How would like to be a part of helping my amazing fifth graders graduate from college. By providing my students with books that they are excited to read, you will be helping them gain the skills they will need to succeed in college. At Gary Lighthouse Academy, we have high expectations and believe that all of our scholars can graduate from college. At Lighthouse Academy, every homeroom class is named after a College. My homeroom, Hope, carries my own Alma Mater's name.
Everyday my students are working hard to get smart and graduate from college. Before lunch, we have D.E.A.R time. This is when we drop everything and read. Our school has no library and my classroom’s personal library is modest, containing mostly books I have purchased from garage sales.
Recently my students had a class discussion about what books they would like to see in our classroom. We talked about specific books, genres, and authors. After two different writing prompts, a class meeting, and a vote, we compiled a list of first choice books.
My students decided they wanted to read books by Roald Dahl since they loved the Twits so much from our read aloud. They decided they wanted to read books from the Bluford series because they might be easy to relate to, the student body consists of 99% African American students. My students have a pet toad, so they wanted a book about toads. Many of them have seen the Harry Potter movies and are excited to read the books.
My students would be so excited to see not only their first choice books in our library, but to see that they do have a voice in their own education.
This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.
More than half 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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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. V. and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.