"Ms. Bushnell, I see 'the'!" I can't describe the magic and enormity of this moment, and moments like these happen everyday in my classroom. A student, full of excitement, wants to share his 'a-ha!' moment with me, when he sees a sight word that we have been learning this week. Something so simple as a three-letter word, yet so profound for a five-year-old, makes my teaching day so satisfying. I know that I have helped make a connection for my student between what we learn in class and what he sees in a book he loves.
All of a sudden, he sees his beloved book in a very different way: he can now read it by himself thanks to that one skill we have learned together!
My student's identity is transformed. He is now A READER. He knows that from now on he can read by himself and for himself.
He, and student after student in the coming weeks, becomes a voracious reader once they realize that they have literally unlocked the reading code by learning one sight word at a time, one word family at a time, and even one letter at a time. It really is magic!
My Project
The photographs in these National Geographic Kids readers themselves are so captivating that the least interested reader will not be able to wait for literacy center time in order to settle down into one of these wonderful books and start listening to what fascinating animals they will encounter on "Safari!" or learn about cute little pups in "Jump,Pup!", or what colorful fish swim in the ocean right here in Florida in "Swim, Fish!"
I call it magic, because it really is magic, when a Kindergartener gets excited to read a book, and realizes that he or she can actually read a book all by him- or herself.
A student will choose one of these nonfiction readers about a reawakening bear who has been sleeping all winter, or a monkey who swings from branch to branch, or a snake slithering down a rain forest tree, and will be able to find out what happens next.
My Kinders will be able to listen to the CDs by themselves and follow along as the books unfold, learning about animals and recognizing sight words along the way. The key to hooking an early reader who will then be hooked on reading for a lifetime is to: Captivate the Reader! These Nat Geo readers are just the ticket!
More than half of 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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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. Bushnell and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
