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This teacher needs your help!

Mrs. Erwin from Newark, CA is requesting books through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Mrs. Erwin is requesting

Mind the Reading Gap!

Help me give my students high interest, low reading level books so they can make it to grade level.

  • $493 goal

Hooray! This project is fully funded

Hooray! This project is fully funded

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

Help Mrs. Erwin

Keep the momentum going! Make a donation to Mrs. Erwin 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

In my 4th grade class of 31 students, in the second trimester, I have observed growth in their reading progress. However, I have 7 who are reading at the first or second grade level, and another 15 who are at the 3rd grade level. Fourth graders cannot afford to be below grade level. This gap is only going to grow unless they find a connection to reading and learning.

Books are expensive, but illiteracy is more expensive.

A third grade reading level is a significant predictor of eighth grade reading level. If students in 8th grade aren't on grade level, the chances of them making it to college decrease significantly.

My 4th graders are two levels below, and this will only get worse if they do not start practicing how to be a life long reader. Students below grade level have to work extra hard, in school and at home, to catch up. The only way to improve reading is to practice. If the effort students put into video games matched the effort they put into reading, we wouldn't have such significant numbers of students reading below grade level.

Teachers face challenges finding books that will interest students without making them feel worse about their low reading levels. If I can get books into the hands of students that will pique their interest in a book, then that is half the battle. This list of books only scratches the surface. If one of these titles allows a student to spark a connection to love reading, then we all win.

Students who don't like to read is because they haven't found the right book. I need a variety of book choices so I can make sure EVERY student uncovers a passion for reading. Their futures depend on it.

Mrs. Erwin Coyote Hills 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. Erwin

Newark, 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

32 students impacted 2donors

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

See our finances

Where Your Donation Goes

Materials Cost Quantity Total
The Last Kids On Earth Collection 7 Books Set By Max Brallier (Last Kids On Earth, Zombie Parade, Nightmare King, Cosmic Beyond, Midnight Blade, Skeleton Road & Doomsday Race) • Amazon Business $48.99 1 $48.99
Capstone Press Graphic Spin Books Levels I - M - Set of 8 • Kaplan Early Learning Company $47.66 1 $47.66
The Captain Awesome Ten-Book Cool-lection (Boxed Set): Captain Awesome to the Rescue!; vs. Nacho Cheese Man; and the New Kid; Takes a Dive; Soccer ... Gets Crushed; and the Missing Elephants • Amazon Business $42.60 1 $42.60
Achieve It! EllRay Jakes Book Series Variety Pack, Grades 1 to 3, Set of 6 - Grades 1-3 - Kids • School Specialty $40.49 1 $40.49
Kaplan Early Learning Cam Jansen Books Level L - Set of 8 • Kaplan Early Learning Company $35.96 1 $35.96
Achieve It! Flat Stanley: Variety Book Pack, Grades 2 to 4, Set of 5 - Grades 2-4 - Kids • School Specialty $29.24 1 $29.24
Unicorn Diaries, Books 1-5: A Branches Box Set • Amazon Business $21.99 1 $21.99
Harper Collins Amelia Bedelia Chapter Books - Paperback - Set of 4 • Kaplan Early Learning Company $21.56 1 $21.56
Dragons in a Box: Magical Creatures Collection (Dragons in a Bag) • Amazon Business $15.99 1 $15.99
Unicorn Academy: Rainbow of Adventure Boxed Set (Books 1-4) • Amazon Business $14.46 1 $14.46
Messi: A Boy Who Became A Star. Inspiring children book about Lionel Messi - one of the best soccer players in history. (Soccer Book For Kids) • Amazon Business $14.31 1 $14.31
Perseverance Makes Me Stronger: Social Emotional Book for Kids about Self-confidence, Managing Frustration, Self-esteem and Growth Mindset Suitable for Children Ages 3 to 8 (World of Kids Emotions) • Amazon Business $11.69 1 $11.69

Materials cost

$344.94

Vendor shipping charges

$6.97

Sales tax

$31.56

3rd party payment processing fee

$5.17

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$418.64

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$73.88

Total project goal

$492.52

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

$492.52

1 Donor

-$418.64

Donations toward project cost

-$418.64

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$0.00

Excluded support for DonorsChoose

-$73.88

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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