Building Student Awareness Through Critical Literacy
Help me give my students access to a compelling narrative. 20 Copies of Dear Martin, to read, write and build stronger communities.
FULLY FUNDED! Mr. King's classroom raised $210
This project is fully funded
Celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month
This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because
it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.
My Students
My students love to read and are looking for opportunities to develop lasting and meaningful relationships with their teachers and peers outside of the classroom. The majority of students have the benefit of speaking a second language. They all believe that the messages found in books can teach them essential lessons about life all while helping them gain a deeper understanding of themselves and more importantly what they represent. The students that I work with know that their educational experiences have to be connected to a greater purpose and community. All of my students will be, are or have already taken America History and Civics courses.
In speaking with my students, I know that they have been questioning racial identity, the implications of language and citizenship and their rights to adequate economic means.
These critical conversations are often held during lunch periods or after school. My students ages range from 14-20 and each of them share a unique perspective. As a whole they are dedicated to assisting their peers with self identity while still achieving high academic standing. These daily observations encourage me to help them develop a voice.
My Project
I hope to obtain 20 copies of Dear Martin, by Nic Stone to share with students who participate in The Creative Arts and HOPE Clubs. After school meetings about the text will prepare students to ‘speak up and out’ in their classrooms and communities about racial, gender and social injustices. I believe that having access to Dear Martin will enhance my students’ ability to: write critical response papers in their history and English courses, especially as they approach the Civil Rights Era. In addition, colleagues of mine at both private and public high schools in the area have expressed interest in conducting larger conversations about the text which would help all students involved have a greater sense of purpose as they share in meaningful conversation together. I also have been in touch with the author, Nic Stone, and learned that she would be willing to participate in our discussion of Dear Martin.
I believe the community we can build using this text is a game changer and will empower students to closely examine the events and discourse provided in their history courses and lived experiences too.
The goal is to develop student awareness so that they may commit themselves to right action by supporting their school’s social environment through practices of kindness and empathy. Furthermore, students will empower their fellow classmates by exploring how to take action so that their rights to an equitable education and the implementation of a culturally responsive curriculum are supported. Please help me in building community with and for my students.
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 Mr. King and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
