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.
Often, my 9th graders are eating candy and soda for breakfast... Or, it's a bacon-egg-and-cheese (everyday?!) sandwich. In this urban environment, food is quick (at the corner) and cheap (25-cent bag of chips), but it is often not healthy...
I want my students to take better care of themselves and to be more educated consumers. We attend an art & media school, and yet our 9th grade students have not needed to confront the media messages regarding what they put into their bodies. I want them to begin this complex dialogue of messages, choices, and the effect on my student lives.
As part of our next Environmental Science Unit, I'd like to do "reading circles" where each group reads a different book. The books' topics will range from corporate agriculture, genetically modified food, fast food, and obesity in America. Not only will this activity educate my students on what they are putting into their bodies, where it comes from, and how it is related to the rest of the world.... It will also improve their literacy skills and get them ready for the type of non-fiction reading they will need to be prepared to do in college. They will keep a reading log and discuss the books in a type of activity called a "Reading Rotation."
We can't read if we don't have books!!!! Please consider donating to this project. It will help my students have sharper minds and slimmer bodies!
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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 Ms. W. and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.