My 10th graders need 80+ books to for their choice reading program.
FULLY FUNDED! Mr. Coffey's classroom raised $919
This project is fully funded
My Students
"I like to read, but I hate this book!" How many times have I heard that in my classroom? Now, instead of cramming a book down their throat, they get to choose what they want to read, and it is changing lives! Now they read EVERYDAY, are finishing books left and right, and are hungry for more!
These students are in a 10th grade reading/English program in our city's only majority African American school.
Our poverty level is high, and so is our percentage of special ed. and at risk youth. Plain and simple, many of these kids don't like to read, have not had good experiences with reading, and are below grade level. Oregon law now requires them to pass a reading test to graduate.
Studies have shown that regular reading is more effective than direct instruction when it comes to passing these standardized tests. These kids need high interest books, and they need them yesterday! We started with a very small grant that bought about 60 books and they just need more. Our library is so tiny, and kids are scared to get fines they can't pay. These books are "no-strings-attached." This is a miracle program, already I have over 20 books completed in just 2 and a half weeks. I have never seen kids read like this!
My Project
These kids need books that demand to be read. In a typical "poor school" library, there are some, but most of the books are boring, dated, beat-up, and just plain old. With just a few, new, high interest books, we have gotten these kids reading every day, but they are quickly running out of material. We need more books!
I have researched and reviewed books to create a list that will provide high interest novels that still have literary merit. We are lucky to live in a time when the "Young Adult" genre is booming. However, these books are not the ones traditionally taught in school, and therefore, are in short supply. This program provides exposure for our kids to high interest novels that will get them reading. Once they experience the hook of a good book a few times, they won't ever want to stop, and what more can we hope for?
Students that read regularly perform better across the board in school, are more likely to pass state tests, graduate, and matriculate to college.
Many of our students live in houses where there simply aren't any books, let alone a family tradition of reading. This is their last best chance to become life-long readers.
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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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 Mr. Coffey and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.