My students need fun, engaging books that will help them to fall in love with reading. These books will be earned through reaching their reading and literacy goals.
"There is no substitute for books in the life of a child." May Ellen Chase. Our students are passionate about reading, but many cannot afford to purchase high interest books of their own. We want to provide them with books that they love, in order to help them to become strong, engaged readers.
Our elementary school family is comprised of approximately 350 vibrant, diverse, and passionate students between the ages of three and 10.
Students in our community represent many different countries, languages, and cultures from all over the world. Despite their differences, our culturally and economically diverse community shares one common passion: books.
Although we are a community of voracious readers, many our students do not have the opportunity to practice their reading skills at home. With a poverty level of more than 75%, too many of our students head home to empty bookshelves, with no access to the public library. These students struggle to stay motivated against difficult odds, and do not get to experience the ownership and empowerment that come with independently choosing and enjoying books. Without this critical piece, many fall behind in developing the literacy skills that will help them to be successful throughout their lives.
My Project
To help our students become better readers, the Book It program is coming to our school! Book It has been inspiring students across the country to read and achieve for 30 years, and our students are so excited to reach their literacy goals. Through Book It, students can earn free personal pan pizzas from Pizza Hut just by reading at home; however, we want this program to be about more than just pepperoni and extra cheese.
Increasing literacy and love for reading is the goal, but we feel it should also be the prize. As our students reach their goals, they will be invited to fill out a raffle ticket. At least one winner per grade level will be chosen every month to take home a brand new, highly sought after book. Winners will choose a book from a collection of new, engaging titles that will captivate their attention and make them smile again and again. For our hard working and underprivileged students, one book of their own can make a huge difference.
Our students deserve to own books that they love.
By providing our students with the opportunity to choose a brand new book to take home and keep, you are giving them an incredible gift that is much more than just text. Student choice enhances motivation and produces powerful effects on reading comprehension and achievement. The more our students love to read, the more successful they will become. With your donation, our students can add books to their collection that they will treasure.
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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. FitzHenry and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.