I work in a middle school in Brooklyn. This new school year will be my second year as a teacher and I will be teaching 8th grade English and Social Studies. I am fortunate to have a large classroom with a lot of windows that allow my students to feel welcome, warm and cozy. One of the things that I learned during my first year of teaching was that teens are not easily motivated to read. I know, as an avid reader myself, that atmosphere plays a large role in whether we will read or not.
Therefore I want to create a classroom where reading is a big role of my English curriculum. I already started buying books that will interest my students, preparing myself with ideas to foster good book discussions and looking to see how I could set up my classroom so students are able to move anywhere in the classroom during independent reading. The bean bag chairs and the bookshelf will attract my students to the wonderful joy of reading. This initial attraction will be supplemented with book discussions, totally requested literature wall, author visits and other activities that will help students associate reading with fun and not book reports.
I want my students to enjoy reading because that could empower them as they continue with their education and boost their self esteem as they get ready to join the real world. By bringing my project to life you are helping the future enjoy something that many adults have left behind and miss - the joy of reading.
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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