My students need 40 copies of Kindred for a class set of a riveting book that will hopefully spark some interest for reluctant readers. This may be the first time they get to read for fun!
I have a group of amazing, first generation college applicants who are ready to take their dreams and make them reality! This year we are looking for ways to develop a lifelong love of reading and expand our vocabulary so that we are ready for the SAT and college level composition classes. My students struggle with a lot of outside responsibilities and face many challenges that should not be put on the shoulders of teenagers. As a result, many students never have the time to develop a love of reading and just don't understand why some people read for pleasure, which is one of the most natural ways to acquire vocabulary and grammar skills. After having many conversations with my students I've come to realize that it's not apathy or hardheadedness that keeps them from reading, but a lack of material that engages them and makes them want to pursue reading at a higher level.
My Project
Students are constantly bombarded with required texts that are old, unrelatable, irrelevant or so far above their reading level that they cannot even begin to feel excited by reading. I want my students to feel as passionate about reading as I do, but between testing, curriculum requirements, and low funding, there is never any time for students to learn that reading can be enjoyable.
Studies have shown that reading can help students acquire vocabulary and learn grammar far better than teaching the same skills in isolation.
Without the opportunity to read for pleasure, many students are being robbed of the natural process that helps them develop the skills they will need to be successful in higher education or their chosen careers.
I want to help my three classes of first generation college applicants (current 10th graders) to take their first steps towards a deeper appreciation of reading by giving them the chance to read an engaging, complex book - Kindred - that will be read primarily for fun. I know, I know; school isn't supposed to be fun! Don't worry, because they will be annotating the text and participating in deep discussions that will be so engaging they won't even notice they are learning!
More than half of students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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