When was the last time you found yourself lost in a great book? Many reluctant readers have the skill but not the desire to read. Exposing my students to exciting literature will drive their engagement and open their minds to the fact that reading can be fun!
I'm extremely fortunate to get the opportunity to work with such amazing students.
They value collaboration, meaningful technology integration, creativity, and being a global citizen. Even though we are in an economically disadvantaged area, you wouldn't know it by the smiles on these kids faces. Many students receive free or reduced lunches and appreciate the opportunity they have to learn. Because we are at a small k-8 school, there is a family feeling on the campus as we watch our students start their learning careers and move on to high school. Our students motivate and inspire each other across the grade levels. There is a sense of pride in the air as you watch the students go about their day trying to be the best that they can.
My Project
Working with 7th and 8th grade students has helped me see the importance of connecting what we are learning with the outside world. Being able to have student lead discussions about an engaging story such as "The Outsiders" will help sharpen reading comprehension skills, develop active listening skills, and foster an environment that allows them to learn how to agree or disagree respectfully while supporting their point of view. This specific book focuses on peer relations and the human need to feel accepted. Discussion opportunities will allow students to reflect on the actions of the dynamic characters, compare and contrast their own peer relationships to those in the story, and connect the concept of social pressures with ones they see in the world around them today. Learning about the affect people have on each other and the different pressures we all face, allows students an opportunity to become more empathetic and understanding of others.
Meaningful learning happens when we capture the engagement of the students by integrating subjects that matter to them.
It may sound over simplified to think that a book about a young boy and his peers could spark change for a person's life, but it is sometimes the smallest things that we do that can make the biggest difference.
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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. Hallinan and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.