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
Children's author, Emilie Buchwald is quoted saying "Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.â In my profession not enough parents model this philosophy. Ask most of my students where do they see adults read and they will say "at school" not at home.
My students are 9th and 10th graders at a high risk school.
We are just miles outside of the nation's capitol and many of them have never even been to Washington, DC.
Many come from broken homes and their examples of parent modeling is not something they brag about. I am a reading teacher and the quote I mentioned earlier about children being made readers because their parents read strikes a nerve. Many of my students do not have that option so the modeling rests on me. I can get them to read by introducing high interest text but I believe the classics transforms them into life-long readers.
My Project
The books I've selected is an American classic, "Of Mice and Men". The reason I selected this book is because of its length--it is short, and they have enjoyed reading Steinbeck's other novel, "The Pearl". Both novels have themes and subject matter important in society. I want the students to be able to compare themes and have rich discussions about the themes and evaluate which story they like the best.
Getting the students to discuss literature, making connections between the ideas in the novels and the real world and then writing about the literature are skills wrapped into Common Core. I believe using this book would assist in making the skills I need to teach meaningful.
By funding this project, you are providing a platform for my students to see how thoughts, ideas and beliefs in a book intertwine with reality.
In history class, the students are studying US History. Steinbeck writes in an era the students are covering. What a perfect match to see how subject matter overlaps and relates across content.
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 Ms. Hall and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
