"One way to keep momentum going is to have constantly greater goals," states Michael Korda and my students are learning to apply this quote in my classroom and in their own lives.
My students are precocious and articulate, who happen to be in a self-contained, special education classroom.
They come from all different socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds and overcome their personal and academic disadvantages everyday to attend an urban school that holds up to 4000 students. Although in a large school, they refuse to slip between the cracks.
My Project
To my dismay in the beginning of the year, many of the students revealed their dislike for reading and writing especially poetry! In that instant, I decided to read in class a book called Crank by Ellen Hopkins. Not only did it have a dynamic storyline about a young girl Kristina that slipped into drug use, but it was written in verse. The plot captured the students' attention and now they are learning to appreciate and analyze poetry and literature. Wanting to build on the momentum, the students would like to read Glass. GLASS is the sequel to Hopkins' first novel about Kristina.
My students will learn about the consequences of poor decision-making, as told through the lens of real people who made real life-changing decisions. They will see how even the smallest of impulsive actions can have long-term effects on their lives.
Our students face an ever-changing world that isn't always kind; indeed, even within their own social systems, my students face the pressure of drug use, social pressures and insensitivity.
By placing true stories in their hands that deal with very real and tangible issues, I hope to provide my students with a shield against the sharp arrows of reality. They can learn the benefit of looking inward instead of quickly reacting outward. They can learn the greatest life lessons with each page turned.
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 Ms. Vazquez and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.