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.
My Students
Our school is located in one of the most diverse zip codes in the country and my students come from many different cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. My students have a wide range of needs as readers as well. I have students reading from a kindergarten to a seventh grade level in one class.
Many of my students entered my class with strong negative feelings towards reading.
After years of not being able to select their own books and read stories they were passionate about, my students did not see themselves as readers. On the first day of school, my students eagerly exclaimed, "You mean we can read any of the books in the class library?" as they explored their new shelves of books. The few graphic novels in my library were quickly discovered and students huddled together to share the stories.
My Project
For students in fifth grade reading below grade level, looking through books in the library can feel intimidating. The books at their grade level are simply too hard and the books at their reading level are targeted towards younger audiences. These students are left feeling like there aren't books out there for them to read, and as a result they continue to fall behind. Graphic novels provide a perfect entry point for these students to apply high-level reading strategies in a text that is accessible to them. Graphic novels allow students, regardless of reading level, to read books with complex messages and themes. Because graphic novels are so popular, students reading below grade level will not be stigmatized for reading an "easy book" meant for younger grades. They allow all students, regardless of their current reading level, to feel successful reading texts targeted towards their age group.
For students lacking confidence as readers, graphic novels open the door to developing a life-long love of reading.
In a class with such a wide range of reading needs, graphic novels also support the development of a classroom reading community where all readers can talk about the books they've read. Equipping my classroom library with a selection of graphic novels will help all of my students to develop a life-long love of reading!
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
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. Trapp and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
