A Reading Journey through Rhyme, Reason, & Conclusions
My students need a class set of The Phantom Tollbooth to build a community of readers with common experiences where we grapple with text and apply what we learn in our independent reading.
I teach in a Title I intermediate school of 500+ students with grades 3-5 that serves a growing city. My fifth graders are naturally inquisitive and energetic learners! They are 10-11 years old and thrive on active learning experiences.
My students range in abilities with some needing a great deal of extra support with reading skills, all the way to students who are reading at high school levels.
My students also run the spectrum of behavioral needs that require engaging activities and materials to keep them excited about learning. My students live in a variety of economic environments ranging from homeless to affluent neighborhoods.
My students come from a variety of cultural backgrounds and truly represent the rainbow of America's melting pot. Because of the varied backgrounds of my students, I try to create learning moments that build community, reflect all cultures, and encourage teamwork skills. Our classroom is a safe place to explore, learn, and make mistakes.
My Project
A class set of the novel, The Phantom Tollbooth, will allow each student to engage in a class read aloud that takes us far beyond listening to a book read aloud. During traditional read aloud, the teacher controls the text and literally holds the text in his or her hands as if it is a treasure students aren’t allowed to see.
A class set of books gives us the opportunity to read together, which helps us grow as readers in a way that is different than when we read in isolation.
We work together to discuss common ideas, characterization, vocabulary, techniques, and themes when we engage in communal reading.
This novel will also serve to engage students to think about the concept of boredom. At any given time, a fifth grader can be found uttering the dreaded words, “I am bored.” or “This is boring.” In this classic tale, for the main character, Milo, everything’s a bore.
When a tollbooth mysteriously appears in his room, he drives through only because he’s got nothing better to do. But on the other side, things seem different. Milo visits the Island of Conclusions (you get there by jumping), learns about time from a ticking watchdog named Tock, and even embarks on a quest to rescue Rhyme and Reason! Somewhere along the way, Milo realizes something astonishing: Life is far from dull. In fact, it’s exciting beyond his wildest dreams.
The Phantom Tollbooth can be a tricky read with loads of idioms, homophones, and fabulous word play —but it's densely packed with wisdom, and gently drives home the value of education.
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
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. Strickland and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
