"Becoming addicted to reading in English is the key to my students finding success during this academic year.
I teach an amazing group of 27 curious bilingual 5th grade students in Texas. My students are in the midst of a very challenging school year. They are now in their final year at an elemen...
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"Becoming addicted to reading in English is the key to my students finding success during this academic year.
I teach an amazing group of 27 curious bilingual 5th grade students in Texas. My students are in the midst of a very challenging school year. They are now in their final year at an elementary school where more than 90% of students receive free or reduced lunch, which also means that my bilingual students are in the last year of their transitional bilingual program. Most transitional bilingual programs in our area require students to transition to English in the 3rd or 4th grade, but my students haven’t yet made the switch. Thus, this is the first year they are receiving classroom instruction entirely in English with Spanish being used only for individual remediation. It is challenging enough for my students to make the annual progress required to pass their high stakes exams in the spring and move onto middle school, without also having to achieve a level of English that is sufficient to pass the high stakes test for the first time in English! Adding to this challenge is the fact that there are only enough bilingual students to create one bilingual 5th grade class at my school, which crowds us all into one tiny classroom and separates us from the other monolingual 5th grade students.
During D.E.A.R. (drop everything and read) time, students are permitted to read whatever they want in order to foster a love of reading. Since students get the choice to read in Spanish or English, it is critical that our classroom library tempts them into choosing to read in English.
My students have fallen in love with “Diary of a Wimpy Kid.” Two students brought copies from home to read during our D.E.A.R. time. One of these students brought the books in English the other in Spanish. They did such a great job of recommending the books to their peers that most of the class is signed up on a wait list to borrow the books. I need to get extra copies of the books in English in time to use the demand for this series to get my students to practice reading in English.
When I asked my students if they would read the series in English if it were in our classroom library, they answered with a resounding “Yes!” Please put these great books in my students’ hands today!
My students need 3 copies each of 4 books from the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" series.
See Ms. K.'s class participating in this project!
(Enlarge photos)
Nov 21, 2009
Dear Trisha,
I cannot begin to describe the huge impact that you have made in my students' lives.Having the books that you donated in my classroom has made them so excited about reading.In fact, they were so excited that the students were not allowed to simply pick them up since this would have led to them fighting over the books!Instead, we have a random lottery drawing each time a student finishes one in order to make sure that everyone gets a turn with each book.
Since every student has had a chance to read at least one book in the series, I have begun teaching reading strategies by using examples from the books.The kids are now instantly engaged in these lessons simply because they are excited to be discussing the books. The reading skills they are learning will serve them with any text they decide to read, not just books they read for personal enjoyment.
The tight budgets, with which schools now operate, mean that books like these, that students love, are often not considered a high-priority need.Without your generosity my students would not have had the opportunity to read these books.
With gratitude, Ms. K.
Ms. K. sent this note after the project was fully funded:
Oct 20, 2009
Dear Trisha,
Thank you so much for your contribution to my students' education. These books will make their eyes light up and get them really excited about reading. Just knowing that somebody cares enough to send brand-new books to our classroom will add significantly to our sense of purpose within the classroom.
Lastly, I know these books will make a big impact this year, but they will also remain an important part of my classroom library for years to come. Thank you for making a big difference in my students' lives.
Reviewed the project essay and sent follow-up questions if needed.
Erica S. (volunteer)
on Sep 29, 2009
Verified the cost of the requested books and posted this project.
John C. (associate)
on Oct 1, 2009
"I gave to this project because I want to see Alisha's kids succeed! I know how important this is for her and I know how much she cares for her students! Read away, chicos!"
Beto
from Brookings, SD
gave
on Oct 4, 2009
"I gave to this project because my mother and my Filipino family are all bilingual as well, speaking bother Tagalog and English. The ability to speak two languages opened up a world of opportunities for them, such as giving them the ability to travel to the U.S. and have better-paying jobs than if they were limited to one country because they could only speak one language. When you grow up, speaking two languages fluently can give you the flexibility to do all kinds of things!
I am also giving to this project because Ms. K is a wonderful teacher, and she knows that you should learn as much as you can! :)"
Susanna
from Virginia
gave
on Oct 16, 2009
"Thank you both for donating. I cannot wait to put these books in thier hands and see them smile! I'm also picturing the students next year exploring my classroom library and getting really excited after seeing all of their favorite books."
The teacher Ms. K.
on Oct 16, 2009
"I hope this helps you to continue to inspire your students. "
Trisha
from theodore, AL
gave
on Oct 18, 2009
"The Simmons Foundation gave to
this project because we support education in Houston - please join us!"
The Simmons Foundation
from Houston, TX
gave
on Oct 18, 2009
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Erica S. (volunteer)
on Sep 29, 2009
