Remember, as a child, that book you wanted to read because everyone else was? Yet, you couldn't because you weren't reading at that high of a level. Remember struggling to read almost every word that you had no idea what it was you just read?
Every day I work with students who would answer yes to these questions.
I teach in a resource room, or better known as a special education classroom. My day is spent helping struggling readers, grades K-5, become better readers. Many students with whom I work believe they are not readers, but that is not true. If a student can sound out a word or read the smallest sight word, they can read. Other students hunger to become better readers and strive against all odds to increase just one more reading level at a time.
My school surrounds these students with lots of support from caring teachers and staff. Many students at my school live in poverty and do not have access to books at home or if there are books, no one may be available to help read to them.
My Project
With the read-along books provided through this grant, a small group of students will sit in a semi-circle around the listening station while quietly holding a book in their lap or sharing one with a partner. The students will be listening while reading along in their books. After the book or chapter is done, the students will discuss with each other the events that just happened or facts they just learned. The students will then write a summary or answer a question in their reading logs to show how well they comprehended the book or chapter.
The listening center tends to be a bit of 'down time' for struggling readers because they don't have to strive to read almost every word AND try to comprehend the passage. Students can listen to a story with ease, even one way above their reading level, and work more on the comprehension and joy of reading a book.
I do have some read-along books in my classroom, but they're older and as many students work with me grades K-5, they have already listened to them multiple times.
After receiving these new books, I believe students will have a renewed excitement to go to the listening center to discover what knew knowledge or adventure awaits them. Thus, students will be increasing their listening comprehension skills all while enjoying themselves.
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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. Marmolejos and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
