"Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy...that's why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird," said the iconic character, Atticus Finch. In this novel, my students find examples of people fighting for acceptance and equality, which continue to be struggles in today's world.
My students are energetic, strong-willed, and optimistic 15 and 16-year-olds.
They attend a high school of over 2,700 students in Oklahoma. My students are desperate to find a message that opposes the traditional view of "difference" as being "unacceptable." While many students are "on-level," some are on Individualized Education Programs and several are English Language Learners. Close to 30% are on the free-and-reduced lunch program, and they cannot obtain copies of the novels we read.
My Project
The resources this project will provide are 50 additional copies of the novel "To Kill a Mockingbird," in order to allow more students access to this powerful piece of literature. Rather than having simply "classroom sets" of this book, this will enable students to have their own copy that they can take home, read closely, analyze, share with family, and spread its message. Until now, students' ability to take full advantage of this novel has been limited. With the additional copies of "To Kill a Mockingbird" this project will provide, each student's experience will improve greatly.
The first time I witnessed a student shed a tear at the line, "Hey Boo," I knew that the novel "To Kill a Mockingbird" was something different.
Through the exploration of this book, I have seen teenagers who once claimed "I hate to read," become completely enthralled with the story. Together, my students and I laugh and cry as we read. We suffer alongside characters, and fear for them when they are in danger. My students walk away from this novel forever changed.
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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. Colbert and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.