Reading for the Real World

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

Did you know that there are more bacteria in your mouth than there are people in the world, and an ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain? Books with facts like these fascinate the middle school mind and can help my students understand the worth of nonfiction as a genre.

I teach special education to seventh and eighth grade students at a first through eighth grade school in an urban area.

The city is predominantly Hispanic and the unemployment rate is higher than the national average. Many of my students have lived in foster homes or shelters at some point in their young lives. These disadvantages are compounded by their learning disabilities. However, these children have amazing spirits. I am continually humbled by each of my student's determination. They understand the hardships they face and, though sometimes discouraged, they persevere and come to school every day to learn the new math skill or to complete the day's science experiment. Each of them in his own way is a success story. They push me to be a better teacher and a better person.

My Project

There is much to be learned about the real world through nonfiction. Unfortunately, much of this genre is not accessible to my middle school students who read at a second grade level. They need to understand that nonfiction can be interesting, as well as reader friendly at their reading levels. I have introduced high interest, low level fiction to my reading class and my students have been transformed into enthusiastic readers. I want them to carry that excitement for reading to nonfiction. The series I have chosen should intrigue them with weird but true facts about the world around them. I have also requested resource guides because, as teachers, we must continue to learn and develop our teaching skills. These resource guides will assist me in improving my instruction of reading at this level.

As I began this year, my primary goal was to improve my students' ability and desire to read.

The high interest, low level, fiction books have been an incredible asset towards this goal. However, children must be able to access nonfiction in order to be successful students. I feel this series is a good introduction and means for building their potential for reading nonfiction.