I teach Earth-Space Science, and I know I can write grants and ask the principal and/or school for help. But I want my students to read 4 specific books this year. For example, I'd like them to read October Sky and Silent Spring for certain. Where is the cheapest source to buy 30-40 books so I can rotate books amongst my classes.
2007-06-24 21:43:02 · 9 answers · asked by doublewidemama 6 in Education & Reference ➔ Teaching
Most all of my students are on reduced lunch, and their parents do not have money to buy books, unfortunately.
Also I cannot require my students to go to the public library. The school library has ordered as many copies of these two books, so there will be extra copies.
If I require 4 books read and have 4 classes, the way I don't have to purchase 120 books of each title at a time, is to have each class on a different book per 9-week quarter. And hopefully most all the copies will come back. I want them reading outside class.
2007-06-25 09:07:41 · update #1
Steal them from the library.
2007-06-24 21:45:43 · answer #1 · answered by Oran 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
If you have a planetarium near you or another organization that supports Earth-Space Science I would contact them and see if they are willing to donate the money for the books. Or ....I don't see why you can't require the books to be read and have the students be responsible for getting them themselves. That is what my high school teachers did. Reserve as many copies as possible at the library and the book store. Then your students can purchase or borrow them. Or..... maybe you can choose 1 book for this upcoming year and you can just purchase that one this school year. And purchase 1 more each year after that until you have all the ones you want. This will spread out the expense and still allow you to use at least 1 book in your classroom right away.
2007-06-25 08:00:03 · answer #2 · answered by Elizabeth L 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you're willing to purchase 50 copies or more, Barnes and Noble has a bulk book purchase discount. They don't quote prices online, but I know that October Sky (for example), in it's mass market paperback format is only $7.99 retail.
The link below takes you to more information on this program, and you have to email them to ask about specific titles, but perhaps this will get you off to a start.
It is a tragedy that you have to come up with the money for that. Why can't the school district come up with the money? It's a cryin' shame.
While you cannot require students to buy their copies of the book, you *could* *ASK* your students' parents to purchase the books. And if they paid full retail price for it after you received a discount, it might be that your purchase of those books might be subsidized enough to make it worth while.
Also, the Cedar Creek Foundation makes grants to teachers like you who want to purchase educational materials but have exhausted other funding sources. If you contact them, they might have grant money available.
2007-06-27 06:43:06 · answer #3 · answered by Scotty Doesnt Know 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One possibility is add the cost of one book to the student fees for your class. Most students will donate their book after reading it. In fact, I have found many in the trash at the end of the year. Another idea is to scour used book stores to accumulate copies. Half-Price Books has several stores in my area, so I visit frequently.
2007-06-27 07:44:58 · answer #4 · answered by Sophia 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I spend my own money on texts that I prefer my students to read, I collect handfuls at at time either from ebay or good 'ol Wal-Mart until I work up a class set. Your list, however, might be a bit pricey. Is it possible to have students donate to the cause and you can just recoop whatever losses you can from them?
2007-06-25 00:15:08 · answer #5 · answered by vubu 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
October Sky by Homer Hickam can be found at
http://www.christianbook.com/
The book by itself, or as a student resource pack.
You have to ask about volume discounts.
They list the book for $5.99.
Another idea is to contact Random House directly, and see if they have discounts for schools.
2007-06-25 03:13:26 · answer #6 · answered by busymom 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Your school librarian may know if they are available in paperback classroom sets from one of her catalogs. In desperation, you could write the publisher and ask for specific copyright pemission to duplicate the text for classroom purpose. Ask a local business or group(maybe your PTA/O) to donate.
2007-06-25 00:38:35 · answer #7 · answered by Pioneer 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your school has a library, try borrowing it. Or else loan it from book stores if loaning is available.
2007-06-24 21:47:52 · answer #8 · answered by Michelic 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://www.donorschoose.org/homepage/main.html
You could get others to fund your project.
2007-06-25 06:00:53 · answer #9 · answered by i_b_winkn_at_u 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