Building Scholarship and Community by Sharing Books.
My students need beautifully written books that expose them to characters who reflect or challenge their thinking and to ideas that transform how they see the world and their place in it.
Our school district is roughly six miles south of Ferguson, Missouri. Most of our middle school students are African American and more than 3/4 qualify for free or reduced price lunches. Our kids want the same things as their peers at more affluent districts: the chance to challenge themselves and the pride of working hard and succeeding.
I need your help to meet the needs of advanced and proficient readers in a school where nearly 90% of the students score at basic or below basic.
The books on this list will be used for book discussions that are open to any interested student, regardless of grade level. Each month, new books are announced and the students read them based on interest and the result is many are falling in love with reading and discussing books. They are exploring new genres and pushing themselves as readers. The catch? I simply don't have enough books to put into the hands of my readers. Your support can make a real, measurable difference in my students' lives.
My Project
Each of our language arts sections has only a few kids who read at an advanced or high-proficient level. These students wanted (and needed!) to read and discuss books in a way that is both challenging and connecting. Because of this, our book discussions were born.
Reading is a highly personal experience that is deepened in community.
Our discussions are growing in popularity as we delve into challenging books and discover characters who share our struggles and the universal themes that unite us in the human experience. Students aren't just making connections. They are building empathy.
With your support, I will have enough books to appeal to a more diverse group of readers. Instead of spending time figuring out how to get books for the kids, I will have time to lead more groups. The success of this campaign means that a child will never be excluded because he or she doesn't have access to a book!
Nearly all students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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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. Cummings and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
