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This teacher needs your help!

Mr. Taruskin from Staten Island, NY is requesting instructional technology through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Mr. Taruskin is requesting

Learning English Through Movie Magic!

Help me give my students a complete, modern video studio. We will make movies in English. We need cameras, lighting equipment, sound equipment, and a green screen to learn English through the fun and excitement of making movies.

  • $1,217 goal

This project expired on September 9, 2022.

This project expired on September 9, 2022.

My Project

My students come from all over the world. I have English language learners from Colombia, Dominican Republic, Bangladesh, and Yemen. My ELLs are the most enthusiastic students in our school. They get excited about coming to my classroom to learn the English language.

Here in the U.S., they live in a high-poverty area of Brooklyn, NY.

As their ESL teacher, it is my job to help them improve their listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills in English. I want to make their English learning experience something they'll never forget.

When I was a child, I wanted to be a filmmaker and I went to USC for film school. I've used these filmmaking skills throughout my teaching career. In fact, 9 years ago I wrote a very similar project for Donor's Choose, but in the past 9 years technology has made leaps and bounds. The equipment I received in 2013 is outdated. I want to give my current students the same filmmaking experience I gave my previous students.

The best learning happens when you don't even realize it. When you're involved. When you WANT to do something, learning about it isn't work. I'm requesting this camera, lighting, background, sound, and other equipment so my ELLs can learn English through the production of short videos. The students will write, produce, and act in these short videos. Not only will they learn English, but they will also learn how films and TV shows are made. They will write and read scripts, read and write cue cards, listen for their cues, and say their lines. My previous ELLs absolutely LOVED creating these videos. They didn't even realize they were improving their English skills in all modalities.

This project will give my students a unique experience. Something they will keep with them forever. Something they'll tell their grandkids about... in English!

Mr. Taruskin
Grades 3-5
    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

    This project will reach 17 students.

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Canon - EOS Rebel T7 DSLR Video Two Lens Kit with EF-S 18-55mm and EF 75-300mm Lenses • Best Buy Education $606.98 1 $606.98
RALENO 2 Packs LED Video Light and 75inches Stand Lighting Kit Include: 3200K-5600K CRI95+ Built-in Battery with 1 Handbag 2 Light Stands for Gaming,Streaming,Youtube,Web Conference,Studio Photography • Amazon Business $158.99 1 $158.99
Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery Pack for Canon LP-E10 • Best Buy Education $63.41 1 $63.41
EMART Photo Video Studio 10Ft Adjustable Background Stand Backdrop Support System Kit with Carry Bag • Amazon Business $53.98 1 $53.98
LZSIG Video Microphone,DSLR Camera Microphone,Shotgun Mic.Suitable for iPhone/Android Smartphones/Canon/Nikon/Sony/Pocket Cameras.Used for Recording,Interview,Vlogging,Live,YouTube,Tiktok-LVM1 • Amazon Business $21.98 2 $43.96
Neewer 9 x 15 feet/2.7 x 4.6 Meters Green Chromakey Muslin Backdrop Background Screen with 3 Clamps for Photo Video Studio Photography (Backdrop Stand Not Included) • Amazon Business $36.49 1 $36.49
TAKSTAR SGC-598 Photography Interview Shotgun MIC Microphone for Nikon Canon DSLR Camera (Need 3.5mm Interface) • Amazon Business $25.00 1 $25.00

Materials cost

$988.81

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$14.83

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$1,033.64

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$182.41

Total project goal

$1,216.05

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 Mr. Taruskin and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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