My students need a class set of the novel Bronx Masquerade, by Nikki Grimes, and poetry anthologies to develop and expand their skills and experience as readers and writers.
This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because
it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.
My Students
Our students and families are ready to learn and ready to succeed, supported by strong community involvement and pride in their families, heritage and school. Our school population is 95% Hispanic, with nearly 41% learning English as a Second Language (ESL). Families and teachers prepare students for the pathway to college and career, which is key for our students: the average income for residents within the school's zip code is significantly less than the state's average.
Despite, and often because of, such challenges, our students eagerly participate in both bilingual and monolingual curricula, along with many other opportunities for student growth including technology and engineering projects, ballroom dance, and after school wrap-around programs.
Our attendance is excellent because our students come here to learn and succeed.
My Project
I love to read and I like to write- I always have. That being true, it does not mean that I think writing is easy...not at all. So, if I - a person who really likes books-have always found the act of writing to be a challenge, what kind of challenge can English Language Arts be for a student who struggles to read or who simply doesn't not engage in the act of reading? As hard as we work to make school interesting and appealing to different kinds of learners with differing aptitudes, success in school still incolves a whole lot of reading.
Eventhough not all readers write, most writers read and take inspiration and tools of the craft from what they read.
The hands and minds of my students must be filled with books that they will read...that will cause them to want to read...that will show characters who reflect them on the pages. This is a critical step in inspiring them to want to have their own voices in our community. These are the characters in Nikki Grimes novels. Her voice is one that pull students in, so that they, too may develop as writers- just like the students in Bronx Masquerade.
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 Ms. Frankowiak and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
