Finding Yourself On The Page: Engagement Through Culturally Responsive Texts
My students need the books "Freak the Mighty," by Rodman Philbrick, and the film adaptation, and "The Boy in the Black Suit," by Jason Reynolds because culturally responsive texts help my students see themselves in literature.
FULLY FUNDED! Mr. Martin's classroom raised $325
This project is fully funded
My Students
The students who attend my school come from almost every walk of life. These students come from very diverse backgrounds and personal experiences that can not be summed up within a single paragraph. Each one of them bring into the classroom their own unique view of the world. Students of every skill set, economic status and learning level are within my classroom and engage with the material on their own level. The school can be classified as a high needs school where resources are limited and those available are stretched thin.
My Project
This year my class is focusing on reading longer texts (novels, novellas, etc.) and analyzing those texts to understand how writers build multiple themes into a work of literature. My students will use these texts to develop their reading stamina and ability to analyze and compare and contrast texts that share similar themes. Similarly, my students will use these materials to see how works of literature can be adapted to other mediums.
More importantly, these books reflect the challenges my students face everyday.
It is frustrating to see my students struggle to engage with texts that are difficult to read and which they find uninteresting because the characters are so vastly different from themselves. These books will help my students to understand that their stories matter, too.
More than three‑quarters 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 Mr. Martin and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
