"I teach library media skills at a middle school for grades 6th through 8th grade in Illinois.
We do not have the money to provide new materials for our graphic reading corner. For some of our students this is the only type of material they are willing to read. So I do not want them to stop reading ...
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"I teach library media skills at a middle school for grades 6th through 8th grade in Illinois.
We do not have the money to provide new materials for our graphic reading corner. For some of our students this is the only type of material they are willing to read. So I do not want them to stop reading now that they have discovered they like pleasure reading!
We need to add new titles to our collection to keep our reluctant readers coming back for more material. We want our students to improve their reading quality enough that they will eventually begin reading more difficult materials. Until then, we want to keep them hooked on reading by supplying more graphic novels. We have included classic graphic novels in our collection as a way to begin interest in more difficult novels in the regular fiction section of the library.
Your help will enable my students to continue reading and continue improving their reading abilities. There is a lifetime benefit for the students who become good readers and their communities.
My students need 50+ graphic novels, including a No Fear Shakespeare version of "Romeo and Juliet" and titles from the "Bone Series" and "Geronimo Stilton Series".
See Ms. R.'s class participating in this project!
(Enlarge photos)
Oct 29, 2009
Dear Champaign Urbana Schools Foundation, Kristi, Julie, Michael, Andrea, Elissa & Nate, Brian, Colleen, Heather, Em and Lis,
Thank you for your support of our school literacy program. Our students love the graphic novels and can't wait to check out the new titles to read. They are so excited about this! As the students return the books they often smile and tell me with pride that they have just finished a new graphic novel and are ready for the next one. I know we are making a difference with these graphic novels with our reluctant reader group and a lot of other readers also.
Our goal is to support literacy in the school. Purchasing materials the students really want to read is an easy way to encourage the students to read for pleasure. As our students improve their reading skills and vocabularies I am sure they will easily progress into the more difficult novels in due time. I know we are also instilling a joy of reading and an interest in an activity -- reading -- that might never have occurred to them if they had to begin reading with a full text novel.
Your gift is one that will keep on giving to these middle schoolers for the rest of their lives in terms of their reading confidence and the knowledge that they can read and enjoy it at the same time. You all did a good thing. Thank you again. :-).
With gratitude, Ms. R.
Ms. R. sent this note after the project was fully funded:
Oct 13, 2009
Dear Champaign Urbana Schools Foundation, Kristi, Julie, Michael, Andrea, Elissa & Nate, Brian, Colleen, Heather, Em and Lis,
I cannot begin to express my excitement that our graphic novel project has been funded thanks to all of you. It is great to see that you share my vision for motivating students to read by supplying materials they want to read.
The graphic novels that you have funded will enable students to grow and develop their reading skills even more this year. And, of course, their literacy skills will serve them for a lifetime. In addition, I will be able to share and discuss this new genre in literature with more of the students. The graphic novels are catching on like wildfire here!
Thank you so much. I can't wait to get these new books into the eager hands of our students.
Reviewed the project essay and sent follow-up questions if needed.
Grace Y. (volunteer)
on Aug 20, 2009
Verified the cost of the requested books and posted this project.
Ryan G. (associate)
on Aug 21, 2009
"The Champaign Urbana Schools Foundation is helping half-fund projects submitted by public school teachers in Champaign and Urbana, Illinois. Learn more about the foundation at http://cuschoolsfoundation.org"
"Thank you for supporting our grant request for reading materials for our students. The graphic novels are so attractive. They entice students, who would not read otherwise, to read and enjoy it."
"My husband and I gave to this project because we believe that a love of reading can help kids grow into knowledgeable, well-rounded adults, and also, comic books are awesome."
"We appreciate your donation to our graphic novel reading project more that we can express. It means alot to our students to have this type of material in our library. Thank you."
The teacher Ms. R.
on Oct 5, 2009
""We appreciate your donation to our graphic novel reading project more that we can express. It means alot to our students to have this type of material in our library. Thank you.""
The teacher Ms. R.
on Oct 5, 2009
"Thank you Lis for giving to our project. We appreciate your thoughtfulness more than we can express."
The teacher Ms. R.
on Oct 5, 2009
"My son has the privilege of attending a well funded public school. Every child should have the advantages he has."
"Thank you for caring about the needs of our deserving students. We all appreciate your kindness more than we can express here."
The teacher Ms. R.
on Oct 7, 2009
"Thank you for giving to the needs of our deserving middle school students. We appreciate this more than we can express."
The teacher Ms. R.
on Oct 7, 2009
"Em, thank you for giving to our project. We appreciate you very much for your support of our wonderful students."
The teacher Ms. R.
on Oct 7, 2009
"I love comics and graphic novels (and fiction and non fiction and kids books and YA etc, etc). Reading is reading and don't ever let anyone tell you different!"
"Thank you Kristi. I agree with your comment. Reading is reading! Our students are so lucky to have people like you supporting our school."
The teacher Ms. R.
on Oct 8, 2009
"I gave because I remember reading illustrated versions of the classics as a kid and because of a new-found appreciation of the graphic novel in its own right."
""Thank you to all of the wonderful donors who gave to our project. It is so kind of you to give to the needs of students you do not even know. If you could see our kids you would be so proud of them. They love to read graphic novels. And I believe this will translate into a more general love of reading in later years. Again thank you for your kindness and concern for our students.""
The teacher Ms. R.
on Oct 13, 2009
"Michael thank you for your strong commitment to literacy. That is a great attitude to have and I appreciate your donation to our deserving students."
The teacher Ms. R.
on Oct 13, 2009
"Heather thank you for your support of our graphic novel project. I am glad to hear of your strong beliefs in environment scienc eeducation."
The teacher Ms. R.
on Oct 13, 2009
"Julie, Thank you for your support of our wonderful students. We are so thankful you want to help our students continue reading graphic novels and developing their reading skills."
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Grace Y. (volunteer)
on Aug 20, 2009
