"I write to understand as much as to be understood," author Elie Wiesel said. This year my 8th grade students are learning how to empower themselves and seek justice for their own stories through literacy and writing.
My 90 students attend a school where 83% of their peers receive free or reduced lunch.
Our school is a Title I school, but it is a safe place for our kids to come every day to learn, take risks and grow. We are a brand new school -- 2009-10 was our first school year -- and we're lacking in class novel sets that other schools have had years to collect.
My Project
When I was hired to teach 8th grade language arts, I immediately knew that I wanted my students to read "Night" by Elie Wiesel. I read this book in my 8th grade English class as a student and I remember it being the first book I ever read for school that I connected with. This book made me think, it made me feel, and it stuck with me all these years. I want my students to read this book during our "What's Your Story?" unit where we will explore memoirs, autobiographical pieces and personal narratives. I really want my kids to understand the power of expressing themselves through the written word and how literacy allows them to stand up for themselves and demand their story to be heard. "Night" is the perfect book to inspire honest and open dialog about who we are, justice, good vs. evil and what we believe as individuals and as a society.
As a Title I school, it is unreasonable to expect my students to purchase their own copies of novels this year.
Many of my students are struggling readers who have never had a positive connection with a rich text. I know reading "Night" will inspire my students to look within and be open, vulnerable and honest when telling their stories. And this text will also spark a love of reading for the first time for many of my students.
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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 Ms. Watler and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.