My students need diverse books that will captivate their minds and swallow up their hearts and souls!
FULLY FUNDED! Ms. Lorenzo's classroom raised $600
This project is fully funded
Celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month
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
I am passionate about teaching my 5th graders in our diverse and growing school. Our school, in Orlando, Florida, is in a working class neighborhood with 58% economically disadvantaged. This past year, we had an influx of students who entered our school relocating due to hardships impacted by the hurricanes. For many, their first language was not English, and we welcomed them with open arms.
Our students are caring, creative and courageous leaders.
I love that they enjoy reading to buddies throughout the school; they are talented and artistic; they challenge themselves to read more each time with reading goals. They embrace the fact that they are diverse and my goal is to continue to build a community among these soon to be leaders.
Do you remember the joy you felt when someone read aloud to you? Believe it or not, FIFTH Graders love to be read to, too! I love reading aloud to them in the beginning of the year to build community, teach about kindness/empathy and how unique we all are. They see themselves relating to characters and there is always a connection made with picture books. All I want is to be able to read a book a day!
My Project
The enthusiastic learner in me likes to find ways to improve my teaching to create lifelong learners. For this 2018-2019 school year, I came across a challenge by a former middle school teacher, Jillian Heise, called #classroombookaday. I will commit myself to reading 180 books, for 5-10 minutes a day, in order to bring back the joy of reading, while at the same time, creating opportunities for learning.
Picture books are for all ages, particularly for those who need to be reminded of who they are and what they can be.
The books have been carefully selected to reflect diversity and individualism, to be integrated with other subjects (science/STEAM/history/writing), and to empower students to change the world. There are so many more added benefits to reading aloud, I am certain it will have a powerful and joyful impact in my classroom.
I will be sure to display the 180 titles on a bulletin board as a visual reference and have the books available for students to read on their own. I will give my students ownership of the project; they will help with the display, choose the books and read to their classmates. I look forward to having my older students pair up with the younger students as reading buddies, and spread the love of reading to them.
Our school mission statement is:
I Lead
I Empower and Inspire Others
I Am In Charge of My Learning
I Determine My Path
By funding this project, you will help in creating leaders for the next generation. YES, reading aloud to older students will make a difference!
More than a third of 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
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
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. Lorenzo and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
