My students need four bean bag chairs to make independent reading time in class more comfortable and something for students to look forward to.
$438 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.
When you read for pleasure, do you sit at a desk? You probably find some pillows and get comfortable. Twice weekly I conduct a reading workshop. To set the tone for this period of quiet independent reading I would like to have beanbag chairs so students can get comfortable and truly enjoy reading.
My students come from a low-income culturally diverse neighborhood.
Our school is a small public school for the arts. It is the only middle school in our district with an arts focus, so many students come in hopes of developing their artistic talents.
As readers, most of my sixth graders come to our school reading below grade level. While most students come in about 12-24 months behind where they should be I also have a small group of students who come in more than three years below grade level in reading comprehension.
Many students hate reading because in the past it has always been frustrating and a chore. Part of my task as their Language Arts teacher is to help them overcome that frustration, and eventually find enjoyment in reading.
My Project
Studies show that the amount of time that students spend reading is the best predictor of reading achievement (Anderson, Wilson, Fielding, 1998; Krashen, 1993).
This means that I could be the most amazing reading teacher my district has ever seen, but ultimately my students will have to spend significant time reading outside of class to become high achievers.
While I cannot force my students to read at home, I can teach them how to be independent readers in class and encourage them to practice the same behaviors at home.
Independent readers read to escape to new worlds, or to discover new information or ways of thinking. For independent readers, reading is a pleasurable experience.
If I can create a pleasurable reading experience in class, that will motivate my students to seek out the same experience on their own time. Having beanbag chairs available in the classroom for independent reading time will help create this feeling, and make I.R. time something to look forward to.
You just sat through 45 minutes of Language Arts.
Your hand hurts from writing. Your teacher announces that it is now time to transition to independent reading.
Imagine if instead of having to remain at your desk for the next 40 minutes, you knew you would be able to push in your hard metal chair and get cozy in a nice comfy beanbag with the book you just started. You would probably feel happy and excited about reading. This is how I want my students to feel when I say "it's time for I.R.".
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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. Kellner and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
