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
My students are bright and love to read. They look forward to coming to the school library to select books, use technology, work on a maker space activity, or just have a peaceful place to be. I have students who, as soon as they finish their classwork, make a beeline to the library. I love the fact that they see the media center/library in such a positive light.
We are a Title I school, with 94% eligibility for free or reduced-price lunch.
Our population is 94% African American, 4% Hispanic, and 2% other. The vast majority of my students come from economically challenging circumstances; the school library is frequently their only reliable source of reading materials or one of the few calm places in their life. With this in mind, I want to provide the best library experience possible, which includes creating interesting and ever-changing maker spaces.
My Project
I have long wanted to start another book club, in addition, to my Project Lit club. I wanted this one to be a graphic novel book club, because graphic novels can be the great equalizer for reading levels. All levels of readers can read them, helped by the graphics; thus, all levels of readers can feel comfortable in this book club.
Graphic novels are my most frequently requested books - as evidenced by their tattered covers.
Graphic novels often feature kids or animals who do not quite fit in to the big crowd, but yet, they can become super-heroes. Reading graphic novels develops empathy for people/characters different than themselves. If you think about some of the characters...with their scars, loneliness, super powers, tragic circumstances, obstacles... they are quite different than what society expects. The art in graphic novels affords the reader the opportunity to visualize the emotions of the characters and to empathize. The format also allows for examination of social issues and injustice.
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. O'Connor and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
