Help me give my students a newfound appreciation of and passion for literature. Allow me to help them find materials that appeal to their interests and/or life experiences.
Our school is a Title 1 school, meaning that the majority of our kids come from households making less than the identified poverty line. My students are pretty typical of those in every medium-sized rural middle school across the southeast. They come to school to see their friends, have access to technology and sports, and eat breakfast and lunch. Somehow they also manage to learn a thing or two and/or build relationships with adults who try to guide or keep them on the right path. They don't necessarily know it, but that knowledge and those relationships will mean a lot to them one day. For right now, though, their seventh grade selves are far more interested in having fun and socializing.
I have a great mix of students: athletes, academics, gamers, artists, techies, and musicians - and this is what makes my classes great!
But these varying interests, along with social media, technology, athletics, and sleep, provide strong competition for the attention of our students - especially in the English/Language Arts classroom where reading and writing are seen as long, boring, and tedious processes.
My Project
Today's students are so inundated with external stimuli and technology that they often fail to nurture a connection with literature and the written word (unless it is found via social media or text). Having quality materials available to them will increase their access to literature that they can relate to and enjoy.
Help me to resurrect a passion for reading for pleasure!
I am convinced that there are so many other things to do, the opportunity to learn enjoyment through reading gets lost and/or students fail to determine what types of books interest them. These materials may just fix that!
More than three‑quarters of students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
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. Jessica Coffey and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
