My 2nd graders are creative, hilarious, kind-hearted, and curious little humans. Last month, they donated books from home to build book boxes to keep on each of our school buses, so that our bus riders can read together on the way to and from school. On a class survey, my class recently voted overwhelmingly that reading is their favorite part of the school day, and I love helping them grow into readers!
Some of our most special moments as a class family have been shared during read-alouds, which make us think about and see our world differently than we did before.
My Project
In one of our class' most-loved books, author Kate DiCamillo writes, "Stories are light. Light is precious in a world so dark." Stories can be mirrors, where we can see characters like ourselves and feel valued; and windows into the lives of people very different from ourselves. This is why kids who are readers grow up to be kinder, more empathetic people--which is exactly what we need more of in this world.
The books in our classrooms should be as diverse as the students and families we serve.
Yet, most teachers must fund our own classroom libraries, relying on yard sales and bargain bins where books are often older, more tattered, lower-quality, and lacking in characters that truly represent all types of people. I've been working to change this a few books at a time, but this project is a huge step toward making sure the stories we share include both mirrors and windows, for every child!
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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 Mrs. MacHott and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
