Former first lady, Michelle Obama, is quoted to have said, "You should never view your challenges as a disadvantage. Instead, it is important for you to understand that facing and overcoming adversity is actually one of your biggest advantages." My middle school students are learning to make the most out of that exact advantage. Majority of my students fall in one (or more) of the following categories: foster care/homeless youth, English language learners (newcomers and LTELs), low SES, and/or qualify for special education services. They are more than ready overcome the adversity they have been faced.
My students are more than their challenges.
They are kind, hard-working, silly, and resilient individuals. My students need to see themselves and their challenges reflected in the literature we read.
My Project
We are implementing literature circles this year to ensure each student has the opportunity to select a book that they truly have interest in. Our first selection of novels will be used in our social issues literature circles where we will be developing both our empathy as well as our advocacy.
These novel sets will not only help my students learn to love reading, but also help them develop their social-emotional growth.
I expect these novel studies will help my students begin to understand and overcome their own adversities while becoming more socially aware of the world and people around them.
This year, we are centering our learning around the essential question: What are the challenges of human interaction? In doing so, my students will learn to better face, understand, cope, and overcome the adversity they have been faced with and in turn, become more well-rounded and empathetic individuals.
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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. Gunberg and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
