Where are the Science Fiction Books?

Celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month

This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.

I am a proud sixth grade teacher in a wonderful school. I teach language arts and reading to mostly low income Hispanic students. About a year ago, I was lucky enough to receive a generous donation through Donors Choose to start a classroom library for my students. My library contains over 80 books and 25 dictionaries. It is a cozy and private library located in the back of my room in a large open closet. I have filled my library with posters, bean bags, carpets, lamps, and student art work. For the past year I have witnessed how comfortable my students have felt when reading in my library. They enjoy the relaxing time in it and they love the variety of books. My students also like taking care of the library. At times, my coworkers send over a few of their students to read in my library because of its warm and safe atmosphere. I am always reflecting on how I can make my library better and I have decided to once again ask this wonderful organization to donate more books. I am currently taking courses to receive my masters in reading. My professor recently taught me a good lesson. She made me analyze my library and ask myself what kinds of books I was providing for my students. I realized that I was doing a disservice to my students. A lot of my books are award winning and are geared to attract my female students. I also realized that I do not have enough science fiction or series books. Research has been proving that male students like to read science fiction and that most adolescent readers enjoy series books because they get comfortable with the characters. Although I truly believe I have quality literature in my classroom library, I also have to remember that I have to get my students to read any book even if it is not award wining before I get them to read quality literature. I am a firm believer that reading equals power and because I love reading, I hope that my students will learn to love it too. My proposal will help struggling readers pick up and enjoy a book not because they have to, but because they want to.