We've all been there: reading along with more than 20 other students, as one class reads one book, with the teacher at the front deciding when to stop and selecting the questions to ask. It's the one size fits all classroom. And it doesn't fit for my students!
My diverse group of students do not fit into one box or one category.
They are white, black, Latino, Eastern European, and Native American. They read on grade level, above grade level, and below. But no matter where my students are coming from, they are all hungry to be challenged. They are all hungry for learning experiences that are meaningful to them as individuals. When presented with the right books, they are all hungry to read.
My Project
My Donorschoose project is aimed at creating a challenging, and individualized, learning environment for each and every one of my students. Inspired by the research-based writings of literacy luminaries such as Donna Santman and Harvey Daniels, I am seeking to create leveled independent reading groups that will allow my students to learn in small group settings, custom tailored to their interests and ability levels. In order for those groups to be possible, my students are going to need books ... and lots of them to choose from! My students need books on a variety of different subjects and at a variety of different levels. Each of these books will go into my classroom library and then directly into the hands of students. Students will be reading these books independently, and discussing them in small group environments. Independent reading books will also give students the opportunity to take concepts from whole group instruction and apply them on their own in meaningful ways.
We can all recall the feeling of school feeling distant and impersonal.
We can all recall moments when it's felt too hard, too easy, or too disconnected from what we find important.
As a teacher, I work every day to fight that feeling. These books will make my fight that much more successful!
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 Mr. Slivnick and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.