Reading Rockstars Need a Rigorous Reading Lounge

My Students

In my classroom, I have told my students the story of the good wolf and the bad wolf. When they ask, "Which wolf wins Ms. C?", I answer, "The one you feed." My students have blossomed into wolves that are hungry for literature. Please help us feed the good wolf by enhancing their library.

Almost all of my students have been severely impacted by the detriment of Hurricane Katrina, they are an energetic bunch of resilient young people.

Our building is very old, three stories, with no elevator. At times, the air conditioning does not function well, so it can get very hot. Despite these minor challenges, they come here with a positive attitude, always ready to exhibit our values-team & family, constant learning, helping others, and focus on results. This creative group of young minds have started a competitive cross-country team, volleyball team, marching band, and a host of clubs including SGA, ceramics, skateboarding, and drama. They have accomplished these feats with just 150 students. One word: AMAZING

My Project

These resources will provide an array of on-level, inspiring books for my children to choose from. They constantly seek additional reading material, but are unable to attain themselves for a variety of uncontrollable environmental factors. Adding these books to our collection, and the bean-bags will cultivate an environment where they are not only comfortable taking literary journeys, but have a choice on the type of journey they would like to embark on. By building an in-class reading lounge, I can create more accountability for their outside reading logs, because I will be able to build in instructional time for them to dedicate to leisure reading. Additionally, this will build their vocabulary, exposure to different cultures and ideas, and assist them in developing an imperative skill of making text-text connections. The reading lounge will also allow students to become invested in their own literacy, which is directly associated with our big goal of 100% college acceptance!

This project is important for so many reasons.

Yes, it will broaden their choices; yes, it will expand their knowledge; yes, it will place an emphasis on developing a literate, well-rounded individual. But, most importantly, by funding this project, you are showing a group of children that someone out there cares, has hope, and believes in them. Being able to present my kids with this library is the best evidence of something they are not quite yet convinced of. SOMEONE believes in them.