This project is part of the Black History Month celebration because it supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of the students are Black.
My Students
My students are in grades K-8 and they are all amazing! Many of them have stuff in their lives outside of school that make it difficult for them to thrive but they are still friendly, enthusiastic, kind friends to each other.
I especially love how my middle school students ask to help when the younger classes visit the library.
For example, I currently have two 8th grade students with learning disabilities who are struggling readers. They have been practicing read-aloud picture books all year and continue to read them to one of the PreK classes. I did not set this up, THEY asked ME if they could do it because they remember when 8th graders read to their class when they were in PreK.
I also encourage students in grade 3 and up to check-out beginner reader and picture books to read to their younger siblings. . .they love it! They will come back with the book and tell me how they read it to their little brother or sister or cousins. We are trying to build a stronger culture of reading in our school and these kids are running with it and spreading the reading joy!
My Project
Our school serves students in grades K-8, but the last time the library was in operation it was a middle school. Over the last two years we have been slowly building up the book collection for our K-4 students. This year we were able to order a good quantity of beginner reader books for the lower grades but all of the shelving in the library is meant for novels and reference style books.
Currently I am displaying the beginner reader books in cardboard boxes that have printed level signs covered in clear packing tape.
This is very frustrating for the kids when they try to browse and there are often arguments over who gets to look at a box next. Having this wooden display shelf would allow me to display all of the titles with the covers facing front and each shelf would be one reading level. This will invite multiple students to browse comfortably at the same time.
These books will also be used by our older students who are struggling readers as well as our Special Education students. Having all of the covers visible will hopefully catch their eye and entice them to do more independent reading.
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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. Cipro and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
