Our students are thoughtful, caring, enthusiastic, and giving.
During the school closure because of COVID-19, as the librarian, I would "pop in" to class gatherings via Google Meets and Zoom. I was able to get some brand new, low cost books for all students grades K-5 and books for students grades 6-12 that they could order. The meal delivery crew dropped the books off, even to those who didn't get regular deliveries. These are books they get to keep and hopefully build their home libraries.
Our very small school (270 students grades K-12) is one where students learn to be "upstanders" instead of bystanders. They learn to step in and help others when they see someone in need in a variety of situations. Given that our entire school receives free breakfast and lunch, it's amazing how our students come together to support each other and their teachers. They are INCREDIBLE!
My Project
Students love to learn, and I love helping them grow through the joy of reading. Many think about fiction when they hear "joy of reading." I have found that younger students get joy when they can read ANYTHING! I have found that kids are drawn to nonfiction because of pictures of animals, trucks, dinosaurs, etc., but most juvenile nonfiction can be difficult for many K-3 students to read on their own. I find that many of them just look at the pictures. I have been actively seeking early and young reader nonfiction for these students to check out on their own, but I believe having a nonfiction magazine to not only learn from together, but to take home to their families, would be an exciting reading journey for my students.
Every word read is an opportunity for a child to find the JOY of reading.
By using engaging nonfiction specifically created for 1st grade students, teaching text features is a more meaningful activity for students. Students don't automatically understand captions, special print, graphs, etc., and need guided instruction to make sense of nonfiction. Scholastic makes my it easier by including lesson activities, guides, and printables to go with each issue. Scholastic also has nonfiction videos and interactive games students can watch and play to work on their computer literacy as well. The students can also listen to a recording while following along. This has been INVALUABLE in our distance learning adventure.
New/young readers LOVE to read out loud to their classmates and anyone who will listen. Their sense of accomplishment is amazing to see. I would like them to share their joy of reading nonfiction. With this donation, I would have enough magazines for all 1st graders with some extras to give to advanced kindergartners and struggling 2nd graders.
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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 Ms. Lynch and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
