“I hate reading”, is something I hear all too often. Many of my students say they hate to read because it is something they struggle with. In order to overcome this hatred, they have to practice. But, no one wants to practice something they hate. To combat these feelings, I have created an independent reading program within my classroom.
Independent reading offers my students the opportunity to practice their reading skills for 15 minutes a day while in class. This is an opportunity that many have never had before. Our school is a large, urban, Title 1 – federal funding for schools with high percentages of students from low-income families – school. As a result, my students don’t own books, don’t know many people who do own books, and have little or no way to obtain books. Sadly, the only time they read is in my classroom.
My independent reading program has been very successful in both raising student reading levels and engaging students in literature. The student, who previously refused to read, now wants a list of books to read over the summer. “I like reading, I can be anyone and go anywhere when I read”, has now been substituted for “I hate reading.”
This coming school year, in continuous efforts to create a college bound environment, I would like to enrich the current independent reading program with the creation of literature circles. In literature circles, small groups of students would read the same book during independent reading, and work together on text based assignments. Class time on Friday would be reserved for students to work within their literature circle. On Fridays, students would have the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions about their book, apply the practices learned that week, and work on special enrichment projects.
This might sound very ambitious, for a 9th grade teacher whose average student comes to her classroom reading two levels before grade level, and maybe it is. But, one thing I’ve learned in teaching is to never underestimate a student. When given engaging materials, meaningful lessons, and a comfortable classroom environment, high quality work will be produced.
Thank you for helping to fulfill my dream, and ultimately allowing my students to achieve theirs.
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 Mrs. Fiore Cardillo and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
