National Geographic Explorer! For My 5th Grade Students Will Turn Them Into Lifelong Readers For Information!

One goal I have for my 5th grade students at P.S. 50 in Jamaica, Queens in 2005-2006 is for them to become independent researchers and writers by using the “National Geographic Explorer, the Nonfiction Classroom Magazine for Grades 4-6+” as an investigative tool to learn how to read nonfiction text and learn about their world, especially in the areas of social studies and science. Currently my roster has 29 students and the class size may grow once school begins on September 8, 2005. Last year I desperately needed nonfiction books in the classroom in order to teach nonfiction reading techniques and strategies. Nonfiction reading stimulates students to formulate and seek answers about their world. In order to do this I need to have the resources in order to teach the students how to use the strategies to read nonfiction. I will use the “National Geographic Explorer, the Nonfiction Classroom Magazine for Grades 4-6+”as: 1) A read aloud so that students can learn about different subject areas, vocabulary, develop critical thinking skills, and as a result motivate them to learn more about a topic. 2) Use it for small group discussions once the students gather facts, record, organize their information. 3) Use it to teach nonfiction reading by teaching them how nonfiction texts are organized by features such as headings, titles, subtitles, index, diagrams and charts. 4) A way to expand the topic that we've read about enabling students to continue researching using tools such as the Internet and the school and local library. 5) A way to instill the students with the necessary skills needed in order to do research on their own. They will be able to write a meaningful informational report and create a "How-To" book of their own choice. 6) A tool for students to get ideas for their science fair projects. 7) A way to develop a lifetime love of reading nonfiction text. With a yearly subscription of the award-winning National Geographic Magazine each student will have his or her “own” copy. They will receive seven 24-page issues per year. There will be opportunities for students to practice using maps, graphs, charts, diagrams and time lines. There is an eight page Teacher's Guide with complete teaching units and a free website with updated, expanded content for each issue. We will also receive a map and free posters. The subscription for the entire class will cost $3.95 per student for the year. I'm asking for 32 subscriptions. In addition to submitting this proposal I am also considering the service component of this project. The fact that the students will be receiving a gift from those of you who are interested in seeing my students excel as a result of your contribution will be highlighted in the classroom. I am incorporating a service-learning project into the upcoming school year's curriculum. As we are learning about how to serve the community your valuable contribution will be acknowledged as your part in serving our classroom. You are actually modeling what we will be learning how to do. This is a wonderful learning experience. Thank you so much for making a difference!