My students need a high-quality classroom library for 'just right' reading and interactive read-alouds from books which scaffold their understanding and increase engagement like those by Stuart J. Murphy, Mo Willems, and Michael Rahl.
FULLY FUNDED! Mrs. Waltz's classroom raised $440
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.
My Students
Mark Twain Elementary students are learners in Title 1 school in Carson City, Nevada. Because over 80% of student population qualifies for free/reduced lunch, our school provides free breakfast and lunch to students. Most students come from a low socioeconomic households and it's not uncommon for each classroom to have at least few students to qualify for McKinney-Vento services for individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. Many of our students' families can not provide them with extracurricular activities, home libraries, extra school supplies, or personal technological devices.
These students are extremely eager to learn!
These students love read aloud stories, 'just right' books and magazines, hands-on science (STEM/STEAM activities) and real life application (even if that means a virtual field into a rain forest). They are just as eager to build and create with math tools and manipulative as they are with Legos. They are excited to explore and make connections between their new ideas and their world. They are are very in charge of their learning and I hope to provide them tools and materials to improve the quality of it.
My Project
I am requesting high quality literature to use throughout the academic year to enhance math, reading, grammar, writing and mindset instruction . These books are used to allow for literature to reach outside of the 'reading' time and across all subjects. Students and I will use books to activate prior knowledge, review previously taught concepts, build real world connections, model for writing, and to help students develop a life long appreciation for reading.
Interactive read-alouds and repeated access of these books increases engagement and deepens understanding.
The beautiful pictures and interesting stories like "Ten Flashing Fireflies" provide visual memorable real-life connections which in turn makes math personal. The powerful growth messages from books like "What to Do With a Problem" encourage students to be creative and persevere during struggles even if they're constantly bombarded by the idea that some people are just born "smart" or "talented". Books like "A Moment In Time" are models for future authors and give meaning to their narrative writing. We use books every day, in every subject, all day long. I show my students the importance of literacy in their life by modeling as often as possible.
Although quite loved, our current classroom is a used collection of books purchased from thrift stores and local library sales. My school budget is spent on consumable supplies most families can't afford. The books we are requesting are ones borrowed from other teachers' libraries or viewed as read-alouds from the internet. These same books are requested by students again and again during free choice reading or as read-alouds for rewards. Many of my students cannot afford to purchase personal copies and are sad when they are gone.
More than three‑quarters 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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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 Mrs. Waltz and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
