You Call This A Library!

My Students: Is that a bookshelf or a filing cabinet? Whatever it is definitely not appropriate for Kindergartners! I once heard it is all about presentation. Although my students want to ...

My Project: As much as I encourage my students to read, they are not exactly excited to go to our classroom library. Our bookshelf is not really a bookshelf at all. I would call it a mix ... more»

My Students: Is that a bookshelf or a filing cabinet? Whatever it is definitely not appropriate for Kindergartners! I once heard it is all about presentation. Although my students want to read our bookshelf makes it less appealing. (I think it scares them!)

In the neighborhoods where my students live they are told the only way to make it out of the inner city is to pick up a ball and become a superstar athlete. Although I am only one teacher I am trying to influence my students to pick up a book instead of a ball. I have nothing against sports - actually I think they are important. However, I want them to understand that being able to read and write can open doors in their futures.

I want my students to walk away knowing that they can achieve anything despite their circumstances. I know for most of them I am the only person in their lives encouraging them to read. I know for most of them school is the only place where they have that opportunity.

My Project: As much as I encourage my students to read, they are not exactly excited to go to our classroom library. Our bookshelf is not really a bookshelf at all. I would call it a mix between file cabinet and a metal monster! I once heard presentation is everything. If someone served you fillet mignon on a trash can lid would you eat it? Of course not! The bookshelf in our classroom is a great example of this. Although my students love to read, our library is less than appealing. If the students had a more appealing library I can guarantee I couldn't pull them away from books! I push reading so hard, it would be great to have a library my students would want to go to!

When my students leave me I want them to share the same passion and love for reading that I do. With a new bookshelf to house our books, every child in my classroom could develop the feelings that I have for reading. Learning to read is my gift to each child I am blessed to teach. It is something that no one can take from them. It is a gift they can give to others. It is the key to making their futures are as bright and beautiful as possible. You can help me give this gift with a new bookshelf. hide»