I teach in a suburban district in Kansas. Our school has an uncharacteristically diverse population of students. I have 20-28 students each year. The start of each school year reminds me of the challenge I have to meet each child's needs. Over time, I've learned that my students are more aware of differences. However, it is my desire to promote a classroom where we celebrate differences in and out of our classroom.
My students deserve to have classroom materials that allow them to see themselves and others in well curated literature.
My Project
Because my students are very diverse, I want my class library to be a reflection of them. Children should be able to see themselves in the books they read. I encourage my reluctant readers by providing as many options for reading as I possibly can. I have a large classroom library including picture and chapter books, magazines, and cabinets of other materials that I share throughout the year that expand our knowledge about various topics. I would like to add more materials to my collection.
Students can quickly relate to difficult subject matter if it comes in the form of an engaging picture book.
I will use these read alouds as a way to engage my students in conversation that promotes understanding and tolerance for those who are different.
For this project, I chose books with themes such as acts of kindness, poverty, self awareness, empathy, recognizing personal strengths and cultural differences. I will be sharing these books with my teammates to reach the entire fourth grade.
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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. Hadley and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
