“You can’t do it. YET!” Instilling a growth mindset in the classroom is empowering for young learners. Students remind each other that maybe you can’t do it yet, but with practice, you will be able to. As you walk through my classroom you may hear, “My brain is getting stronger.” When we make mistakes our brain gets stronger and grows. It’s amazing how students will try anything in my class without fear of failure.
Students challenging themselves and peers, taking risks, and persevering is exciting to observe as an educator.
Our Title I school provides breakfast and lunch for every student, which means less food insecurities and more learning. The class is structured so the schedule is predictable yet flexible. Students understand they get what they need to be successful and that doesn’t always mean they get the same things. My first graders are confident, kind problem solvers, and are happy to come to school each day.
My Project
Each student learns in different ways, and personalized learning is key in today’s classrooms. Activities in my classroom are differentiated to promote growth for all learners. I encourage my students to become independent thinkers and problem solve when the situation arises. “A Taste for Books” will do just that, personalized learning while presenting materials in a creative atmosphere.
When children are able to make their own choices in reading for pleasure, they develop strong vocabularies, become better writers, have better problem-solving skills, and view the world around them in diverse ways.
This project will allow my students to “taste” many books and find a series that excites them. The classroom will be transformed into a restaurant setting with me, the teacher, as the chef. Students will be seated at a table with a menu of books. Students will have a chance to sample books at that table and move on to the next table. They will comment on what they liked or didn’t like both verbally to adult helpers and by writing. By sampling many types of early chapter books, children will find books that they are excited to read. All the books for this project are part of a series. My hope is that a student will take home a book, love it, and want to continue the series. The series are available through the school and public libraries. Hence, creating a love of reading and an eagerness to “sample’ other books.
My students and I thank you for granting new books in the classroom and at home and helping us build a love of reading.
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. Moll and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
