This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because
it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.
My Students
For six years, the library at our school was shuttered due to severe budget cuts. Now, four years after its re-opening, students rush in on their breaks, eager to check out books. Unfortunately, they are constantly looking to see if the "good books" have been returned because there just aren't enough of those to go around.
My students attend a Title I, inner-city Los Angeles middle school with 620 students, 99% of whom are minorities.
Ninety-one percent of the student body qualifies for free or reduced-price lunches. Nearly a quarter of the students are learning English.
Reading scores are low at our school, but we are on a mission to change that, by giving every kid a chance to find that "one good book" that will hook him or her on reading.
My Project
Most students at our school are reluctant readers and/or emerging English readers. Getting them to pick up a book and read independently is a challenge. Sometimes this is because reading is just hard. And sometimes it is because our school library, which is their primary source for independent reading materials, does not have the type of books they want.
Lately, one of the most common requests had been for more romance books.
Our goal is to add graphic novels with stories about romance, love and relationships to the library collection.
Studies show student reading scores improve the most when they are able to self-select high-interest reading materials. These books contain themes that interest preteens and teenagers. In addition, the graphic format helps students who are learning English access the texts and improve their English skills.
These books will be available to all students in the. They can check out the books for reading time in class or to take home for their own pleasure reading. These books will support our efforts to improve reading scores and promote a love of reading in all of our students.
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
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
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. Schlatter and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
