The cost of multiple titles for readers of various levels is $815, including shipping and <a target="new" href="http://www.donorschoose.org/html/fulfillment.htm" onclick="g_openWindow('http://www.donorschoose.org/html/fulfillment.htm', 300, 800, 'fulfillwindow');return false;">fulfillment</a>.
When I first entered my classroom, it had some books on the shelves: a few Agatha Christie mysteries, a biography of Katharine Hepburn, a picture book series on Canadian provinces, and a few other titles which I knew would hold no magic for my students. They repeatedly tell me that they want to read about ?things we relate to?, such as Walter Dean Myers stories or the Bluford series.
That said, my 8th grade Language Arts students are only reading at 56% proficiency, and my 7th graders are at 64% proficiency according to our latest benchmark exam. I have tested them as well and found that most of them are reading on a 4th or 5th grade reading level. Our big goal is to make two years' growth in reading by the end of the year. In order for them to make such significant growth, they will need to be reading constantly.
One of my major goals this year is to set up a Reader's Workshop. The students would have the opportunity to spend roughly thirty minutes each day reading a book on their appropriate grade levels, recording their observations and thoughts, and sharing their opinions on the books with their classmates. They would be able to choose more difficult books as they increased their reading abilities. By having a wide range of books on every level, they would have a selection varied enough to give them the opportunity to find something they enjoy.
While I realize I am asking for a large number of books, I am hoping to have enough that each of my 100 students can take home his or her individual book rather than having to share it with another student. Most of my students cannot afford to have books of their own, and allowing them at least partial ownership would help them to connect more personally to their reading goals.
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. C. and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.