My students need 30 copies each of novels by Chinua Achebe and Zora Neale Hurston in order to study a more diverse range of authors in their IB literature classes.
This project is part of the Black History Month celebration because it supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of the students are Black.
My Students
We need a more diverse curriculum in IB English literature! My students, who predominantly identify as African-American, have limited access to novels by African and African-American authors. We need your help in expanding our access to a diverse curriculum that reflects our students' identities.
My students are a mix of 11th and 12th graders in the International Baccalaureate program at an urban public high school just outside of Washington, DC.
They are among the most passionate, dedicated and hardest-working students in our school, and as a result of their rigorous studies in IB, they have developed a great deal of skill in literary criticism. They are curious, inquisitive and eager to read and discuss more challenging texts. The school, however, lacks many of the resources necessary to provide them with the materials for academic and personal success.
My Project
Although our student body is predominantly African-American, we have surprisingly limited access to novels by African and African-American authors. The syllabus for IB literature challenges students to develop an awareness and appreciation of societies, cultures and perspectives from all around the world, but our English department's collection of literary texts is skewed heavily toward white European authors. With so few texts by African and African-American authors in our book room, my students very rarely get to see themselves reflected in the curriculum. By assisting us in purchasing copies of "Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe and "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston, you will help my students develop a deeper respect and appreciation for the important literary contributions of Africans and African-Americans throughout history.
Our current curriculum in IB English literature demonstrates little regard for my students' racial and ethnic identities, and they need access to a more diverse range of authors and texts.
Your donations will help my students understand that African and African-American authors are equally as important as their white European counterparts, and by broadening our selection of literary texts, you will help expand my students' knowledge and understanding of the diversity of literature.
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mr. Miller and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.