During their initial reading diagnostic tests, my students stared blankly at the page, stared back at me and said, "I can't read." Since then, we have come such a long way! Rigorous and engaging materials for our literacy centers will mean even more progress for my first graders.
My students are bright, curious and hard-working first graders.
They are fully invested in our class goal: growing 2 years in reading so that they can finish the year back on grade level. This year, they have already grown 0.82 years as a class before the end of the second quarter! They love coming to school, doing their homework, and supporting each other in meeting their individual and class goals.
Our school is classified as Title 1, meaning all students are eligible to receive free or reduced lunch. Despite the challenges they face, my students are kind, respectful, responsible, and determined to excel in school. I am so proud to teach these kids and know that their potential is unlimited when I provide them with the right materials and support.
My Project
The materials I have requested will be used daily during literacy centers. Though we do centers every day, my kids routinely ask if we will be "playing" centers later-most of them will tell you it's their favorite part of the day. While I read with a small group of students, the rest of the class works independently around the room building words and sentences, playing phonics games, or reading at the library to reinforce the skills that will make them strong readers.
The resources I've requested are engaging, sturdy, rigorous, and developmentally appropriate for my students. Not only would foam word building tiles, colorful folder games and self-correcting phonics activities push my students academically, but they will also increase my kids' commitment to and love of learning.
My students astound me every day with their intelligence, positivity and resilience.
Despite their challenging circumstances, they give me their best when they show up to school every morning. Their hard work and wonderful attitudes have translated into academic success that is laying a foundation for the rest of their academic careers. I am doing everything I can to ensure that they have the tools and support they need to be ready for next year and beyond.
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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. Ivey and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
