As many already know, 4th graders are the best! I am lucky enough to see 100 students every single day. My 4th graders are goofy, sensitive, chatty, intelligent, kind, wonderful, and they are hard workers. My students come to my classroom for grammar instruction and reading. In my classroom, students either get to independently read or work with me in a small reading group.
Our city is THE poorest large city in the United States.
Though we have beautiful prestigious universities, where 1 out of every 6 doctors in the United States has received his or her medical degree, we also have neighborhoods that are in food deserts and filled with poverty and violence.
We open our doors at 7:45. At 7:46, I have students running into my classroom. My students come each and every day ready to learn. They are joyful, respectful, and eager to learn. I am so lucky to be teaching so many wonderful 4th graders.
My Project
Depending on the day, my students either read with me as a guided reading group, or they read their own chosen independent books. In order to motivate my readers, I try to stock my library with as many varied high interest books as possible. Often, when I teach my small guided reading group, I choose a series book so if they like it, they can read the others on the days they have independent reading. One book I chose earlier this year was, "Miss Daisy is Crazy," by Dan Gutman.
After teaching a group on students, "Miss Daisy is Crazy," I noticed more and more students choosing My Weird School books as their independent reading book.
It seems that when students see me teaching my small group, they take the book choice as almost a book suggestion. Suddenly, I was seeing both students in my Guided Reading group and students who don't usually meet with me, reading different My Weird School Books. In addition, I started seeing students who usually were reluctant to read, be excited by this fun series.
I would like my readers to continue to be excited to read these books, so I would like additional books in the series for those that are hooked.
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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