Every day in my classroom is an opportunity to broaden horizons. Students in my 7th and 8th grade gifted classes have the opportunity to gain valuable language arts skills but also practice the art of working in a new, and ever-changing technological age. I am teaching them to be leaders and also to take the initiative to control their own learning. They are learning to build their own knowledge base on topics that interest them.
In the adult world, we are responsible for learning and finding our own answers to problems and as my students get ready to enter high school, I want to make sure that they have the skills to guide them in that direction of self learning.
I am working to provide them with the tools they need to create that confidence in self-gained knowledge. From whole-class projects that promote leadership skills, to independent studies that help start facilitating that self learning process, to reading challenging literature that makes them think with their head and their heart, I am utilizing many different types of resources to develop well balanced learners.
My Project
Gifted students are often voracious readers. They can tear through the young adult section of a school library very quickly. Many times these school books cater to high interest, but not always higher level vocabulary and complex sentence structure.
My goal is to show students that classic literature like Robinson Crusoe and The Count of Monte Cristo can be just as exciting as modern lit and can also challenge their thinking.
I want kids to sort through the vocabulary and the older structure of language to dig into the vivid worlds created by classic authors. There is a sense of accomplishment that children experience after reading classic literature. I've seen it happen over and over with other classics like The Call of the Wild and Treasure Island.
The novels that I have chosen all come from a list recommended by Mensa, an organization that recognizes gifted individuals and strives to continue to challenge higher level thinking. Most of the books are award winners or are labeled as classics that all people should read. I want kids to have access to several copies so that they can read in small groups. I also want to be able to read some of these books out loud to the class.
The Bridge of San Luis Rey (Perennial Classics)
• Amazon Business
$11.96
3
$35.88
Enchantress from the Stars
• Amazon Business
$8.46
3
$25.38
Johnny Tremain
• Amazon Business
$7.99
3
$23.97
Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea
• Amazon Business
$7.99
3
$23.97
Island of the Blue Dolphins
• Amazon Business
$7.85
3
$23.55
Frankenstein
• Amazon Business
$7.25
3
$21.75
Jacob Have I Loved
• Amazon Business
$6.99
3
$20.97
A Day No Pigs Would Die
• Amazon Business
$6.99
3
$20.97
The Witch of Blackbird Pond
• Amazon Business
$6.99
3
$20.97
Dragonwings
• Amazon Business
$6.99
3
$20.97
Julie of the Wolves (HarperClassics)
• Amazon Business
$6.98
3
$20.94
Call It Courage
• Amazon Business
$5.99
3
$17.97
The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood
• Amazon Business
$4.95
3
$14.85
The Count of Monte Cristo (Bantam Classics)
• Amazon Business
$4.92
3
$14.76
Robinson Crusoe
• Amazon Business
$3.99
3
$11.97
Dragonwings: An Instructional Guide for Literature - Novel Study Guide for 4th-8th Grade Literature with Close Reading and Writing Activities (Great Works Classroom Resource)
• Amazon Business
$9.99
1
$9.99
Materials cost
$328.86
Vendor shipping charges
FREE
Sales tax
$0.00
3rd party payment processing fee
$4.93
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$363.79
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$64.20
Total project goal
$427.99
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$427.99
9 Donors
-$334.04
Donations toward project cost
-$308.54
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
-$25.50
match offer
-$65.00
Match offer toward project cost
-$55.25
Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
DonorsChoose is the most trusted 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 Mrs. Erdahl and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
