In our classroom, we are about community! After all, these students are our future neighbors, coworkers, and leaders. It is imperative that my students learn and practice what it means to be a respectful, motivated and contributing member of all communities, starting with our classroom.
Our school is located in a more rural part of the school district and so is about 12 miles from the nearest "big city".
More than half of our students receive free and reduced lunch. Most of our students come from low socioeconomic backgrounds as well. While 12 miles doesn't seem especially far, for a family struggling to make ends meet, such a trip can critically impact a family's resources (gas, vehicle maintenance), time (before or after school) and safety (snowy winter conditions). Despite the challenges that many of our students face at home, the excitement and readiness they express when they enter the schoolhouse shows all of us the value they place on education. As a result, I want to do everything possible to make sure that my second graders have access to a diverse array of quality and meaningful learning materials... starting with grade level-appropriate literature. Great books have the potential to enliven and connect with them at a very pivotal time in their education.
My Project
If received, these books will go a long way to enhance our classroom library. Each book will be coded by topic, as well as reading level. To "kick-off" these wonderful gifts, individual students will be matched with a new book (based on interest and reading level) to then read and give a book review of. These book reviews will be presented to the class (via art project, skit, diorama, etc.), typed up and made part of our book review class folder for other students to read and then use to choose a new book.
Students in the second grade are just beginning to express interest in, as well as demonstrate ability for, reading short chapter books. As a result, an "updated" library, consisting of quality and classic literature for this age-group would greatly help students strengthen their comprehension and fluency skills.
Books open doors!
Consider the memorable literature that you remember reading as a child or that a teacher read to you. Those stories, adventures and characters stick with you and perhaps, have inspired you over the years. These are the kinds of experiences that I want my second graders to have when they read. More importantly, I want them to see reading as a way to explore and visit the greater world around us. Many of these kiddos have seen very little beyond our local community!
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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. L. and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.