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This teacher needs your help!

Mrs. Younger from Santa Ana, CA is requesting books through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Mrs. Younger is requesting

Connecting Cultures: Empowering Middle Schoolers with Culturally Relevant Books

Help me give my students a classroom library by a diverse group of authors.

  • $270 goal

Hooray! This project is fully funded

Hooray! This project is fully funded

Keep the momentum going! Make a donation to Mrs. Younger for her next project!

Help Mrs. Younger

Keep the momentum going! Make a donation to Mrs. Younger 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 Project

Culturally relevant books play a pivotal role in middle school social studies classrooms for several compelling reasons. First they help bridge the gap between the students' own diverse backgrounds and the content being taught. Middle school is a critical time for identity formation, and culturally relevant books can serve as mirrors that reflect the students' own experiences and as windows that provide insight into the experiences of others. This not only fosters a sense of belonging and self-esteem but also cultivates empathy and a broader perspective on the world. It ensures that the curriculum is more relatable and engaging, making it easier for students to connect with historical events, diverse cultures, and complex societal issues.

Culturally relevant books promote critical thinking and a deeper understanding of social studies topics.

When students encounter texts that resonate with their own lives and experiences, they are more likely to become active and enthusiastic learners. They are motivated to ask questions, seek answers, and explore topics with greater curiosity. This engagement can lead to more meaningful discussions, debates, and projects in the classroom. It encourages students to connect historical events to contemporary issues and challenges them to think critically about the impact of the past on the present and future.

A variety of books in middle school social studies classrooms promote inclusivity and diversity. They send a powerful message that all voices, histories, and perspectives are valued and worthy of study. By incorporating a variety of voices and experiences into the curriculum, we can create a classroom environment that celebrates diversity and promotes equity. This not only benefits students from marginalized backgrounds but also helps all students develop the skills and attitudes needed to become informed and empathetic global citizens. In essence, culturally relevant books serve as a tool for breaking down barriers.

Mrs. Younger Advanced Learning Academy K-8 Campus Grades 6-8

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 Mrs. Younger

Santa Ana, CA 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

160 students impacted 2donors

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You donate directly to the teacher or project you care about and see where every dollar you give goes.

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

See our finances

Where Your Donation Goes

Materials Cost Quantity Total
Long Way Down: The Graphic Novel (hardcover) • DonorsChoose Featured Favorites $19.00 1 $19.00
Cool. Awkward. Black. (hardcover) • MahoganyBooks $17.09 1 $17.09
School Trip: A Graphic Novel (paperback) • MahoganyBooks $13.49 1 $13.49
So Done • AKJ Education $12.40 1 $12.40
Merci Suárez Changes Gears (paperback) • DonorsChoose Featured Favorites $12.00 1 $12.00
The Last Kids on Earth • AKJ Education $10.21 1 $10.21
Positively Izzy • AKJ Education $10.21 1 $10.21
Invisible Emmie • AKJ Education $10.21 1 $10.21
Flying Lessons and Other Stories (paperback) • DonorsChoose Featured Favorites $10.00 1 $10.00
Other Words for Home • DonorsChoose Featured Favorites $10.00 1 $10.00
Drama: a Graphic Novel • AKJ Education $9.48 1 $9.48
Pet (paperback) • MahoganyBooks $8.99 1 $8.99
Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks (paperback) • MahoganyBooks $8.09 1 $8.09
Good Kind of Trouble, A (paperback) • MahoganyBooks $7.19 1 $7.19
You Go First • AKJ Education $5.83 1 $5.83
Just Like Jackie • AKJ Education $5.10 1 $5.10

Materials cost

$169.29

Vendor shipping charges

$12.00

Sales tax

$15.49

3rd party payment processing fee

$2.54

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$229.32

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$40.47

Total project goal

$269.79

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

$269.79

1 Donor

-$134.89

Donations toward project cost

-$114.66

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$20.23

match offer

-$134.89

Match offer toward project cost

-$114.66

Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$20.23

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

$0.00

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

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Project Activity

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