Freshmen are always an interesting group: they enter high school with wide eyes and a seemingly endless supply of bottled-up energy. But for many of them, their enthusiasm drops sharply as the transition proves more difficult than they anticipated. In our rural area, many of the students enter ninth grade with a fourth or fifth-grade reading level. For this reason, I've gradually developed a classroom library of books that are easy to read without being babyish.
Unfortunately, for the past few years, I've been in cramped, crowded classrooms. While the books are there, the students are reluctant to squeeze into the narrow aisle between desks and bookshelves to find something to read!
But next year, I will be moved to a room that is much larger. I can't wait to set up a Reading Parlor! I am envisioning an open area with warm lighting, student art on the walls... and several large, comfortable chairs to encourage students to sit and stay awhile.
I need a few big, comfy chairs that encourage students to curl up and read. Students will work hard to get their assignments completed to my satisfaction so they can be the first to go to the Parlor and get the best seats. But more importantly, the Reading Parlor will be something for them to look forward to. They will see reading as something they "get to" do, instead of something they "have to" do, and eventually they will self-identify as readers.
Research shows that self-selected reading results in more time spent reading and a greater increase in reading comprehension. You can help my students remember how wonderful it is to get lost in a story.
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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. C. and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.