I teach eighth grade language arts in a school with nearly 1200 sixth through eighth grade students. My school was devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Most of my students lost their homes, and several are still living in FEMA trailers nearly three years after this horrific event. Many of these students live at or below the poverty level.
My students are reluctant writers and view most assignments with the usual middle school-student disgust and despair. Some students are eager to share their ideas and experiences out loud in class, but refuse to "write" these ideas unless they are given more creative freedom in their assignments.
The blank books will allow students to write a narrative text (autobiography, autobiographical sketch, or short story), and then to decorate/customize the cover of the book to correspond with the contents. Students will be able to complete these books with a narrative project of their choosing prior to the end of the second term thus giving students a first-hand account of the writing process from brainstorming to revising and publishing. Students will be able to take pride in their unique creations hopefully fostering a new found confidence in their ability to create through words. Students will be able to keep these books as memories of their final months in middle school, and each may also use the topic(s) in his/her book in future writing assignments.
Your help will make it possible for my students to find and personalize their voice through writing and illustrations. This personal discovery will also help students understand the importance of writing, no matter the topic, as a means of discovering the inner voice most are yet to find and trust.
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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 Mrs. Feazelle and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.