Help me give my students the gift of reading! Please help me put novels into their hands.
FULLY FUNDED! Mrs. Ortega's classroom raised $529
This project is fully funded
My Students
I am in my 24th year teaching in the NYC Public Schools. This year I am teaching fully remotely 29 fourth grade students. I was a math cluster for 10 years before this one. I have never taught 4th Grade before.
I began the year terrified.
and unsure of where we were headed. These students are amazing. They come from a variety of backgrounds, and are in this class for many different reasons. Yet, every one of them is special. They are my reason to keep going.
They are tired of looking at computers. As a young teacher I used to teach through novels. This year I read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, as well as Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH to them. Seeing how excited it made them gave me an idea. I purchased copies to Matilda to be delivered by our school aides to all of their homes. To see their joy, touching and holding the books was amazing. Some of their families have books and resources. Others have never had a book of their own.
I just purchased the first Harry Potter book for them and want to keep them reading through June!
My Project
Putting books in their hands allows them to read for the pure joy of reading. Working on-screen all day can deter even young eyes from wanting to do one more thing. Letting them hold their own books gives them a sense of connectedness to each other and to the characters. It also allows me to teach key literary concepts in such a way they barely notice they are working! They eagerly await our "novel time" each day, and many have told me it is their favorite part of all we do!
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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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. Ortega and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
