Every student has a voice. It is distinct, it is a whisper, it is a shout, it is a prayer, it is a joyful noise, it is a cry. In my English II class in southern rural Mississippi, I encourage my fifteen and sixteen year old students to really access their voice through the novel Speak.
Each year, all English II students are required to read Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. Because of the limited number of books on our campus (15), the students cannot bring the book home, they cannot use it to work on their projects there, and they cannot use it to study or complete enrichment activities. This novel changes students' lives as it tells the story of the coming of age of Melinda, a high school freshman, who was attacked at a party and cannot find a way to express her inner feelings and pain, and I firmly believe that the students should have more access to this novel.
For this increased access, I need more copies of this book. The fifty requested copies will allow each student to have his or her own copy of the novel for the time the class is reading it. If he misses something, he can read it on his own time, and more importantly, if something from the novel really empowers the student or affects him emotionally (as many parts of this novel can,) the student can choose to read and re-read each enlightening part. Speak is a gateway novel. It really makes literature accessible to teens and makes students want to read more and more. In fact, in previous readings of the novel, I have had students ask me, "Please just read right until the bell. Don't stop." To hear this from a student is a complement to just how powerful this novel is. I am a firm believer that if the students will start reading when they are young, they will read well into their futures and promote their own literacy, which can be paramount for their college dreams. This novel also teaches theme, character development, and figurative language, all of which are helpful in both high school and college.
Through the donation of these novels, you will make it possible for my students this year and for years to come to really appreciate, love and form a relationship with the great novel Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. This novel is so powerful ad important to the high school literacy development of students in my class. It truly helps them find their own voice as Melinda finds hers in the novel. I urge you to find it in your heart to help me make this novel more readily accessible to my students and the other students at my school.
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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. Pidgeon and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.