Our school is a community of almost 800 students of diverse cultures, backgrounds, and academic strengths. We pride ourselves on creating an environment where everyone feels a sense of belonging and purpose. Our mission here is Be Here, Be You, Belong and this is something that we embed into our day-to-day routines.
First grade is a pivotal year in reading development and students are eager to learn how to read.
When they learn how to decode a simple word or summarize a story for the first time, students feel pride and accomplishment. Reading and being read to, connects students to not only their peers but the world around them.
I want to continue to empower and ignite the love of reading that I share with my students. It is what makes my job rewarding.
My Project
Think back to when you were in first grade. What’s something you have a fond memory of? Like myself, it’s probably unlocking the code to reading! There’s nothing more exciting to a 6-year-old than being able to read a book to someone for the first time! Teaching students how to read is rewarding, but it can also be challenging when you do not have the proper tools at your hands. Having a variety of engaging texts at students’ instructional reading levels is necessary when teaching reading.
Oftentimes, students cannot access the leveled texts they need because supply is low or limited in the classroom, their families cannot afford quality books, or language barriers make it difficult for some families to carry learning over from school to the home.
Last year during the pandemic I saw the need to create equal opportunities for ALL of my students to learn to read from home. I purchased digital/electronic books out of pocket and was able to provide virtual guided reading instruction and interaction with books. Although electronic books served a purpose last year, it is developmentally appropriate for beginning readers to have a tangible book in front of them. Is there anything better than sitting in a comfortable spot with a good book in your hand?
Additional leveled guided reading books would serve many purposes such as:
-Make quality books available to ALL students, regardless of culture, socio-economic or academic differences
-Empower students with the building blocks to succeed in reaching their reading goals
-Provide engaging books to excite students about reading
-Support students at their developmental stage of reading
-Include families in supporting their children as readers with paper texts brought back and forth from school to home
-Use as an intervention resource for struggling readers in other grade levels
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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. Grossman and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.