Patricia Polacco Author Study to get kids Hooked on Reading!
My students need books that captivate their interest and are at their reading level. Having a library stocked with books written by Patricia Polacco will do just that!
This project is part of the Black History Month celebration because it supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of the students are Black.
My Students
In my classroom, kids do a lot of reading. During shared reading they are exposed to grade level texts, during read to self they read at their independent level, and in guided reading groups they read texts at their instructional level. But where are the books that spark their love for reading?
The school where I teach is very hard to describe.
When you see our 'School Report Card,' we are a school that is not achieving in ways our state wants us too. Our test scores aren't that great. But when you walk in the doors, you see a staff that goes above and beyond to help students achieve in anyway possible. Upon closer look, one would see a student population who faces great challenges when they leave school for the day. You would see students of color who live in poverty and may have trauma in their background.
What is also extremely evident is a lack of supplies and books that make our students excited about reading. Our book room has outdated books that are falling apart. Our classroom budget is $250, and that includes everything we might need for the year. (There are no free handouts once supplies dwindle.) I have a class of third graders who are expected to be reading at grade level by the end of the year, but where are the books they love?
My Project
Patricia Polacco is a fascinating story teller. When you read one of her stories, one is immediately captivated. I know this, because I see my kids eyes when I read them her books. The Patricia Polacco books I'm requesting would help me create an author study around this amazing literary genius.
Some of the books requested would be used in shared reading. This is when the class and I read a book together. These texts are expected to be at a third grade reading level, which many Polacco books are. Every student would have a chance to immerse themselves in her magic. We would have discussions around the text as a class. This is extremely beneficial with Patricia Polacco texts, because many of her themes revolve around bullying, cultural heritage, and working through struggles. All students can relate to the characters in her texts in some form or another.
Other texts would be used in a smaller learning setting called guided reading. Each student would have their own copy.
Patricia Polacco books get third graders excited about reading.
Because they are often able to connect to the main character in her texts, they build deep comprehension skills. Giving my students access to texts that captivate their interests, will better able them to catch up to a third grade reading level. Please help my kids find their love for reading!
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
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. Minahan and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
