Nearly all students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education.
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The project I am asking for funding for is to purchase picture books for my classroom library. I want to update my library to represent the diversity of my students. I want them to see themselves ("mirrors") and develop empathy learning about others from various ethnic backgrounds, special circumstances, gender identity, and cultures ("windows.") My class library is full of large baskets of books, but I think 70% of what I have is not representative of my students. It is important for them to see many kinds of people.
I grew up reading Dick and Jane books and a generation later, my own children read Pippi Longstocking and Ramona Quimby books. They enjoyed the stories, but they had a harder time connecting to the characters than I think my own students will have if they have a variety of books with multi-ethnic characters.
I am excited to have read alouds with representation and to get quality books into the hands of my children. There are many titles on the market for teachers and parents to make thoughtful selections. Thank you for the opportunity.
About my class
The project I am asking for funding for is to purchase picture books for my classroom library. I want to update my library to represent the diversity of my students. I want them to see themselves ("mirrors") and develop empathy learning about others from various ethnic backgrounds, special circumstances, gender identity, and cultures ("windows.") My class library is full of large baskets of books, but I think 70% of what I have is not representative of my students. It is important for them to see many kinds of people.
I grew up reading Dick and Jane books and a generation later, my own children read Pippi Longstocking and Ramona Quimby books. They enjoyed the stories, but they had a harder time connecting to the characters than I think my own students will have if they have a variety of books with multi-ethnic characters.
I am excited to have read alouds with representation and to get quality books into the hands of my children. There are many titles on the market for teachers and parents to make thoughtful selections. Thank you for the opportunity.