Adding high-interest novels such as the Dog Man and Campground Kids series to my classroom library will significantly boost reading comprehension among my 2nd–5th grade students, especially the boys who often struggle to find engaging material. As the English Language Arts teacher in our Dual Language program, I see firsthand how motivation is directly tied to literacy development.
When students are excited about the content they’re reading, they are more likely to persevere through challenging vocabulary, make inferences, and apply comprehension strategies—all of which are essential to becoming strong readers.
My classroom serves a unique population of learners, including both English and Spanish native speakers who receive most of their instruction in Spanish throughout the day. Their time in my English Language Arts class is limited, so it is critical that I maximize every opportunity to develop their English reading skills. By incorporating novels that they are genuinely interested in, I can create a bridge between their language acquisition and their personal interests. These books offer accessible language, relatable characters, and humor or adventure that captures attention—especially important for reluctant or developing readers.
Allowing students to check out these novels for home reading extends their literacy development beyond the classroom. Reading for fun outside of school reinforces vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension in a low-pressure environment. The Dog Man series, with its graphic novel format and humor, is particularly appealing to emerging readers, while the Campground Kids novels provide rich storytelling and adventure that deepen comprehension and critical thinking. This grant would enable me to put these books directly into the hands of students who need them most, fostering a love of reading that can transform their academic growth and confidence.
Nearly all 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. Hernandez and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
