Students in my classroom start the year as emerging readers with many, if not most, stating they "hate reading," think it's "boring," and have read few to no books in the past year. My classroom library, filled with provocative and popular young adult fiction titles, has 100% of students reading.
In a district in which minority groups represent more than 50 percent of student population, our school is typical.
My high school is proud of its multiculturalism and seeks to honor a diversity on its campus. Yet, as in many American schools, the students (particularly those of racial and ethnic minorities, those living in poverty, and those for whom English is not a primary language) face a low "literacy ceiling" here that not only discourages them from engagement in reading but prevents them from becoming confident learners in all academic areas. Academic success is predicated on reading success. Many of my students, as freshmen, find reading challenging and even have a high degree of antipathy to it. A fundamental reason for their disengagement with reading is that my students just have not had access to a wide variety of books.
My Project
With access to great and fresh titles, students are more likely to engage in books and become motivated readers. With such hot genres as graphic novels, science fiction and social justice, students who are struggling readers will find entrance into the "reading zone" more quickly with increased stamina.
I've selected book sets with compelling titles, such as "Every Day", by David Levithan, and "The Sun is Also a Star", by Nicola Yoon, for my high school book clubs.
In my literacy classes, students spend quality time reading for fluency and comprehension. We read daily and, throughout the year, students enjoy reading in book clubs; they discuss books and write about them. With the average student spending only 3 percent of her or his day reading, it is essential teachers give time for reading and put high-interest books in the hands of young 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 Mr. Wuerth and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.