Learning to Love Books through Literature Circles!
My students need multiple copies (mini class sets) of high interest children's books, fiction and non-fiction, to read in small-group, differentiated literature circles.
$1,074 goal
This project expired on February 29, 2012.
This project expired on February 29, 2012.
Celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month
This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because
it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.
My students got a taste of the joy that independent reading can provide last year when I required students to read 1-2 books per term and complete projects on them outside of school. Now my school is integrating a thrilling new program into the curriculum -- students read in groups during class!
My students are middle grade (6th and 8th) lovers of literature and reading -- when they get the chance to read.
Many do not have access to lots of books at home, yet they come to school with the desire to read interesting and exciting material. Caveats: the students love and desire choice over being told what to read, and the students need time set aside daily to read.
My school, in a traditionally low-income neighborhood, pilots programs designed to assist students in raising their test scores. This year we are going a step further and implementing a program that focuses on small group differentiation and increasing reading comprehension.
We now allow choice in the curriculum and we give students time to read and talk about books they will surely grow to love. Alas, while my classroom library has many single copies of books, the nature of small group instruction and learning requires that we have more multiple copies of texts so that the small groups can have more options.
My Project
I asked my students what they most wanted to read. My school has purchased some books the students requested, but resources are finite and my students' desires are boundless!
I am requesting 5-copy sets of books by popular, literary authors such as Lois Lowry, William Shakespeare, Greg Mortenson, Sherman Alexie, Avi, Mike Lupica, Rodman Philbrick, Jacqueline Woodson, and Sharon Draper.
Within lit circles, which are reading groups of 4-5 students, students choose books on their reading levels and at their interests, learn to hold academic conversations about texts, gain an appreciation of reading for fun, and create projects that advertise and promote books to their peers.
Daily, students are given time to read and discuss the books they have chosen - giving choice is HUGE in increasing motivation. They make predictions, ask questions, clarify concepts and vocabulary, and build summarizing skills. These activities help to scaffold and increase their fluency and comprehension.
Donations to this project will make a huge impact by virtue of the fact that we are giving students choices.
Allowing choices shows that we respect students and we love them, and that we are truly interested in their success. By funding my project, you provide books to many more, since we teachers share. Moreover, the increase in student comprehension and motivation will help to create lifelong learners who will be excited and interested in continuing to read avidly for pleasure and knowledge.
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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. Jones and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
