Help me give my students books in Spanish, such as El Hacha (Hatchet, Correr o morir (Maze Runner), and Un puente hacia Terabithia (Bridge To Terabithia), to improve their literacy skills.
In the hallways of the school where I teach, you will hear my students' voices. Some are speaking Spanish as they stand at their lockers getting their books for their next class. Others call to each other in Arabic, making after-school plans to play soccer in the neighborhood park. Still, others whisper in Swahili or Somali as they hold hands on the way to lunch, their colorful skirts flowing out behind them. Over the din of students talking, you will also hear English. English is the language that connects us all and makes all our international friendships possible.
Our school is truly a gem because we have so many students from all over the world learning together and building relationships.
Our students come to our school for a variety of reasons and from many different places, but all of them share a desire to succeed.
My Project
If you've ever tried to learn another language, you know that it can seem hopeless and impossible at times. There are so many words to learn and it can be incredibly frustrating to try to sound intelligent when you are still learning basic verbs and vocabulary.
My students are extremely bright and capable thinkers, but they can't express themselves or understand texts at their intellectual level because they are still learning basics, such as how to introduce themselves.
While they are at school, my students are bombarded by English. They are expected to speak and understand English in their classes, as well as read and write in English. They have just arrived in this country and none of them have had formal English instruction before they enter our school. This is exhausting!
These books will help me to keep them intellectually engaged. Yes, they need to learn English, but they also need to grow their critical thinking skills. If my students can read a text in Spanish, they can learn to discuss it with me in English and learn some new vocabulary in an organic and engaging way.
All of these books would be considered new classics in middle and high school English Language Arts classes. Teachers use these texts as touchstones to help their students understand new concepts. Getting them into my students' hands will pay dividends for years to come because they will be able to make connections and recognize what their teachers are talking about when they move on to the regular English classes. You can help set my students up for success now and in the future!
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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. Wallace and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
