Do you pick up a newspaper, magazine, book, or visit a website never thinking what a gift it is to read the words, to learn, to find out what you need to know? Reading was something that many of us don't even remember learning how to do, but my students struggle daily to make sense of print.
I teach kindergarten through Third graders how to read and write at a small Title I elementary school with a 70% poverty index.
I am the last stop for many of these children before they are sent to special education. If they do not make it with me, they are referred. This means that they will not graduate, go to college, and will continue to struggle throughout their lives. Often our students enter school without knowing what a letter is, and most are unprepared for the challenges they face in learning to read. If they are not reading by the time they leave Kindergarten, they continue to fall behind. By Third grade if they are not at grade level, there is very little chance that they ever will be. My students want to learn, but often feel defeated, frustrated, and dumb, often saying things like "I'm the only one who can't do it in my class." One little girl recently told me, "I just wish I was somebody else, it's too hard to be me."
My Project
My intervention program was designed to prevent children from falling through the cracks and help the ones who can catch up meet the demands of the classroom before they get so far behind they can't catch up. Unfortunately, this great program came at the same time our funding was cut dramatically. Our per pupil expenditure has been reduced to the 1996 level. There is no money for copies, paper, ink, and other basic supplies. Many of my students have visual processing problems and need colored materials in order to focus. Others need hands-on materials at their levels, and I have a number of memberships to websites that allow me to tailor my instruction to their needs. However, many of these things must be printed, laminated, or copied and the resources are not there to do that. Funding my grant will help provide my students with the materials that they need to make the most progress and be successful. When they find that they CAN do something, they are more willing to try. We need resources including paper, ink, pockets, and sheet protectors.
My students are hard working and motivated.
They want to learn and be successful, but they have only experienced failure in the classroom because the material is just too difficult for them. By providing the resources for them to learn at their level and move forward at their own pace, you are helping them see that they can do it, just like everyone else they see around them. I never want to hear "it's just too hard to be me" again. Thank you for whatever support you can you can provide.
Nearly all 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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