My students need 81 high-interest books, ranging from elementary to college reading levels.
$1,001 goal
Hooray! This project is fully funded
Hooray! This project is fully funded
Celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month
This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because
it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.
Many of my students eagerly crowded around the classroom library in the beginning of the year for a glimpse of the wonders of literature that would be available to them. Sadly, that initial interest has long turned into boredom and disappointment. Most of these books are old or not relevant to their lives. My 9th-graders have no interest in this out-dated collection—a scary thought when so much of our college readiness program depends on adequate literacy skills.
Many of my English Language Arts students here in New York enter my urban, high-needs classroom with elementary reading levels. At the same time, other students are at advanced levels and need advanced challenges. Luckily, we mix independent reading time in with our rigorous curriculum of Shakespeare, Sophocles, and Sartre. This independent reading time gives students a chance to explore books that cater to their interests and meet them at an appropriate reading level—one that will stretch them just the right amount, thus ensuring that they are preparing themselves for the more independent learning style that college requires of students.
Our scholars each present one of their favorite independent reading books to their class during weekly “Book Talks”. This engages the class in the reading process and introduces reluctant readers to titles that catch their interest. In addition, avid readers are provided new titles of interest to add to their literary repertoire. Along the way, students complete “Book Bank” sheets to help them keep track of the books they read—a great tool for when they sit down to review for the state exams in the spring. Aside from increasing cultural literacy, these presentations hone speaking skills that help prepare the students for presentations they will make in college and in the work force.
With your help, my readers will have a collection of engaging and well written literature to choose from in order to teach and enrich themselves. Before long, the whole 9th grade will be scampering to be the first at the classroom library again. And we know what that means—boosting those literacy skills that will be so crucial in high school, college, careers, and beyond!
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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 Ms. Mayer and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
