Engaging Reluctant Readers With Culturally-Relevant Books!
Help me give my students culturally-relevant and engaging middle-grade books, including the graphic novel "Yummy: The Last Days of a Southside Shorty" for my most reluctant readers.
FULLY FUNDED! Dr. Preston's classroom raised $394
This project is fully funded
My Students
My students are right in the middle of middle school—7th grade. You probably remember middle school, particularly 7th grade, right? Everything is larger than life and yet constantly boring at the same time. There is always drama going on, and yet not enough excitement.
Seventh grade is the perfect time to get lost in a good book.
In my classes, there are students who are excited to read, students who are reading above and below grade level, and students who are reluctant to read. My students are diverse racially, ethnically, and in terms of socioeconomic status. But all of them like a good story.
My Project
These books will allow students to choose what they read in the next unit. I have seen how relevant books fly off the shelf in the classroom, whereas the required novel often elicits groans. I want my students to have a choice and engage with books about restorative justice.
With these books, my students will be able to choose from a variety of engaging books that will allow them to read independently at their own reading level.
The best way to increase reading ability is to read more, and these books will continue to help my students grow stronger in reading. My students have a wide range of reading levels and need differentiation to help them succeed.
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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