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
My students are struggling readers but they come into my ELA class every day excited to learn. While my 4th and 5th grade students read at a 2nd grade level, I read aloud from an age-appropriate novel every day so they can engage with literature that interests them and stretches their thinking.
My students attend a school in Detroit that last year was rated the lowest performing in the entire state of Michigan.
At home, they have responsibilities and experiences that would terrify many adults. But they come to school every day ready and excited to learn. Their education in past grades has not given them what they needed and my students are all struggling readers. This year they have been transported through the genres of realistic fiction, historical fiction, fantasy, and mystery through texts we have read aloud because they do not have the fluency skills to access it themselves. They have begun to realize the power of literature and are craving more books to improve their reading skills. Many students do not have access to book at home, so the resources we have available in class may be their only life line.
My Project
The leveled reading sets in this project will help my students engage with books at their reading level. My students all read at a 2nd grade level, which is why I have selected leveled sets G-M. Students will use these books daily in guided reading. They will be focusing on building reading skills, improving fluency, and strengthening comprehension. My students have reconnected with the power of books this year, and the leveled sets in this project will help them continue to develop the skills they need to access the literary world on their own.
This project will give my students access to more on-level books.
I have supplied them with daily read alouds that hook their interest in reading with material appropriate for their age. But they can't access that material directly and need significant work on their own reading skills. Providing these materials will help my students grow to be the literate readers that they all strive to be.
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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 Mr. Silver and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.