Money is donated for 9/11 books

By Rhett Everhart

Mr. Cammarata, 10th grade civics teacher, wanted to purchase 9/11 books because he needed enough books for each of his students. He only had 30 books to begin with. Each of his class periods had to share the books and he did not have extra for students to take home.

The book is called the “9/11 Report: A Graphic Adaptation”. This book is exactly what it says, a graphic adaption of the original 9/11 report, which is just like a comic book.

Cammarata received $350 through a Tyrone Renaissance Education Foundation (TREF) grant for 40 new books two years ago but this couldn’t buy all the books he needed.
he needed 80 more books so with the 30 books he already had he could have a grand total of 150 books. So he turned to a website this year where teachers can create grants for all types of class room supplies.

This website is called donorschoose.org and Cammarata found out about a few years ago in a news story on NPR.

According to Cammarata, donorschoose.org is a good way for teachers to get class room materials and it works by having teachers write a proposal and then upload that proposal onto the website. Then it’s just a waiting game to see if any donations are given.

It can be a lot of work though because teachers have to advertise to people on the web that they need money and it takes time to get the information out there that they need donations.

In Cammarata’s case it took him from March 19th through May 26th to raise $988 towards the 9/11 books.

Once all the class room materials that were ordered from the site are used in the classroom it’s required by the website to send a thank you package to the website and the people that donated money.

This is done by sending a letter thanking people and including photos and having students write notes about how they used the materials.

Most of the students in Cammarata’s civics class enjoy reading a graphic novel about 9/11because it’s a unique way to learn about history and it’s a change from a normal novel.

Curtis Warrender, a freshman reading the “9/11 report: A Graphic Adaptation” said, “I think the book is interesting and full of knowledge. I think it’s better than a normal book because it’s more like a comic book but it can be hard to follow.”

Brad Wirtner, a freshmen reading the 9/11 book in civics class said, “I like the book because it takes me to the scene of 9/11 and it’s full of detail.”

Cammarata said, “It’s important to have students read this adaptation of the 9/11 report because every American needs to know about what happened on 9/11.”