Do you remember your first mystery and how you couldn't wait until the solution was presented at the end? I read all the Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, and Bobbsy Twins novels and wanted more.
We are a small neighborhood school with over half our students receiving free or reduced price lunches.
My students love read-alouds and I am out of classroom sets of books. My students are a great mix, ethnically and economically. They love discussing books and a class set allows every one to participate even the students who are receiving extra help in reading or reading at a 1st grade level.
My Project
Chasing Vermeer is a fantastic Mystery about two kids who help to solve a "crime that has left even the FBI baffled." They must use some great problem solving skills and even some old fashioned "gumshoe" detecting. While I have tried to read the book to the class before it was not very successful. The students loved the book but were not able to solve the codes and look for the clues when I only have one copy of the book. The illustrator and the author used many visual clues that my students would enjoy figuring out if they had their own copies to explore.
If I could sit with each of my students and read a book one on one, I would love it.
However, there is not enough time in the day. Many of my students have parents who do not have enough time in the day to sit down and read with them. Their parents are trying to earn enough money for the roof and food. My students love dimming the lights, curling up with pillows and stuffed animals and reading like a family every day.
More than half of students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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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 Ms. Helgeson and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
