My middle school is home to around 800 students. It has received an “Excellent” rating on the South Carolina State Report Card for several years in a row. Fifty-six percent of the population identify as Caucasian, 23% identify as African-American, 13% percent identify as Hispanic, and two percent identify as Asian.
Thirty-two percent of the student population is eligible for free lunch, and seven percent is eligible for reduced lunch.
Thirty-six percent of students at GMA are enrolled in the Gifted and Talented program. This number is higher than the district average of 11%, partially due to the magnet program that brings in students from outside of the zoning area.
My subject, 8th grade literature, is taught to five different periods of students per day, and each group typically contains an average of 25 students. Two different levels of literature classes (gifted and talented and on-level) are taught each day. Each of my classes contain students who have an IEP or 504 plan.
My Project
Reading is fundamental in education! Reading helps expand the mind and develop the imagination. It is imperative that students be given access to books that interest them with main characters that they can connect with.
My students need high-interest books to help them foster their love of reading.
I chose books that will appeal to all of my diverse learners. I chose both fiction and non-fiction titles, as well as several books with main characters that are not Caucasian (Native American, African American, Asian, etc.). It is important for ALL of my students to find books that they love in which the main characters are like them. I hope to add these titles to my classroom library so that all of my students can choose books that interest them and help them develop a lifelong love of reading!
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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 Mrs. Roach and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
