My school has about 1400 students, which makes this middle school twice as big as most 6-8 schools. Our students come from all different backgrounds, and we're significantly more diverse than the average California school. As a result of my school's diverse population, my students come with a wide range of skill levels and cultural experiences. As an English teacher, I am continually seeking new ways to engage both struggling and high achieving students in expanding their reading skills. In recent years, the landscape of literature has expanded beyond traditional novels, opening avenues for diverse and engaging formats such as graphic novels and novels in verse.
The integration of graphic novels and novels in verse in my middle school classroom library aligns with the evolving needs of students, promoting literacy skills, and fostering a lifelong love for reading.
The goal of this project is to recognize how graphic novels and novels in verse have a unique ability to captivate and enhance literacy skills among students. Reading is a necessary lifelong skill that will help students in all areas of life, yet some students are hesitant to read. I want to help them on their reading journey by offering them a variety of genres in my classroom library for them to pick from for their independent reading tasks. By embracing diverse literary formats, I aim to create a dynamic and inclusive learning environment that resonates with the diverse interests and learning styles of middle school students.
I'm a firm believer that readers who don't like to read, just haven't found the right book. Please help me in offering my students different genres to help create engaged learners, and hopefully, lifelong readers.
More than a third 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. Julie Fikse and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
