Help me give my students books that will help develop a love of reading, be an entry way to an interest in scientific topics (with titles like Cells at Work!) and be a gateway to other reading formats.
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
As a new teacher-librarian at my site, starting after the students returned to school post-pandemic, it has been an amazing adventure to open the library and really build a space that serves the diverse needs of the school community. Part of this has been making the space feel welcome to our diverse school community.
Our school serves students from a number of different backgrounds, with about half of the population of the school qualifying for free and reduced lunch.
Our population includes new immigrants, a significant amount of students where English is their second language, a multitude of various ethnicities represented, as well as a significant number of special education students. A diverse student body base is a joy to work with and has pushed me to match the diversity with varied library programming and services.
In this role so far, I have seen how the library for the students I serve is a place where imagination blooms. Students come to the space knowing it is a trusted and safe space on campus. This project focuses on ways to grow our literacy efforts by making sure the library has books that meet the needs of each of these varied populations.
My Project
This project focuses on ways to make sure that approaches towards literacy initiatives serve to meet students where they are at, which becomes increasingly important in light of the learning loss that happened during the worst of the pandemic. This projects focus on literacy and science was a targeted approach to attract reluctant readers, readers where english is their second language, students not quite at grade level and/or students with potential learning difficulties. Through a focus on expanding the formats of titles we hold in the library, we are able to address the needs of a variety of learners.
Despite our small selection of manga and graphic novels at our school, the students are constantly clamoring to read or reread the next volume.
However, because of the size, they quickly stagnate and I would love to provide them with more options to both decrease wait times and to extend their reading possibilities.
The specific expression for more science fiction titles and titles with a science background that I am constantly hearing through informal reader's advisory motivated this post. My goal for the library is that student choice reigns supreme, so that when they come in the library they feel heard, and leave with a book in hand that will promote learning growth because it supports their previously expressed interests.
Also of note, mangas are brilliant in their abilities to reach learners at all reading stages. They serve to benefit growth in students with higher reading scores because the multimedia formats require higher critical thinking skills to comprehend different elements of the story.
Thank you for considering donating to this project.
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. Veal and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
