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This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Ofstie from Austin, MN is requesting books through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Ms. Ofstie is requesting

Bring American History to Life for 5th Grade Immigrant Kids

My students need a variety of books, games, and activities that will bring American history to life for them.

  • $294 goal

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Hooray! This project is fully funded

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My Students

"If you don't know history, then you don't know anything. You are a leaf that doesn't know it is part of a tree." This quote by Michael Crichton highlights the importance of learning history and understanding one's place in it. You can help bring American history to life for my 5th grade students.

I teach small groups of 5th grade English language learners in Minnesota.

My students come from various countries, such as Mexico, Sudan, and Laos. They are wonderful, eager, bright students. Our school is in a rural area that has a fairly large immigrant community. This year, I am teaching them social studies, specifically American history. Minnesota has adopted new standards for English language learners, and they are much more rigorous and content-based than they have been in the past. Students now need to pass tests that include language arts, math, science, and social studies in order to be considered proficient in English.

My Project

Therefore, I am requesting a set of books and games that will help my students learn American history, geography, and mapping skills in a fun, hands-on way. The items include a kit about the election, which will be coming up in November; a game to practice the geography of the 50 states; 3-D maps that will help students learn about historical events hands-on; a book of songs that will help teach American history; reading and writing activities about primary sources; oral language activities about patriotic symbols; and much more. These items will greatly expand the materials that are currently available to me, and will allow the students to reach a much deeper understanding of American history.

American history can be a very difficult subject to understand, especially when English is not your first language.

These books and games will have a deep impact on my students, allowing them to love history as much as I do. These materials will be used for 5th graders both this year, and for many years to come. Please help me bring history to life for these fabulous students.

Ms. Ofstie Southgate Elementary School Grades 3-5

More about Ms. Ofstie

Austin, MN View local requests

More than half of 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

13 students impacted 4donors

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

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Tunes That Teach American History • Kaplan Early Learning Company $16.95 1 $16.95
Neighbors and Communities Grades 1-3 • Kaplan Early Learning Company $14.95 1 $14.95
United States Geography Grades 3-5 • Kaplan Early Learning Company $14.95 1 $14.95
Candidates, Campaigns & Elections • Kaplan Early Learning Company $15.95 1 $15.95
Patriotic Activity Charts • Kaplan Early Learning Company $7.95 1 $7.95
GeoSafari(r) Spin U.S.A. • Kaplan Early Learning Company $29.95 1 $29.95
Primary Source Fluency Activities: Early American History • Kaplan Early Learning Company $29.95 1 $29.95
Building Fluency Through Practice and Performance: American History • Kaplan Early Learning Company $29.95 1 $29.95
Classroom Election Kit • Kaplan Early Learning Company $39.95 1 $39.95
Interactive 3D Maps - American History • Kaplan Early Learning Company $15.95 1 $15.95

Materials cost

$216.50

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$3.25

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$249.75

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$44.07

Total project goal

$293.82

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $293.82

2 Donors

-$135.99

Donations toward project cost

-$115.60

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$20.39

Matching donations from our partners

-$157.83

Match offers toward project cost

-$134.16

Match offers to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$23.67

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. Ofstie and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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