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Ms. Au's Classroom

  • Manuel F Cunha Intermediate School
  • Half Moon Bay, CA
  • More than a third of students from low‑income households Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more

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Reading is Life

Help me give my students engaging books to grow their love of reading!
Ms. Au
Manuel F Cunha Intermediate School•
Half Moon Bay, CA
  • 2 donors so far
  • $67 still needed
show projects from all time

Past projects 3

  • Multicultural Art through Basket Weaving

    Funded Oct 21, 2022

    This has been such a wonderful project! Students spent three weeks weaving their own baskets that they designed after learning about the role of baskets in Native American culture and history. Weaving is not something any of them had done before so they were curious and excited to try something new. While it was a rough start as it is not easy to teach 8th graders how to weave, this process showed me how dedicated and patient they could be. Some students even took the baskets home to work on them because they wanted to! Many students stated in their reflections that this was their favorite project because it was something utilitarian that they made themselves. Some were going to give them as Christmas presents to family members while others were planning to use them to put jewelry or other knickknacks. We all are so thrilled by the results too!”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Au

  • Compelling Books Featuring People of Color

    Funded Oct 8, 2019

    The Only Road introduces a protagonist as a person of color, an aspect that isn't often the case in most of the books they read in school unfortunately. While Red Glass has a white main character, the issues discussed have a cultural relevancy for my students. I wanted books for my ELD students that would interest and speak to them.

    We started The Only Road as a read aloud. Many of my readers were hooked— they asked questions and made personal connections. It was amazing to hear! For these reluctant readers, they just enjoy listening to someone read to them. I can't wait to hear what they think of the novel as they finish reading it. Then it'll be on to Red Glass!”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Au

  • The Joy of Reading

    Funded Oct 9, 2017

    When one of my students saw the full collection of the 39 Clues series, he let out a big gasp of amazement; another student commented that she had never seen someone get that excited about books! It was just so heartwarming to witness the bright smiles and buzzing excitement of my students as they browsed through the new novels. As an English teacher, this was a big deal!

    Many of my students this year, more than ever, are reluctant readers and struggle to read on their own at home. From this project, we were able to obtain two copies of many of the books requested-- books that are popular and high-interest. As a result, my students can and have paired with a reading buddy for their independent reading. Partners make weekly reading goals together and keep each other accountable about making progress on the books. They also meet up to discuss what they've read which helps with comprehension of the text. We just started this "system" with our new books last week but I am already seeing more of a desire to read and more interest in books from a number of students.

    I have readers who have already finished The One and Only Ivan today, and some who are waiting to read the novel next after hearing rave reviews from their peers who had already read the book. I hear my kids recommending books to their classmates-- Wonder, Tangerine, Hunger Games have been big hits. Students are talking about what they're reading to each other, and that is powerful in their development as independent readers.

    Your generosity has made such a positive impact in my classroom. These books are helping to cultivate a collaborative community of readers! I have felt invigorated knowing that many of my students are discovering that joy in reading.”

    With gratitude,

    Ms. Au

My classroom library consists of books inherited from retired teachers, donated from parents, purchased out-of-pocket from secondhand books sales, etc. Some are classics, many are older books, and a few are more recent favorites. My students are encouraged to take these books home for independent reading, and if they really LOVE the book, they can keep it, particularly if they do not have their own set of books. This diminishes my classroom library somewhat but serves to develop their passion for reading. Many of my long-term English Language Learner students do not read for fun, but in order for them to become proficient at English, they need to read! The novels I am requesting will be used for daily independent reading at home. Our titles include Harry Potter, The Crossover, 39 Clues, Wonder, Falling Over Sideways and more. Each week I ask students to read at least two hours and then write about their reading to practice critical thinking skills. I want to grow my classroom library to include relevant, high-interest books that will capture their attention and make this process easier. I have seen that students who read regularly are more academically successful than their counterparts who are deterred from reading. By offering more high-interest books students are more likely to read. While we have a decent school library open to students, two copies of Malala or five of Wonder for over 700 students simply doesn't suffice. I want them to believe in the power of books and experience the joy of reading.

About my class

My classroom library consists of books inherited from retired teachers, donated from parents, purchased out-of-pocket from secondhand books sales, etc. Some are classics, many are older books, and a few are more recent favorites. My students are encouraged to take these books home for independent reading, and if they really LOVE the book, they can keep it, particularly if they do not have their own set of books. This diminishes my classroom library somewhat but serves to develop their passion for reading. Many of my long-term English Language Learner students do not read for fun, but in order for them to become proficient at English, they need to read! The novels I am requesting will be used for daily independent reading at home. Our titles include Harry Potter, The Crossover, 39 Clues, Wonder, Falling Over Sideways and more. Each week I ask students to read at least two hours and then write about their reading to practice critical thinking skills. I want to grow my classroom library to include relevant, high-interest books that will capture their attention and make this process easier. I have seen that students who read regularly are more academically successful than their counterparts who are deterred from reading. By offering more high-interest books students are more likely to read. While we have a decent school library open to students, two copies of Malala or five of Wonder for over 700 students simply doesn't suffice. I want them to believe in the power of books and experience the joy of reading.

About my class

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