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This teacher needs your help!

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

See what Ms. Renie is requesting

Just Right Books

The cost of appropriate level books is $406, including shipping and <a target="new" href="http://www.donorschoose.org/html/fulfillment.htm" onclick="g_openWindow('http://www.donorschoose.org/html/fulfillment.htm', 300, 800, 'fulfillwindow');return false;">fulfillment</a>.

  • $460 goal

Hooray! This project is fully funded

Hooray! This project is fully funded

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

Help Ms. Renie

I am a first grade teacher at Claremont Academy in the West Englewood neighborhood of Chicago, IL. Approximately 94% of the students qualify for free lunch. One of my goals this year includes creating an engaging learning environment where my students will learn to use reading strategies independently and therefore, understand and enjoy what they read. One of our positive learning experiences is literacy centers and reading conferences, where children practice the strategies and skills independently and also with guidance. During independent reading, children read books at their “just right” reading level for 20 minutes at a time. My students are excited about the books they read. They love to discuss new things they discover. It's a wonder for them to keep practicing a new strategy and then, to find out they can finally do it on their own. I often hear voices of pride and happiness when they share what strategies they mastered after much practice. They are inspired to learn new things and reflect upon them. This learning time creates a cheerleader environment where everyone is excited about the success of everyone. Most of all, each child is excited about his own progress and that he feels appropriately challenged, instead of frustrated. When they feel smart, there is a change in attitude, behavior, and work ethic. According to Sharon Taberski, “Engagement is a process by which the learner sees himself as capable of learning a particular skill and decides to do whatever necessary to acquire it.” Children need “just right” books to learn how to read and to enjoy reading enough to keep trying. Charmayne can read quietly by herself for 20 minutes at a time. When reading books on her level, she is calm and confident for the rest of the day. James just tried out a new strategy that I demonstrated and was able to master it; he excitedly tells me that he wants to read for me. He believes in himself, when he didn't before. However, not everyone is able to have these feelings of accomplishment consistently because we do not have books that match everyone's needs. Reading can foster a love of learning and an interest in new things, but also teaches much-needed strategies for later in life. In order for children to be functional and successful, they need books they can read. I can teach the strategies, but we need the materials to make this experience real. With these books, my students will practice the strategies, discuss books together, develop critical ideas, and respond to what they read. A classroom library with books for all my readers will make our reading experiences engaging and successful.

Ms. Renie Claremont Academy Elementary School Grades PreK-2

Celebrate Black teachers and kids! This project supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of students are Black.

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 Ms. Renie

Chicago, IL 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

30 students impacted 2donors

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

See our finances

Where Your Donation Goes

Materials Cost Quantity Total
XT852 - Step into Reading - Gr. 1-3 • Lakeshore Learning $39.50 1 $39.50
XT851 - Step into Reading - Gr. 1 • Lakeshore Learning $39.50 1 $39.50
AA841 - Level H Extra Book Set - Gr. 1-2 - Libra • Lakeshore Learning $29.00 1 $29.00
AA838 - Level F Extra Book Set - Gr. 1 - Library • Lakeshore Learning $27.00 1 $27.00
AA842 - Level I Extra Book Set - Gr. 1-2 - Libra • Lakeshore Learning $27.00 1 $27.00
AA839 - Level G Extra Book Set - Gr. 1 - Library • Lakeshore Learning $26.00 1 $26.00
AA837 - Level E Extra Book Set - Gr. 1 - Library • Lakeshore Learning $24.00 1 $24.00
AA836 - Level D Extra Book Set - Gr. 1 - Library • Lakeshore Learning $23.00 1 $23.00
AA834 - Level B Extra Book Set - K-Gr. 1 - Libra • Lakeshore Learning $23.00 1 $23.00
AA833 - Level A Extra Book Set - K - Library 1 • Lakeshore Learning $22.00 1 $22.00
AA843 - Level J Extra Book Set - Gr. 2 - Library • Lakeshore Learning $20.00 1 $20.00
AA835 - Level C Extra Book Set - K-Gr. 1 - Libra • Lakeshore Learning $19.00 1 $19.00

Materials cost

$319.00

Vendor shipping charges

FREE

Sales tax

3rd party payment processing fee

Fulfillment labor & materials

Total project cost

$377.20

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$82.80

Total project goal

$460.00

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

$460.00

2 Donors

-$442.22

Donations toward project cost

-$377.75

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$64.47

Excluded support for DonorsChoose

-$18.45

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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