My students need 26 copies of Newbery author, Kwame Alexander's newest title;Booked.
$425 goal
Hooray! This project is fully funded
Hooray! 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.
First day of school, I challenged my students to read 40 books this school year. As I presented the challenge, their faces reflected concerns of "Really?" or "I can't! or "That's too many books!" Well, 6 months into the school year, I can proudly say that we've read almost 2,000 books and counting!
I teach in a public school with high economic and academic challenges.
As a 5th grade bilingual teacher, throughout the day academic and social conversations happen in both English and Spanish. My students are showing growth and success in their core subjects. However, allow me to brag about their reading. My students are eager and passionate about authentic literature.
Teacher/Parent conversations often sound like this:
"It's time for dinner and they're in the bedroom reading."
"We go to the store and instead of toys...they want this and that book!"
"Are they really reading? I just can't believe it!"
Teacher/Students conversations often sound like this:
"Please put your novel away." (During Math/Science/etc lesson)
"Yes, you may go to the Library again."
"Please don't read and walk at the same time."
Honestly, I feel like I'm the luckiest teacher in the world. The 'Joy of Reading' is happening everyday!
My Project
One of our recent read-alouds was the 2015 Newbery medal winner, 'The Crossover' by Kwame Alexander. The students were captivated by the Kwame's lyrical story telling. They learned about - family, friendship, basketball, love - but perhaps the most important lesson was that poetry is a universal language. Using the writing process and 'The Crossover,' their own poems took form and quickly evolved into masterpieces. 'Booked' is Kwame Alexander's newest book to hit bookshelves this Spring. Students are eagerly awaiting its arrival! I will read the book to them and I know they will fall in love with it. However, my desire is for them to own their personal copy. Whether they read along with me or listen to me read, owning 'Booked' continues their journey of mastering the craft of reading.
“The more that you read, the more things you will know.
The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.” Dr. Seuss
This year's 40 Book Challenge seems minuscule compared to my goal of them becoming lifelong readers. There is a power in a good piece of literature. The more they read, the more they will enjoy it.
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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 Teacher Urrutia and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
