Our school has a very small budget, which makes providing supplies for the classroom difficult. Many of the materials we have are either old and outdated, or simply do not exist. Additionally, our class sizes can be quite large, so it falls to teachers to provide the extra supplies for many crowded rooms. I have worked hard over the years to build up a trove of resources of teaching, but sometimes students need more than a classroom teacher can provide.
Students in our school come from a wide array of backgrounds.
Most do not have the luxury of time to stay up-to-date on what's going on in the world, which can make instruction difficult when they don't have adequate background knowledge. Many struggle with the basic skills of reading a full-length text, so motivating them can be a challenge. My classroom sees a large number of ELL and SPED students, in addition to general education students and those with gifted and talented needs. My students are willing to work when engagement is high, and the best way to engage them is through hands-on learning experiences with current and innovative materials.
My Project
I am an avid reader and always look for ways to get kids hooked on good books. It can be difficult for students to find joy in reading when they are told what they are "required" to read. Sometimes, the text isn't exciting for them. Sometimes, the language used in the text is beyond their reach and frustrates them. Sometimes, the size of the text can simply turn a student off to reading it. Sometimes, they can't comprehend the story because it requires so much specialized knowledge acquired prior to reading.
Recently, I learned that next year all students in sixth grade will be required to read Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan.
This story is, without question, wonderful. That being said, I know that many of my students will come in missing the requisite skills to conquer this challenging text. I am seeking to make the plot more accessible by acquiring graphic novels to match the story, helping students make connections between the printed text and the pictures.
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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. Robinson and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
