This project is part of the Black History Month celebration because it supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of the students are Black.
My Students
Reading classic literature provides students with a timeless glimpse of different societies, time periods, beliefs, and values. Through literature students can immerse themselves in experiences that show the depth of human nature at any time, in any culture, and through diverse lenses.
My students come from very diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.
Their diversity does not separate them, but makes them truly unique. 50% of the student population receives free and reduced lunch, so many of my kids do not have the means to purchase books. So, exposure to the classic themes and adventures found in literature is limited to their educational experience. Once they are exposed to the story lines, the characters, and the circumstances/obstacles the characters encounter, a connection to the past is established in a way they could never imagine.
My Project
Our supply of novels has slowly dwindled. There are so few copies of classic novels, students have to share class copies, eliminating the option to allow students to take novels home. Many teachers have had to resort to showing the movie version of classic novels because the books are no longer available. The love of books has diminished as technology has exploded, so in order to allow students to appreciate literature I have to find creative ways for them to immerse themselves in a limited number of books. There are few sights that are more inspiring than watching a child read. Kids can leave the world behind for a brief time and view a world that they may never experience first hand. It is very rewarding when students say, "I didn't think I would like this book, but it was really good." That statement is where passion for reading begins.
With funding students will once again have the opportunity to independently read classic novels at home.
They will be able to read at their own pace; struggling readers will not lose interest because they feel like they are holding the rest of the class back. Experienced readers will not become bored as they wait for others to catch up. Teachers can differentiate, allowing students to be in control of their own learning. Hopefully students will be able to experience the "art of reading".
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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 Ms. Simmons and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.