We have over 470 students in kindergarten through fifth grade. We are a Title I school, with approximately 36% of our students classified as Economically Disadvantaged. In addition, approximately 11% of our school population has been identified with a special education need and about 8% are Limited English Proficient. Our school is made up of about 61% white, 12% black, 11% Hispanic/Latino, 7% Asian, and 9% two or more races. We experience a high amount of mobility throughout the school year.
My Project
In an effort to promote a culture of literacy throughout our school, our principal started giving kids books for their birthday. He recognizes birthdays on the announcements every day and invites students to come and choose a book. He has a bookshelf outside of his office where students get to come and see him and choose any book that they want from the shelf to keep as a birthday present from him.
One of the main goals in our building has been to promote literacy.
Birthday Books have helped to promote that philosophy in a positive way that students are excited about. Many of our students have a limited or non-existent collection of books of their own at home. This allows them to choose a book of their very own that is a gift from our principal. In addition to promoting a love of reading, it has also helped to create a sense of belonging.
I picked a wide range of books, as they are for all students in our school, Kindergarten through fifth grade. I also picked a variety of titles to appeal to all students. I also picked books with a range of reading levels, such as the Orca Young Readers and Orca Echoes. There are enough options so that every student will be able to find a book that they want to read.
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