I have 27 amazing students in a Title I school. As a teacher in a low-income/high poverty school district, my students are faced with several challenges both in and out of the classroom. Many of them are being raised in single-parent households and receive a free lunch based on their socioeconomic status, while others are experiencing homelessness. These things may prevent them from getting ahead early in life and may not provide them with the life experiences many of us see as "typical".
From the minute they walk in the door of my classroom, I focus on their potential and growth while they are with me.
I may not be able to control their home lives. However, I can certainly control their experience during the school day.
My Project
Books need to be windows and mirrors for students. They need to be able to see themselves within the text, and also see others through diverse text as well.
In the primary grades as we are devoting copious amounts of time to helping students become proficient readers, we must remember that students are discovering their place in school and world, and the books we provide access to inform this discovery.
With access to books, students are able to see that their narrative matters, and learn to understand and appreciate the narratives of others. The power of literacy to transform lives does not exist in skill and strategy instruction alone; it also resides within the stories students read.
I am trying to build a classroom library full of diverse books that my students will love and get excited to read. I am also trying to find books that will help them build the skills they need to become successful readers; books that enhance vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension.
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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. Gruber and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
