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This teacher needs your help!

Ms. McSpadden from Houston, TX is requesting books through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Ms. McSpadden is requesting

Books on the Brain, Songs in the Soul

My students need 30 texts, both non-fiction and fiction books that bring to life the musical works and folk songs we study during music class.

  • $588 goal

Hooray! This project is fully funded

Hooray! This project is fully funded

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

Help Ms. McSpadden

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

Celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month

Celebrate Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month

This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.

My Students

Maya Angelou says that "Any book that helps a child to form a habit of reading, to make reading one of his deep and continuing needs, is good for him.". In my classroom I want to provide my students with access to books of all types and genre that will support their study of music.

While my students are creative and enthusiastic about learning, they face significant economic and social obstacles that often hinder them from reaching their potential.

My students have a sincere love of learning and a particular love of learning through music. One of their favorite things to do in music is to sing a book for a song that we have been singing in class. They also love books about composers and other non-fiction books about musical topics. The books in my music class are extremely popular with my students which is wonderful because many of them are reluctant readers. Augmenting our classroom library would further integrate reading into every part of music class.

My Project

I am asking for a combination of books that include companion books for major musical works by famous composers. These books tell the background and stories behind musical works we study throughout elementary school. I'm also asking for some books related to folk songs. Our song literature is primarily focused on folk songs because of the support these songs lend to language development. Additionally, I have included titles that are multi-cultural, songs that support patriotic literature and books that are new releases from authors who have written great songs that have been turned into books for children like John Lithgow and John Denver. These are all titles that are not in my personal library OR the school library so each of these books represent an opportunity that is new and exciting for my students.

My students are at a critical stage on their journey toward becoming life long learners.

This is an important project because I have students in my class whose only interest in school is a musical interest. These are the students who are most at risk of giving up on school. Success in one area of life can often lead to success in another. We must give these students a chance to expand their literacy skills at every opportunity so that their successes are shared throughout the school day.

Ms. McSpadden Spring Shadows Elementary School Grades 3-5

Equity Focus

At this school, more than 50% of students are Black, Latino, and/or Native American, and more than 50% come from low-income households. Learn how your donation to this school supports a more equitable education.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

More about Ms. McSpadden

Houston, TX View local requests

Nearly all students from low‑income households Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more

660 students impacted 11donors

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

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Freddie the Frog and the Mysterious Wahooooo Sharon Burch, T • AKJ Books $18.68 1 $18.68
The Carnival of the Animals Jack Prelutsky, Mary GrandPre (I • AKJ Books $17.93 1 $17.93
Farewell Symphony Anna Harwell Celenza, Joann E. Kitchel (Il • AKJ Books $17.12 1 $17.12
The Heroic Symphony Anna Harwell Celenza, JoAnn E. Kitchel ( • AKJ Books $17.12 1 $17.12
The Magic Flute Adapted by Kyra Teis, Kyra Teis (Illustrator • AKJ Books $16.16 1 $16.16
Magic Flute Peter Malone (Illustrator), Anne Gath, Retold by • AKJ Books $15.56 1 $15.56
Gershwins Rhapsody in Blue Anna Harwell Celenza, Joann E. Ki • AKJ Books $17.12 1 $17.12
Clementine • AKJ Books $20.27 1 $20.27
I''Ve Been Working on the Railroad • AKJ Books $20.27 1 $20.27
Follow the Drinking Gourd • AKJ Books $6.23 1 $6.23
Abiyoyo: Based on a South African Lullaby and Folk Story Pet • AKJ Books $15.56 1 $15.56
For Baby (For Bobbie) • AKJ Books $15.56 1 $15.56
We Are One • AKJ Books $14.00 1 $14.00
Animal Fair Ponder Goembel (Illustrator) • AKJ Books $10.13 1 $10.13
America My Country ''Tis of Thee: An American Song about Free • AKJ Books $20.27 1 $20.27
De colores • AKJ Books $13.25 1 $13.25
Hey, Little Ant • AKJ Books $12.47 1 $12.47
Lift Every Voice and Sing • AKJ Books $13.25 1 $13.25
Morning Has Broken • AKJ Books $7.01 1 $7.01
Over the Rainbow Performed by Judy Collins, Eric Puybaret (I • AKJ Books $14.00 1 $14.00
Up on the Housetop • AKJ Books $10.13 1 $10.13
Home on the Range: John A. Lomax and His Cowboy Songs Debora • AKJ Books $13.25 1 $13.25
You''re a Grand Old Flag • AKJ Books $20.27 1 $20.27
Father Grumble John M. Feierabend, Erik Plude (Illustrator) • AKJ Books $15.26 1 $15.26
Puff, the Magic Dragon Peter Yarrow, Lenny Lipton, Eric Puyb • AKJ Books $13.22 1 $13.22
The Star-Spangled Banner: America''s National Anthem and Its • AKJ Books $20.27 1 $20.27
What A Wonderful World George David Weiss, Bob Thiele, Ashle • AKJ Books $14.81 1 $14.81
I Got Two Dogs John Lithgow, Robert Neubecker (Illustrator) • AKJ Books $14.03 1 $14.03
Let There Be Peace on Earth • AKJ Books $14.81 1 $14.81
A Musical Journey • AKJ Books $19.46 1 $19.46

Materials cost

$457.47

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$6.86

Fulfillment labor & materials

$35.00

Total project cost

$499.33

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$88.12

Total project goal

$587.45

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $587.45

8 Donors

-$456.65

Donations toward project cost

-$395.65

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$61.00

match offer

-$121.98

Match offer toward project cost

-$103.68

Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$18.30

Excluded support for DonorsChoose

-$8.82

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

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

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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. McSpadden and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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