I am a first generation Taiwanese-American and a middle school Language Arts teacher. My love of books emerged when I realized that books can take you outside the realm of your own imagination. I love to read. I want my students to find that love too. I believe exposure to books will do just that.
I work at a low-income public school in Chicago, where unfortunately resources are scarce.
The majority of the students are Black, and there is a small Hispanic population. The school has a large number of first generation students from Ethiopia and Ghana. Being a minority as well, I relate to these students deeply, and I know that the best way to help them is by providing materials to help them learn. These middle schoolers could truly benefit from reading books with characters they could relate to, and issues they may encounter.
My Project
With these resources, the 96 students I service will be able to read novels on their level, making them better readers. It has been proven that students learn better when they are allowed more time to read with others, and with these novels, I will be able to have small groups conduct activities based on their levels. These novels will be of much more interest than the textbooks they are used to because they provide much more depth and insight. I will be pulling vocabulary from these books, as well as teach literary elements such as setting, plot, tone, foreshadowing, symbolism, and author's perspective. I will also focus on themes such as friendship, strife, death, and honor. The books I am requesting are all noteworthy, engaging novels. I promise to make the text meaningful for the students. These novels are middle school must-reads!
By funding this project, my students will be able to read interesting, challenging novels that will definitely change their perspectives.
Using novels is the key to allowing these students to become better readers and better thinkers. Books make such a big difference, and I am sure that these novels will help students build a love for literature the way as I have.
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
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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. Dickinson and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
