My students need an expanded library full of books they love(with some classics too), durable laminated reading games, and a way to organize their homework folders!
In room 108, my kindergarten students go from barely recognizing their names in September, to reading and writing pages and pages by the end of the school year. One of my biggest challenges is keeping them entertained, challenged and occupied while also learning.
My students come from an economically disadvantaged neighborhood, though you would never know that from their personalities and desire to learn!
Before my non-profit company stepped in to turnaround this public school, it was statistically the most violent elementary school in Philadelphia. My students are bright, fiery and energetic kids that are confronted by more real-life situations than any five year old should be. Our school is now a safe haven, and where they have the opportunity to change their future. My job is to help them understand the importance of reading everyday, everywhere and as often as possible. Learning to read opens of a whole new world for them! Teacher read aloud time is only bested by independent student reading. When my students open a favorite book and realize they can read the words themselves, they glow!
My Project
My project consists of read aloud books for me to use to explore topics like kindness, teamwork, hard work, respect and responsibility. I will use these stories, along with my fellow kindergarten teachers at school, in order to illustrate the importance of these character traits. Also included in this project are a number of Elephant and Piggie books by Mo Willems, a favorite author not only of teachers, but every student who reads them! They are silly, simple to understand books with important messages. More importantly, they make for great independent reading in the second half of the school year when students are really exploring our library on their own. Mo Willems has been called the modern day Dr. Suess, and his collection will be a welcomed addition to our classroom collection. This project also includes a student work organizer, so I can teach student responsibility by helping them care for their materials, school work and homework!
Teaching a community of learners that need exposure to literacy the most makes teaching kindergarten in an urban setting the best job I could ask for!
I believe in the strengths that a child-centered classroom can bring in providing an engaging learning atmosphere for all students. Your donations to our school and my classroom will impact over one hundred students this year alone. Please help the Busy Bees of Room 108 and other kindergarten students learn how to read!
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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