Building Our Core Literature Classroom Library

My Students

Every day we begin with independent reading to settle ourselves and get ready for the day. Many of my students love to read but many of them don't - it is my hope each year that I can instill a love for literature as this is the basis for all learning. Knowing how to read is the key to all learning.

My students are amazing and are all doing the best they can.

My school is a medium-sized school in a large urban setting. Each year all of my students qualify for free breakfast/lunch. We are a rainbow! There are many nationalities represented in my classroom. With these differences, comes endless opportunities for growth, for learning about each other and understanding there is a world that is beyond "our world". The reality is that my student's parents don't have any money for basic school supplies. Every year, I purchase notebooks, folders, pencils, crayons, etc. My school (like most urban schools) has very little money available as well. Our classroom library is literally falling apart. Many of the books are ripped, missing pages, and older than my students. We have few multiple copies of core literature. Because there are not enough books for each student, students need to share and are unable to bring books home to extend study. I buy books whenever I can...

My Project

Much of our academic day is built around differentiating instruction. Because of varying areas of academic need, students are often grouped accordingly. A cornerstone of our classroom is the idea that we are a "school family". We try to carve out time each day to spend together, not divided into different learning groups. We do this around core literature. While reading groups are working together on different weekly short stories, as a whole class we read one piece of literature (novels) per month. This allows students to work with classmates they may not normally have the opportunity to work with, and it allows us as a WHOLE group to share our ideas around literature - our ideas, thoughts, hopes, and dreams. Reading as a whole class, breaking into various small groups and reading with a partner is done easily when all students are reading the same book. This activity allows students to share their ideas with ALL of their classmates and provides endless learning opportunities.

All learning begins with reading.

We don't have enough copies of core literature for students to bring home books and extend their learning, to share their ideas around books with their parents. This project will make a difference to my students as learners and as people. My students are lovely and should have the same opportunities as students in other more affluent schools. They (and I!) would be so grateful. Funding our project would show my students the power of kindness and generosity!