My students need engaging literature such as The BFG, Dear Mr. Henshaw and Stone Fox to read, to discuss, and to write about in fourth grade. These books will surely start them on the road to enjoying reading!
$448 goal
Hooray! This project is fully funded
Hooray! This project is fully funded
Celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month
This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because
it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.
I just moved back into a fourth grade classroom. This is my first time back in fourth grade in over 10 years. The first thing I noticed is that the school uses a district prescribed reading series. It is a good program, but the children MUST read novels to build stamina and a love of reading.
I have 28 amazing fourth grade students.
They live in one of the toughest neighborhoods in NYC. More than 90% of the students are on free or reduced lunches. You can tell the days of the week by how clean their clothes are. They start the week clean, but by the end of the week you can tell who has worn the same clothes all week. They might not have a lot in terms of material wealth, but I have to say, when they smile at me, or when that "light" goes on when they learn something new, that makes everything worth it.
One thing I love about these students is they still LOVE LEARNING. I am afraid that if all I am able to expose them to is excerpts of good literature, they won't develop the stamina and interest to read entire books. That is my biggest fear.
I am very happy to decorate my room and give them a place that is warm, welcoming, and safe for them to come to each and every day. The entire staff really works hard to make these kids feel enabled.
My Project
I have picked out three books to start the year out that I know the students will love. Dear Mr. Henshaw is a great book to start the year off talking about "different families" and the entire book is written through letters and diary entries, so it is great to launch the Reader's and Writer's Workshop.
Stone Fox is a great story about what family does for each other and really shows off the character traits of being caring, responsible, and persevering.
Finally, The BFG is a magical book to read around the holidays to remind students to not judge a book by its cover and to realize that friends come in all shapes and sizes.
As you can see, I already have the first several months of reading, discussions, projects, and writing ideas already brewing.
Now we just need the books!
This donation will make a difference to my students.
I have picked out high quality, engaging, and grade appropriate books that my students will FALL IN LOVE WITH. My hope for them is that at the end of the year, they will be avid readers who are looking for their next good book. They will be exposed to new authors, new stories, and new ways of thinking about literature. They will look forward to that time each day when I call them to the rug and we get lost in literature!
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