Hey everyone - I know I don’t post much (I’m a chronic lurker) but this is the first place I thought of when trying to figure out my book choices this school year.
Let me back up a bit - I am a first year middle school teacher! I am realizing a lifelong dream/plan to teach and I am very excited! I decided to arrange my year around the question “What does it mean to be Human?” I really want to study Ender’s Game with my 8th graders as part of that exploration. The only problem is we are a very poor school and it is unlikely I will be able to purchase any books to use. About 3 years ago a micro-burst ripped the roof off of the school and the rains destroyed most of our materials. They are in the process of rebuilding but until the building is finished and we are moved out of modulars there is almost no budget for books. So far all I know for sure that I have access to is Holes. The middle school principal thinks there is a class set of The Giver but we couldn’t locate it last week. These kids don’t have parents who take them to the library and it is unlikely that any will be inspired to read if all we have to read is our textbook.
Anyway - does anyone here have any ideas on how to get 55 copies of Enders Game to use in my classroom with my 2 eighth grade classes? I’d like to study it second quarter so I have a little bit of time (shooting for November).
Posted by stilesbn (Member # 11809) on :
Maybe an Indiegogo or GoFundMe campaign?
Posted by stilesbn (Member # 11809) on :
I just checked. It looks like you could get 55 on Amazon for about $5 each. The total for 55 books comes out to $297.92 after tax. Though I have Amazon Prime with free shipping.
It seems like $300 would be an attainable goal for IndieGogo or GoFundMe. But maybe I'm overestimating. I've never actually done anything like this myself.
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
I'd even donate.
Posted by Jake (Member # 206) on :
I would too.
Posted by stilesbn (Member # 11809) on :
As would I. I should have noted that above.
Posted by Scott R (Member # 567) on :
Wendybird--
If you'll send me some contact info (email; school where you work; supervisor/principal name and contact information), I may be able to help out, too.
Posted by Scott R (Member # 567) on :
(Also, you should check the email you have registered with Hatrack. Just saying...)
Posted by Wendybird (Member # 84) on :
Those are some great ideas - I didn’t think about Go Fund Me. I looked at Donor’s Choose which is a good option too. I sent my book list to the principal so hopefully she’ll get back to me with some idea of what, if any, the school can provide. EG and The Outsiders are the most expensive so I am sure I’ll have to do some fundraising for those two.
Scott - Checked my email. Thx.
I’m so excited to be teaching!
Posted by Wendybird (Member # 84) on :
So a very generous person offered to provide the books I need! If you are still interested in helping I can share the other projects when I get them set up. The principal isn’t sure yet which of the other books they school is going to be able to provide (if any) so I know I’ll have a couple that I need to come up with.
Posted by Stephan (Member # 7549) on :
I have had really good luck with Donors Choose.
If you have any students with reading disabilities you might be able to get free ebooks for them through bookshare.org. I have a small self contained classroom and I use it all the time.
Do you sell book through the Scholastic catalogs? It works like the book fair. Individual teachers get credit to buy classroom books.
Posted by millernumber1 (Member # 9894) on :
This thread makes me very happy. Posted by Goody Scrivener (Member # 6742) on :
Me too.
Suggestion, should you choose to use it: when you find out other titles, set up a wish list on Amazon. Then post the link here. We can buy them as gifts from your list and have them shipped to you without you having to disclose an address.
Posted by Boris (Member # 6935) on :
You might try giving Adopt a Classroom a look. I haven't done much research on them, just found them in fact, but seems like they do just what you need.
Posted by Dogbreath (Member # 11879) on :
quote:Originally posted by Goody Scrivener: Me too.
Suggestion, should you choose to use it: when you find out other titles, set up a wish list on Amazon. Then post the link here. We can buy them as gifts from your list and have them shipped to you without you having to disclose an address.
+1 to this idea.
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
Wendy, feel free to contact me as well. I am a middle school English teacher and taught EG last year to my 8th graders. Be aware - some parents will strenuously object to the content and the language in the book (I don't think it's bad, but I had parents up in arms over the word "bastard"),
You my want to ask your principal if you need to do a permission letter or something.
I'd be happy to share any tips or info. Congrats!
Posted by Wendybird (Member # 84) on :
Those are some other great options! I will be sure to let you all know what I set up
Thanks Belle! I don’t anticipate any issues at this particular school. My husband teaches 5th grade there and based on the movies the majority of his class were allowed to watch EG is very tame! Its unfortunate.
Posted by Goody Scrivener (Member # 6742) on :
Wendy, I'm planning on placing an order in the next week. Is there anyone at the school during the day now that can accept the delivery? I don't want to send it too soon.
Posted by Wendybird (Member # 84) on :
There should be. We start back to work on Thursday and school starts next week on the 14th. I know there will be teachers in and out this next week getting classrooms ready. thank you!
Posted by Wendybird (Member # 84) on :
I wasn’t sure if I posted this elsewhere but this is my Amazon wishlist if you prefer to order directly instead of using one of the donation links. Either way be sure that you will be directly helping my classroom and I am very appreciative!!!
Posted by Sala (Member # 8980) on :
I'm so excited for you! Welcome to the teaching world. Thanks for posting your wish list link. I teach 5th grade and while I don't teach Ender's Game, I do have a copy in my class library.
Posted by Sala (Member # 8980) on :
I just tried your wish list link and it didn't take me to a wish list. Posted by Wendybird (Member # 84) on :
Hmm. Maybe I copied the wrong thing. Try this one:
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