My students need a class set and audio version of the second book in "The Hunger Games" series: "Catching Fire" to read in small literature groups.
FULLY FUNDED! Mrs. Foley's classroom raised $432
This project is fully funded
My Students
Remember the first book that you couldn't put down? Maybe you even read over a school vacation? My 7th grade self-proclaimed non-readers found that book in "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins, book one of a trilogy. They begged me to "let them" read over break! Now they're hungry for book two!
My class consists of a group of underprivileged students from a very rural community in West Virginia.
Most of my students are "partial mastery" or "novice" ranking on our state test, which means, according to No Child Left Behind, that they are not yet on grade level. "The Hunger Games" series is around an 8th grade reading level, so it is a big challenge for them to keep up with the vocabulary, but they have worked very hard. Grades in class came UP while we read the book, even though many would have said it was "too difficult" for this group. Students that had never read a novel were begging me to let them read more than what I had assigned for that night. They have surprised me with their efforts, and I would love for them all to have the opportunity to read the second book. Many of them asked for the rest of the series during the holidays, but no one received it. A number of students have told me that their families cannot afford the book, but they would love to read it.
My Project
"The Hunger Games" phenomenon is spreading throughout our school right now. Many teachers are reading or have read the series, and my students are recommending the series to their friends. I teach 7th grade, but have had 8th graders show up at my door, asking to borrow a copy of the book. The whole series is fast-paced and action-packed, which is why it's such an excellent choice for middle schoolers. The books are set in a small coal mining "district" in the Appalachian mountains, which happens to be where my students live.
If I am able to ascertain these materials, my students would like to read Book 2 in small literature circles, rather than as a whole class as we did with Book 1. That way, they can set their own timeline for reading the book (as "we read too slow" is their complaint from Book 1!). I intend to assign groups assignments throughout, and have them create their own test questions as they read, which makes them feel responsible for what they learn.
I have never experienced a whole class have so much excitement over a book!
Around the halfway point of Book 1, students began to question me about whether we would be "allowed" to read the second book. Without the resources to purchase a book for each student, I haven't been able to answer that question. I would love to have a class set; that way, "The Hunger Games" excitement can continue year after year. Thank you for considering my class, I know every one of them will be so grateful to you.
More than half 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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