With the world being a difficult place for those of any marginalized background, one of the things those of us who are looking to do something can do is donate to those in need. Thousands of teachers each year ask for a little help with seeking supplies for their classrooms via Donors Choose; organizations that do work with at-risk communities like prison populations seek spare change to advocate for and bring literacy to those groups; and nonprofits that provide necessary resources to empower women and people of color are always hoping for a few bucks to make their vital work possible.
Enter: Friday Fund Days.
Book Riot readers have helped fund hundreds of classrooms over the last few years, and we’ll help bring funds to hundreds more. Each Friday, we’ll highlight two classrooms or other literacy-focused, important projects in hopes you’ll help them reach their goals to bring literature, advocacy, and education to others.
Even if you can’t spare money, any social sharing you can offer to the projects each week absolutely helps: you never know who’ll find it and have the means by which to make the project’s fundraising goals reached. More, you’ll bring awareness to the unmet needs in communities around the world, as well as right in your own back yard.
When all else feels hard or hopeless, remember that you can and do make a difference.
THIS WEEK’s Projects
SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS NEED YOUR SUPPORT WITH BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS!, CURREN K-8 SCHOOL, OXNARD, CA. $249
Help me give my students a broad range of books that are not offered in their school library.
My StudentS
My students are amazing! I have 15 students in 7th grade and 13 in 8th grade. They are all in a special education class for study skills and they all mainstream to general education classes too. My students are amazing because they are all progressing in school. They have learning disabilities and although they may be behind in their grade level, each and every one of my students are motivated to improve themselves, both personally and academically. I have some students that have gone from a first grade reading level to a fifth grade reading level in two years because they read non-stop. But they want more books!
This year we have added math and language arts to their special education program which is a fantastic opportunity for them to get more support before entering high school.
My amazing students would greatly benefit from more books in our classroom, which normally would take years to purchase with limited funding.
My Project
All my middle school, low socio-economic, special education students love to read but we have a small school library and they have read most of the books already! We read one hour a day in class either a read aloud, small groups or independent reading. Students are taught story structure, literary elements and then they mind map all their readings to be displayed on our walls.
They are starving for more classroom books to enrich their learning and broaden their horizons.
Your donation will give them this opportunity and in turn our society will benefit from kind, well read and grateful young community members.
LIGHT FOR CHILDREN WITH VISION IMPAIRMENTS, PROVO PEAKS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, PROVO, UT. $135
Help me give my students access to toys and sensory input. The switch activated light, and other light up toys help my students with vision impairments see what they are playing with and get more visual stimulation.
My Students
My students have a wide range of abilities and challenges. I have students that range from kindergarten to 6th grade. My students have a variety of of physical and cognitive disabilities (cerebral palsy, down syndrome, etc.) that make school a little extra challenging for them, but they are just normal kids who crave opportunities to learn and grow.
My students are capable of so much.
They have a few extra stumbling blocks in their way, but I truly believe that with the right tools they can overcome those obstacles.
There are many resources that my students will need to develop their academic, social, and behavioral skills that I don’t have access to. I want to provide them with a positive learning environment equipped with the tools they need to thrive in school.
My Project
There are several students in my class with visual impairments and motor disabilities. It’s difficult for these students to access play time or sensory input that their peers can access independently. The switch activated disco light can help my students access that stimulation independently. That, as well as the other light up toys, will help them realize that they can access play and sensory input without just waiting around for an adult to provide it.
Independence is so important, even for students with disabilities.
These light up toys and sensory toys will help my students develop more independence. Binders, page protectors, and other classroom items will help my students display their work and take pride in the things they create.
Whether you can donate a dollar, donate fifty dollars, or donate a share on social media, you make a difference!