon Business $11.99 2 $23.98
Uglies • Amazon Business $7.99 2 $15.98
Harley Merlin and the Secret Coven (Volume 1) • Amazon Business $14.99 1 $14.99
Harley Merlin 3: Harley Merlin and the Stolen Magicals • Amazon Business $14.99 1 $14.99
Harley Merlin 2: Harley Merlin and the Mystery Twins (Volume 2) • Amazon Business $14.99 1 $14.99
Greyson Gray: Deadfall (The Greyson Gray Series) (Volume 3) • Amazon Business $14.95 1 $14.95
Greyson Gray: Fair Game (The Greyson Gray Series) (Volume 2) • Amazon Business $14.95 1 $14.95
Middle School: Just My Rotten Luck • Amazon Business $13.99 1 $13.99
The Half Upon a Time Trilogy: Half Upon a Time; Twice Upon a Time; Once Upon the End • Amazon Business $13.19 1 $13.19
Inkdeath (Inkheart Trilogy) • Amazon Business $12.99 1 $12.99
Middle School: Ultimate Showdown • Amazon Business $12.67 1 $12.67
Betrayal: The Betrayal; The Secret; The Burning (Fear Street Saga) • Amazon Business $12.59 1 $12.59
Fear Street Super Thriller: Party Games & Don't Stay Up Late • Amazon Business $11.69 1 $11.69
Greyson Gray: Camp Legend (The Greyson Gray Series) (Volume 1) • Amazon Business $11.58 1 $11.58
Swords & Stilettos (Enlighten Series) (Volume 1) • Amazon Business $11.39 1 $11.39
Royal Crown: From the Notebooks of a Middle School Princess • Amazon Business $10.97 1 $10.97
Inkheart (Inkheart Trilogy) • Amazon Business $10.46 1 $10.46
Inkspell (Inkheart Trilogy) • Amazon Business $9.89 1 $9.89
The Nerdiest, Wimpiest, Dorkiest I Funny Ever • Amazon Business $9.78 1 $9.78
Royal Crush: From the Notebooks of a Middle School Princess • Amazon Business $9.48 1 $9.48
The Ruins of Gorlan (The Ranger's Apprentice, Book 1) • Amazon Business $8.99 1 $8.99
The Burning Bridge (The Ranger's Apprentice, Book 2) • Amazon Business $8.99 1 $8.99
A Tangle of Knots • Amazon Business $8.99 1 $8.99
Fire Star (Last Dragon Chronicles, Book 3) • Amazon Business $8.09 1 $8.09
The Fire Within • Amazon Business $8.09 1 $8.09
Icefire (The Last Dragon Chronicles #2) • Amazon Business $8.07 1 $8.07
The Doublecross: (And Other Skills I Learned as a Superspy) • Amazon Business $7.99 1 $7.99
The Icebound Land (Ranger's Apprentice, Book 3) • Amazon Business $7.99 1 $7.99
Lemons • Amazon Business $7.19 1 $7.19
A Clatter of Jars • Amazon Business $6.81 1 $6.81
The Great Treehouse War • Amazon Business $6.81 1 $6.81
Royal Wedding Disaster: From the Notebooks of a Middle School Princess • Amazon Business $6.21 1 $6.21
Cursed: A New Fear; House of Whispers; Forbidden Secrets (Fear Street Saga) • Amazon Business $4.28 1 $4.28

Materials cost

$642.77

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$9.64

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$682.41

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$120.43

Total project goal

$802.84

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $802.84

23 Donors

-$794.01

Donations toward project cost

-$682.41

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$111.60

Excluded support for DonorsChoose

-$8.83

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.

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DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Darcy Castellanos and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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