High school students are only into themselves, right? Tell them what to read and they will not. Give them freedom of choice and let them surprise you. Help unlock, motivate, encourage, and comfort my students through reading and writing.
My students are 10-12 graders in the public school.
Reading and writing hasn't had much of a presence in their lives. School is perceived as a waste of time and many are lost in the reality of their daily lives. It is difficult to show them the possibilities education can provide when obstacles and challenges stand in the way of survival. We read and write about what we know and what we experience. I quickly learned that most of my resistant students have stories that explain why they can't see the point of some of the shared texts books and why they can't see past today let alone a future in college or a career. In talking about life and choices, my students have created a goal to build their reading and writing stamina and to give thought to what it takes to be "college and career ready." They need relatable stories to hook them in and lock them down. We need books to help make sense of the past and understand the present while planning for the future.
My Project
Students are reading by choice for the first time in my classroom and the difference is noticeable. Becoming a reading community has solved many behavior and management issues and it has created a strong community. Our recent goals have most of us picking books off the shelves and reading but a handful of students are having a difficult time finding the right book. I had a student ask me if I had a book about a certain topic and I told her I did not. She told me that she noticed one of her classmates struggling to find the right book and thought that a book about this certain topic would help her become a reader. We are asking for this book and many others today. My students used to never read. They fake read the shared book and now they are reading the shared book and their choice books. Reading and writing has improved as well as engagement and motivation. They are now recommending books to me telling me, "ÃÂÃÂyou gotta read it"
Books can come to life and life can be given through books.
My students are committed to trusting me and trying out "this reading and writing thing"ÃÂÃÂ and I am committed to being a consistent resource for them.
Student interest is necessary to build stamina and I need more resources to build and keep student interest. We need you for our resources.
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