This project is part of the Black History Month celebration because it supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of the students are Black.
My Students
Joyce Carol Oates once said, "Reading is the sole means by which we slip, involuntarily, often helplessly, into another's skin, another's voice, another's soul."
My students desperately need a diverse class library full of books that will inspire, teach, and motivate them!
Next year, I will be an 8th grade Reading teacher in a large 8th through 12th grade college preparatory academy that will serve students from several different communities in Indiana.
Most of my students are receiving free or reduced lunch and are living at or below the poverty line. While many of my scholars are reluctant readers, and some have never read a whole book from cover to cover, I relentlessly work to instill a culture of reading into my classroom. When I do get the chance to provide them with a high-interest book, I am able to watch my students surprise themselves with their excitement and joy for reading. The image of students running up to my desk exclaiming that they have finished a book is one that motivates me to get up each morning. It reminds me of why I work so hard for the future college graduates that I teach.
My Project
Books are a passport to any country in the world. They are an invitation to explore the unknown - a galaxy undiscovered, a universe created by the imagination of a skilled author. Books are time machines with the ability to take readers back to witness famous court cases and military battles, and then forward to stand in awe of what future generations will build. Books are a bridge to understanding, tolerance, and acceptance of others, as well as a weapon against ignorance. With a class library readily available to satisfy the curiosity of my diverse students, I can help inspire the readers in my class to become lifelong learners. Additionally, if I am armed with books that feature characters who have similar backgrounds and face similar challenges to my students, I have the ability to reach the toughest reading critic in the room. Reading about how other people overcome obstacles can help my students make sense of their world, and can inspire them to keep reaching for their goals!
In order to best reach every student in my class, I need the resources to meet their curiosity and interest.
The books I wish to purchase are an assortment of my former students' favorite authors and series. The request also includes books written in Spanish for the ESL students I will be gaining next year as our school expands to serve a new community. If you choose to donate to this project, you will be helping build a library for a classroom that will serve almost 150, 8th grade students!
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 Ms. Parry and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.