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 students are great kids and range in age between 15 and 18. The wide majority are from high poverty backgrounds where books are luxuries. Very few of them have books in the home. A lot of my students are very involved in sports, clubs, and they work after school at part-time jobs or babysitting siblings.
Even though my students come from challenging backgrounds, they are hungry to learn.
When asked about their past reading habits, for example, many were nostalgic about elementary school when they were able to read for fun. Almost none of them read outside of school as teenagers. It's almost as if it just has never occurred to them.
My Project
My project will build a library in my tenth grade ELA classroom. While the new state curriculum strips complete novels from my syllabus, I still believe that my students need to read them. While many of my students may not venture into the school library, I believe that they will engage with books in a classroom library.
A classroom library sends a message of literacy and a love of reading to the students in my room.
They trust me and they trust that I am providing engaging and interesting books in my library from which to choose.
Research proves that students who read are better writers. They need examples of good literature and engaging material before them at all times!
I do not currently have a classroom library and with this project I hope to establish one. I want all of my students to be able to find something in this library that engages them and encourages them to read and to read often!
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 Mrs. Becker and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
