Leaping Up: Challenges Through Chapter and Graphic Novels
My students need 25+ books (that reflect diversity) at challenge levels to improve literacy skills; examples are I Am Malala;Eleanor and Park, and Wonderstruck.
$466 goal
Hooray! This project is fully funded
Hooray! This project is fully funded
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.
Why do I want these books added to my classroom library? Teenagers tend to do the easiest thing offered. In English classes, that means that they might not choose a book at a level which will help them improve vocabulary and literacy. I want them to feel connected to books that challenge them.
I teach in a neighborhood and school that is mostly Latino, with some Filipino and other groups as well; many of our kids are from immigrant and migrant families, and we have dedicated staff who work to help those families help their students do well in school.
My students are mostly seventh graders, with some 6th and 8th in our wonderful after school program added in. They are creative and many seem to have endless curiosity, and it is a pleasure to watch the excitement as they learn new concepts and skills and get inspired to learn on their own as well.
My Project
Earlier this year, my first project, a set of graphic novels, was funded. I had literal leaping in my class when the kids saw the boxes arrive! These books really encouraged confidence in a lot students with lower reading levels, as well as inspiring some of my higher readers. My own students, and some from other classes, will be reading these books as part of our Accelerated Reader program and at home. This year has been difficult in terms of trying to get my student to push their limits and not do the easiest thing when choosing a reading book. (true for both high and lower level readers) I want them to not just read the easiest book in their suggested levels, but challenge themselves to try books with higher difficulty and vocabulary. I know that they can get more confidence this way as they succeed and push themselves. One way I see to do this is to get more books that reflect themselves, the community around them, and the cultures and history about which they are learning.
Young actress Lupita Nyong'o recently spoke in public about how representation, seeing someone like yourself struggling and succeeding, can make a huge difference, and even save a life.
I want my students to be able to see themselves reflected in the books they read and connect them to a diversity of cultures around them. These books are one way to help them do this, and I hope that more than one student will feel that they can make a connection in literature to something that matters.
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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 Mrs. R. and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.