THE HATE U GIVE Giving Page

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I cannot thank you enough for funding our trip. The students were very excited to see the film because they had seen the trailers and had been reading the novel in class.

In preparation for the trip the students were required to read Ms. Thomas' novel. Students were sucked into the novel immediately. Ms. Thomas did a wonderful job of creating so many relatable characters that many students felt like the book was written about them. As a result, many students wrote about looking forward to seeing the director's interpretation of specific events from the novel. As an educator, it was nice to see the students so motivated to finish a piece of literature.

The highlight of the trip for the students was the theater itself. They were excited to see sit in the huge relaxing chairs. I did not think that the chairs would leave a lasting impression on them. For me, it was watching how they emotionally connected with the film, seeing them jump up at an unexpected scene or cry throughout different parts of the plot.

Lastly, the film and novel generated genuine conversations about race, police, and equality in our country. Many students tried to find me as soon as we returned to school to share their ideas with me. They were so proud for being able to recognize areas of the plot that the director deviated from the novel. This lead to other conversations about why the writers and director would make those choices.

This was a wonderful experience to share with them.”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Davenport

Earlier this fall, you graciously donated to my classroom's fundraiser to help my students see "The Hate U Give" in theaters. I've taught this book for the past two years and it has been wildly successful (kids who were anti-reading have been transformed into students who like reading!). Your generous gift allowed my students from the past two years to see the movie that brought reading to life for them.

Highlights of the trip included our own private theater with reclining sofa seats (Arc Light Theater on Roosevelt did a great job accommodating us!) and full engagement throughout the movie.

Afterwards, we spent a day debriefing the movie. My students were meticulous about directorial choices, especially critiquing the way in which various story lines (and characters) were eliminated from the movie. Even more impressively, many said that they preferred to read the book because they felt that there were more details- this has been a highlight of my career! However, the kids still loved the movie and seeing characters come to life.

Again, I want to thank you for donating to our class. Your generosity never goes unnoticed. I am constantly explaining to my students that were receive gifts from people who believe in our classroom and it is important to practice gratitude for all the things we have, tangible or not, and the people who do good for us, present or not.

Sending you warm wishes and a happy, healthy 2019!”

With gratitude,

Ms. Benoit

Social justice. This is what my students were able to further comprehend, question, and critique by viewing "The Hate U Give". In light of current events, which we discuss frequently, my students were able to understand the magnitude of such a film and conversation around police brutality, stereotypes, and "single stories." My students cackled, squirmed, and sniffled throughout the film. By the end, everyone shed tears for Khalil, Starr, and Starr's family.

My students were beyond elated to know that we would view The Hate U Give as a group- as a community. The work and discourse leading up to the movie screening was intriguing and informative for both my students and myself. We discussed "The Danger of Single Story" and how stereotyping can be detrimental to the individual and to the community. Needless to say, my students absolutely LOVED the movie.

My students and I used this great opportunity to not only reflect on the aforementioned concepts and topics, but we also discussed, debated, and reflected upon current events related to similar social injustices. For many of my students, these discussions and written assignments only affirmed what they already know and see around them in their communities. For others, it was an eye opening experience to the many injustices that still exist regardless of what our basic human rights as people of this world. By viewing "THUG", my students were able to connections to current events and social injustices.

This project boosted my teaching because I was able to challenge my students. In turn, my students gained a much better understanding of social justice and what it means to fight in the face of so much adversity, when one knows that the fight is worth it because it is right. Through Starr's story, they understand how much using one's voice against injustice can change the narrative for so many people.

My students and I truly appreciated this opportunity to view such a moving and honest story. Our classroom community thanks you for your generosity.”

With gratitude,

Ms. Shafqat

Our Project Lit Abes Book Club read the book The Hate U Give together. We discussed it using questions generated by our students and invited staff and community members in to participate in out book club meetings. As a club, we were thrilled to go together to see the movie The Hate U Give as a field trip. We LOVED THE MOVIE! The students discussed the parts they loved the most and the differences between the movie and the book. We met to reflect and read other texts, current articles about real cases like the one in the book and movie, involving innocent young Black boys and girls who have been murdered by law enforcement. This was truly a community building experience in which our students deepened their knowledge, enjoyed reading an incredible book as a group and build relationships with each other and caring adults in our school community. We are SO VERY THANKFUL to all who helped us in our efforts to grow as learners, readers, community members and informed citizens. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Sierra

We had a great job going to the movies to watch "The Hate U Give"! Since so many of us had read the book and also had personal experience with the subject matter, it was very emotional to watch. Most of us came out of the theater crying, because the experience hit us so hard. For some students, this movie changed their minds, and they said that they now understood the Black Lives Matter Movement better.

We had excellent discussions the next day, which took up the entire period because we had so much to say. We spoke about racism, white privilege, allyship, masculinity, and relations between communities of color and police. Movies are an excellent learning tool, and we were extremely engaged during the time that we watched the film and discussed it.

Another nice thing about this trip was that many of us took parents and siblings to also watch it, so that they could see what we were learning about in school. We had good conversations with our families as well about the topics in the film. This field trip helped our whole school community, and we are so grateful to have been given this opportunity. We learned to use our voices to stand for justice!”

