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
My students are incredible young people with brilliant minds. I work in an urban environment that has not typically been able to put the needs of the children as a high priority. Our school is located amongst a food desert, meaning it is difficult for students to find nutritious and available food due to the lack of grocery stores and health awareness amongst the community. Many students live in government housing and are functioning below reading level.
Despite the adversity they face on a regular, systemic basis, my students are extraordinarily talented with beautiful imaginations and a thirst for knowledge.
They have a voice and have confidence, and are currently learning how to fully utilize the potential they have.
Our school is social justice oriented, and it is our objective as educators is to channel the raw potential that our students have into productive social change. Creating a love for learning is first and foremost our priority, and the children will do the rest.
My Project
I am starting a book club with the students in my classes to develop and instill a love of reading and literature in students that are typically disenfranchised and discouraged by a system that has failed them historically.
After sharing an anecdote of my love of books, and specifically how the Harry Potter series helped me survive a troubling childhood, I was surprised and excited that 50% of my students signed up for a voluntary after school book club.
I want to gift my children the book series that helped me gain a love for literature despite all odds. They are struggling readers. At 6th grade, many of them are 3-4 grade levels behind. Harry Potter is a beautiful and effective way to introduce them to the wonderful world of literature.
While students are disheartened by the political and economical state they have been born into, they can escape into a world of magic, friendship, and loyalty. With an engaging series like Harry Potter at an appropriate reading level, my students can adopt the love for literature that every parent hopes for in their school aged students. I hope to gift them these books as well as a love for literature and a love for learning.
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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. Aversano and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.