Continuing a Love of Reading

As a 6th grade public school English and social studies teacher in a low-income community, I have noticed that many students have lacked the resources at home, bookstores in their neighborhood, and access to libraries that will provide them with adequate reading material. In order to foster a stronger understanding of the importance of reading, and its value to my students having a wider variety of books will enable my students opportunities to choose books that interest them.

The 64 sixth grade students that I teach range in reading levels from early third grade to mid seventh grade. At the beginning of the school year, we set a classroom goal that as a class we will each improve our reading levels by two years, will each read at least twenty books, and will build our silent sustained independent reading stamina to at least thirty minutes. Over the course of my two years in education, I have continuously tried to build up our classroom library, but have noticed that certain genres are still lacking, in addition to not having some of the newest and most appealing books. In addition to providing my students with more appealing books, I also would like to provide my students, the vast majority of which are from Hispanic or African descent, with novels about Hispanics and Africans overcoming obstacles, dealing with social issues, and empowering themselves. Class sets of these books will enable students to not only read them, but discuss them, learn from them, and see role models in action.

Adding a rich variety of books on lower reading levels and higher reading levels will enable all students to find a grade appropriate book of interest. Additionally, but using these books to motivate, empower, and engage students, I believe students will become more active and attentive readers. These books will continuously be tied back to our classroom reading goals, and used to reiterate the importance of reading, not just now, but throughout middle school, high school, and college. Each student will be tracking their progress and have the opportunity to read the books in class, and if proven responsible enough, take them home for independent reading there.

By funding these books, you will be making an integral contribution to our classroom. Using these books I hope to foster a greater sense of the importance of reading, and create a broader love of reading. Your support will instill a legacy of learning and reading, and will help each individual student to reach their goals!