With gratitude,

Dr. Morales

About the trip to see the film...Unfortunately we were unable to make it to see the actual film. While the students were excited about seeing the film, the steps to get it approved through the school took longer than anticipated. Due to this, we missed seeing the film as by the time I heard back from the movie theater to arrange a viewing, the film was set to leave theaters the next day. While the students did not get an opportunity to see the film in the theater, there will be an opportunity to view it in class. Nothing can replace the experience seeing a film on the big screen... the lights, the seats, the popcorn; an opportunity to view it in class is the next best thing. Being in class also allows for an opportunity to stop the film at critical points and be able to facilitate rich discussion with students about what they saw, their thoughts about the section, etc. While it is nice to view a film without interruptions, some students, such as those who English is not their native or home language, will benefit more from having a chance to discuss what was seen in the film.

Since we missed seeing the film, we were eligible for a class set of novels. The class set of novels is actually more of a lasting curricular resource for me as an instructor as I can access the resource for the students that come after those who would have gone to the film. Having the physical novels makes it a resource I can incorporate for future lessons and units. Maybe I'm 'old school' but there is nothing better than being able to engage with a paper text! It is exciting as a teacher to be able to incorporate a current, urban novel for students to engage with as they are learning about literary terms such as plot and character development. A struggle has become having the funding to incorporate novels that students want to read with 'the classics' that are currently taught. It raises the question of 'what is a classic' and 'what should be taught as a novel'. Sometimes it feels like we are teaching what we have already instead of finding donors such as you to assist us with purchasing more novels. This question, I can imagine, came up with The Catcher in the Rye. This book was not always a classic but we now consider it to be. Can you imagine The Hate U Give achieving the status of a classic novel?

The actual novel inspires me to work to include a unit or mini-unit on current events where students are able to dissect the novel and the issues that the novel raises such as the way police are seen in society. Students constantly see images of how police are racists and brutal toward youth but this is not the case. For every 'bad' cop, there are two 'good' cops. Images and articles about police officers that go out of their way to help people and set an example for the rest to follow are which current events unit such as one that involves, The Hate U Give, would highlight and feature.”

With gratitude,

Ms. Farmer

My students loved the film. They screamed at the screen, cried, and even forgot they were surrounded by over a hundred of their peers. We were so lucky to be able to rent an entire theater and share the experience together. I am looking forward to teaching the novel next year and sharing the film again and again with students. We are so thankful that a novel and film exist that represent the students' experiences, their teen years, and larger issues we all face. You have given us a remarkable experience to share and we are thankful for it.”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Rowley

My students were super excited to see the movie, "The Hate U Give". They were 100% invested after reading the book. They were eager to see how the movie compared to the book.

My students who resist reading were the ones that devoured the book first. Seeing the movie was ICING on the cake. Going to the movies is an expensive treat that many of the students do not get to partake. This field-trip was a positive school memory that they will never forget....friends, snacks, comfy seats, a great movie during school hours....#priceless.

After seeing the movie, students were asked to think critically about the movie adaptation. They selected the most important elements that were changed or kept the same, the effect of this decision on the telling of the story and their preference: did the decision increase their understanding and enjoyment of the story?

After this unit my students have become expert movie critics, better writers and book lovers!”

With gratitude,

Mrs. J.

Thank you so much for your generous donation. Both the 7th grade teachers and the chaperones (teachers, etc.) had an absolutely amazing time going to see The Hate U Give. On top of the delicious treats, the students enjoyed the opportunity to see a movie they might not have been able to otherwise. Both the students and teachers would agree with me when I say that The Hate U Give was one of the most impactful films any of us has ever seen. The classroom reflection discussions that were had, once we returned back to school, were extremely eye-opening and truly helped our 7th grade team become an even stronger community.

Again, thank you for giving both the students and the teachers the opportunity to see a film that we were able to reflect on, connect to on a personal level, and/or connect to material that is learned in the classroom.”

With gratitude,

Ms. Smookler

This trip was one of the highlights of my school year so far this year. I was pleased that 97% of the entire 9th grade was able to go. Students first participated in small group discussions of the movie in circles led by the 9th grade teachers. Students then loaded up on the buses for the theater. There was a total of 134 of us, and 136 seats in the auditorium. We literally took over one entire movie screening theater! The kids loved that, plus the snack pack of goodies, as usual!

For me the highlight of the trip was at the end. While the credits were rolling the Dean of students came to the front of the theater. She read out the name of African-Americans who have been shot and killed by the police and asked students to say back their names. They did, and they shouted them, some of them with fists in the air. Some students, teachers, and myself teared up. It was such an empowering moment, that made all the challenging logistics worth it.

As an African-American History teacher the movie comes up a lot in class discussion. The movie helped students understand the power of racism, stereotypes, identity and more. Students are now more bought into social justice issues, and are frequently sharing their own stories. I appreciate how this experience allowed students to get to know themselves, and the world even more - all while having a good time too. I truly believe positive and powerful experiences like these help students in urban communities grow with the awareness they need to be successful.

Thank you so much for making this trip possible. It would not have happened without your care, support, and donation. Thank you for caring about my students having this experience. Words can't express how much your contribution made to me.”

With gratitude,

Ms. Henry