Read A Chapter, Write A Letter; Life Will Get Better
My students need a class set of "Dear Mr. Henshaw", by Beverly Cleary. Narrated by a 6th grade boy and written in a epistolary (letter writing) format, it's perfect for both reading & writing class.
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
When choosing literature for my students there are two main questions I ask myself: 1-Will students walk in someone else's shoes and learn more about the world?, 2-Will the students see themselves in the book's characters and relate to them? I think the second question can often be very important with students who are struggling in school.
A book that is narrated by a 6th grade boy and promotes writing letters as a way to cope with adolescent and family problems is a great find (authored by Beverly Cleary is icing on the cake).
This year's group is majority male and serious motivation is needed according to last year's teacher. The students are smart, have energy, and need to be very engaged and challenged. I look forward to giving them a project that will draw them into wrtiting as they read about a boy who could be their classmate, best friend, or the boy seen when looking in the mirror.
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.
