Everyone can remember that unobtainable cookie jar perched high atop the refrigerator. Being a five-year-old offers physical challenges. Many adults take advantage of this "shortcoming" by placing items out of reach. Now imagine that frustration when the goodness of a book is out of your reach.
My students are READERS!
They see themselves as readers and own that title regardless of their individual ability. My students' reading abilities range from approaching to beyond grade level. Books are constantly being shared and our classroom library is a focal point for everyone.
As you come into our classroom, it is challenging to recognize individual reading levels because all the students are engaged with a text of some sort. It is only when they take a book from the library that one can acknowledge a student's reading level or (book that best fits his or her challenges).
My students spend the first 10 to 15 minutes of each school day actively reading text. It's NOT quiet due to the hums from whispering readers or excited sharers.
My Project
By having mobile library shelves that are at the students' physical level, many more students will have easier access to titles that are far out of reach. In addition, our classroom student-librarian will not be challenged to return/re-shelve books that are returned to the book bin. The book center would keep our entire classroom leveled-reader library accessible to ALL students and also incredibly organized!
Literacy development begins in the early stages of childhood.
Early behaviors such as "reading" from pictures and "writing" with scribbles are examples of emergent literacy and are an important part of children's literacy development. With the support of a literacy-rich environment, children successfully progress from emergent to conventional reading. Your help with this project will definitely create a positive impact on students accessing books they want to read.
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 Mr. Cameron and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.