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
On the first day of school I gave my students a basic survey. Out of over sixty kids, only three answered that they love reading. Most of my 9th graders, throughout their education, have not been inspired by the power of literature and have not yet realized the power of becoming a reader and thinker
My students have big dreams.
They tell me that they want to be doctors, lawyers, and engineers. Though their enthusiasm cannot be matched, in terms of skill level, they are not on pace to reach these goals. Their school is focused around preparation for college and careers of the 21st century, so everything we do is intended to be directly related to skills and mindsets needed in the next level of education. Literacy is not just a requirement for every good job, but is also necessary to be a productive, responsible citizen.
My Project
I want my students to realize that, as human beings, we relate to each other through stories. Literature allows us to look at the world through different lenses. Reading needs to be seen as a vehicle to knowledge, truth, and beauty rather than a chore. Graphic novels are high interest, yet still give all of the benefits of a conventional novel. I hope to hook my students with the pictures, and inspire them with a compelling story. For the rest of the year, my students will then be able to recognize the power in storytelling and not give up so easily when we move on to more challenging texts.
I chose Maus specifically because my students have such little understanding of the Holocaust and genocide in general. It not only fits with the theme of my English course, which focuses on the individual's role within society, but provides the context for Night by Elie Wiesel.
My students are, on average, three years behind in terms of reading level.
This set of books could provide them with the opportunity to bridge that gap. By presenting them with a high-interest, inspiring text, I hope to spark their transformation to life-long readers and thinkers.
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. Masciantonio and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.