Graphic Novels for Teen Reading Program

My Students

"I hate reading time" is a phrase that I too often hear in my language arts classroom. The problem is that our library needs to be more varied so that they can find something they are actually interested in. Graphic novels are guaranteed to hook my reluctant readers during independent reading time.

I teach seventh and eighth grade language arts in a low-income urban school in Missouri.

At the beginning of this year my students read several years below grade level. Even getting them to pick up a book was a battle and they often complained that they "hated" reading. But as the year progresses, many of my reluctant readers discover that reading could actually be fun. We have set very high goals for our class this year. The big goal we are working towards is for every student to grow two full years in their reading score. My students have been working incredibly hard to meet this reading goal. Each week they practice an additional two hours of reading outside of the classroom with an independent novel of their choose. As a result of their hard work and determination, their reading scores have already improved. So far in only 4 months we have already grown one FULL year in reading. The problem, however, is that we are quickly running out of reading material.

My Project

In order to continue making progress toward our big goals, our class is in desperate need of more books to read for our independent reading projects. We all know that the only way to get better at something is by practicing. The problem we are currently facing is that we don't have the materials we need in order to practice. A baseball player can't become better with out a bat and readers can't become better without books! In order to provide a more well-rounded classroom library and grab the attention of all my students, we need graphic novels. These materials engage my low level readers that need help visualizing the text as they read. It will also provide my more advanced readers with additional opportunities to analyze the characters and plot. These books are a guaranteed resource that will encourage my students to find a love of reading.

My students are some of the most motivated and dedicated students I have ever encountered.

They have been working incredibly hard this year to reach their reading goals. Your support of this project will ensure that my students have the resources they need in order to reach their year long reading goals. Without your help it would be impossible for us to have these graphic novels.