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 kids are moving up reading levels at an amazing rate. Unfortunately, our classroom library is not growing at the same rate as my children's brains. We need more books!
You probably don't remember learning to read.
You probably don't remember an "aha!" moment where something clicked and the letters on the page made a word, the words made a sentence, and the sentence made a paragraph. Learning to read was probably something that just came naturally to you.
For my students, reading isn't natural for them. It is an everyday struggle. My classroom is a substantially separate self-contained special education room where all of the students have learning or cognitive disabilities. All of them are receiving free or reduced lunch. School is a safe haven for many of them.
The good news is, my students are also some of the most inspiring and amazing children. Despite all of the obstacles in their lives, they want more. I have students who have gained 1.5 years of reading growth in less than a school year. I have students who want to read more.
My Project
These leveled chapter books will be used in various ways. One, they will be used for guided reading with a teacher. Two, they will be used for independent reading in the classroom and at home. Three, they will be used for book studies.
Having books that are both challenging and accessible for their reading level is key. Also, having chapter books for children is rewarding in itself. These books will not go to waste.
Projected prison population rates are based on third grade literacy rates.
This is frightening! This means people are determining if students will go to prison on whether or not they can read in the third grade. I know that is not my children's future. Please help me help them.
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
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. Chalberg and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.