The more you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go. - Dr. Seuss
Books help students develop language skills in a world where the Internet makes reading a part of our daily lives. Reading opens doors to information about any subject on earth, about people and places, and offers the chance to live vicariously, with no negative consequences. Read more, experience more!
The rural middle school where I teach is on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay.
My middle school serves all the students in the district. Seventy-seven percent of our students qualify for free or reduce-priced lunches. Many have limited background knowledge and experiences. Unemployment is high and opportunity is low. School, for some, is the only dependable source of food, relationships, and structure they have in their young lives. I wish for the students at my school to see beyond the geographic and socioeconomic areas in which they live, and imagine the possibilities that are out there waiting for them. Immersing themselves in literature is one way to do this.
My Project
As a media specialist, I've been able to maintain a well-stocked library with a wide selection of books. Time is not written into the daily schedule for students to visit the library. They must come during lunch or before or after school. Occasionally students come when they've completed their work in regular classrooms. During the 2012-2013 school year 17% of students checked out four or more books during school year. This year my goal is for 80% of students to check out four or more books.
The students need motivation to checkout and read the books. Through the Reading Frenzy! program students will receive a raffle ticket each time they return a book they have read, along with a short activity printed on a bookmark. Each semester a ticket will be drawn and that student will receive a Kindle Fire. Motivating students to read independently will have a positive impact on student achievement, broaden their horizons, and introduce them to a whole world of possibilities.
The benefits the students at my school will experience because they are reading will impact all areas of their lives.
The books are in the media center. Let's motivate the students to get the books in their hands! The students just need to be motivated. By donating to the Reading Frenzy! project you will help to motivate students to read. Your support will create avid readers who reads because it has become a pleasure!
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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. South and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.