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This teacher needs your help!

Mrs. Pociecha-Sparkman from Waukegan, IL is requesting other through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Mrs. Pociecha-Sparkman is requesting

Getting to the Core of Writing: A New Approach

My students need 50 guided writing journals to help them modify the way in which they write to meet the Common Core standards.

  • $230 goal

Hooray! This project is fully funded

Hooray! This project is fully funded

Keep the momentum going! Make a donation to Mrs. Pociecha-Sparkman for her next project!

Help Mrs. Pociecha-Sparkman

Keep the momentum going! Make a donation to Mrs. Pociecha-Sparkman 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

One of the most difficult subjects to teach is writing, and now students are being asked to write more than ever with the new Common Core standards. The academic vocabulary associated with writing has changed. I'm looking for resources to help guide my students to a new way of thinking about writing.

I have the privilege of teaching 48 fifth graders reading and language arts.

They are strong willed and filled with personality. My students attend a high poverty school with Title I services. English language learners make up half of our student population. What our school lacks in resources, we make up for in determination to succeed.

My Project

I am requesting fifty writing practice Common Core journals for my students. The journals are broken into three parts by tabs: narrative, informative, and opinion. These are the three areas of focus in writing for the Common Core Standards. My students, being fifth graders, have grown accustomed to certain terms used in writing, like narrative, expository, and persuasive. These terms have been updated with the new standards. I would like these journals to ensure that my students learn the proper terms for writing before they go to middle school. Another reason why I would appreciate these journals is because they provide the students with guidelines and word lists for how to write in each area. The journal also has writing exercises and instructions on how to revise what the students wrote effectively. The journals would be a beneficial resource for mini lessons to help engage my students in the writing process. I like how the activities are informative, but not too drawn out.

These vivid, colorful writing journals have valuable skills and information for the students about writing.

These are not just journals that the students write in. They provide the students with guidance to help them become creative and coherent writers. In the way that the journal is organized, the students will learn the new terms associated with each different type of writing, as well as tips and tricks to help them be successful writers across genres.

Mrs. Pociecha-Sparkman John S Clark Elementary School Grades 3-5

Equity Focus

This project directly supports students at a historically underfunded school. Learn more about our Equity Focus.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

More about Mrs. Pociecha-Sparkman

Waukegan, IL 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

48 students impacted 1donor

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
AA767 - Writing Practice Common Core Journal - Gr. 4-5 - Set of 10 • Lakeshore Learning Materials $32.50 5 $162.50

Materials cost

$162.50

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$2.44

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$194.94

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$34.40

Total project goal

$229.34

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $229.34

1 Donor

-$229.34

Donations toward project cost

-$194.94

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$34.40

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 Mrs. Pociecha-Sparkman and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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