My 7th grade students are learning to become passionate readers and realizing reading can be fun, entertaining, and a way to escape and recharge. When I was learning to read, the teacher set aside specific novels, maybe four total for the year. My students on the other hand, have an opportunity to choose almost any book they wish to read throughout the year. They have set a goal to read at least 25 books throughout the year, and some even surpass this goal!
My students strive to become passionate readers and devour books of all kinds.
They know where to locate books and always know which book they want to read next. All of the students in our school habitually carry a book with them to every class in case there happens to be some down time to read. Since students are reading a multitude of books, they enthusiastically share about books they have read so others will want to read their book.
My Project
I am looking for twenty new titles and to have four copies of each title to offer my students a larger variety of books in my classroom. With these titles, students will participate in book clubs. In these book clubs they will choose one title to read together, set a reading schedule, hold each other accountable, and discuss important themes and topics from their book. In these book clubs, students are learning from each other by collaborating and are learning to become more independent. For these book clubs to happen, I need multiple copies of each title. These books will also be available for individual use after book clubs have ended.
Giving students choices about what they can read is very powerful, and they will be more motivated to participate in their book clubs.
Having a wide variety of diverse titles to choose from will ensure that all students will select a book they prefer to read, rather than just being assigned to a book that does not seem interesting to them. Some of these books include: “Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus,” “The Thing About Jellyfish,” “Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie,” “Eleven,” and “Ghost.” After students participate in this book club, they will share with the class why the book they chose should be on everyone’s list to read next. As a second-year teacher, I do not have the funds to make this activity possible, and I am also trying to build my classroom library. My students and I thank you in advance for contributing to this project as we continue to grow and learn as passionate readers.
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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. Morgans and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
