My scholars come from all over the city of Columbus, the largest urban, public school district in Ohio, to participate in a full-time gifted program. Because of this, they are a very diverse group of amazing children. We work toward maintaining a growth mindset and Habits of a Scholar, such as intellectual risk-taking, perseverance, and looking at topics through multiple perspectives.
These young, passionate gifted learners are innately curious, tech-savvy, and enjoy being able to learn in a variety of ways.
They yearn for a challenge, choices in the learning process, and the opportunity to work at their own individual paces. Because my scholars are problem-solvers by nature, critical thinking skills and problem-solving are a big part of our learning environment. Opportunities for collaboration and hands-on learning provide my scholars with real-world skills.
My Project
Over the course of fall and early winter, our scholars in grades three through five will be challenged to pare down Caldecott Medal contenders published in 2019 through read-aloud experiences. This DonorsChoose.org project will support the final five-week segment of our Caldecott Challenge. Lester Laminack’s 2009 article, “Read Aloud Experiences are Essential in the Development of Readers and Writers,” sums up the importance of this read-aloud project, “Literature in all its many forms has such potential to expand the horizons of every child—regardless of background or baggage, privilege or poverty. When we read aloud to them, we offer them new vistas and new visions.
When we read aloud, we help them realize that no matter who we are, no matter where we live, no matter what we value, no matter how we sound, we are more alike as human beings from the inside out than we are different from the outside in.”
These newly released books will be of high interest to our scholars offering diversity in characters, themes, and genres. Critical thinking skills, which are essential for gifted learners, will be applied through analysis of literature and the Caldecott criteria. Because the criteria pair well with the standards for ELA, this project will increase achievement in the areas of reading and writing. Scholars will support their positions through writing and discussions relating to these books and the Caldecott criteria. The books will then be placed into our school library collection where they will be enjoyed by future scholars.
Our Caldecott Challenge will culminate with an exciting celebration while viewing the live stream of the ALA Awards in late January 2020. While it would be amazing if we were to correctly pick the Caldecott Medal winner, their success will be found in the journey, not the destination.
A Girl Called Genghis Khan: How Maria Toorpakai Wazir Pretended to Be a Boy, Defied the Taliban, and Became a World Famous Squash Player (People Who Shaped Our World)
• Amazon Business
$16.95
1
$16.95
The Roots of Rap: 16 Bars on the 4 Pillars of Hip-Hop
• Amazon Business
$13.37
1
$13.37
Swarm of Bees
• Amazon Business
$12.75
1
$12.75
Mary Wears What She Wants
• Amazon Business
$12.75
1
$12.75
Another
• Amazon Business
$12.75
1
$12.75
I Am a Wolf
• Amazon Business
$12.75
1
$12.75
Carl and the Meaning of Life
• Amazon Business
$12.75
1
$12.75
The Last Peach
• Amazon Business
$12.75
1
$12.75
How to Read a Book
• Amazon Business
$12.32
1
$12.32
Materials cost
$137.13
Vendor shipping charges
FREE
State sales tax
$0.00
3rd party payment processing fee
$2.06
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$169.19
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$29.86
Total project goal
$199.05
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$199.05
3 Donors
-$114.96
Donations toward project cost
-$114.96
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
-$0.00
match offer
-$63.80
Match offer toward project cost
-$54.23
Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
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DonorsChoose is the #1 classroom funding site for teachers.
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. Aitken and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
