Our school serves students in kindergarten through eighth grade. More than 85% of our children come from low-income households with little access to books or media. Students I work with often complain they are not allowed to go to the public library because of safety issues or lack of adult assistance due to working parents and guardians. Without access to books, our students often enter middle school behind their national grade-level peers.
Despite the daily challenges posed by gang violence and poverty, my students have a strong desire to learn.
They recognize the importance of their education and are fiercely committed to their learning as a vehicle for changing their situations and community.
My Project
This project will help students who are beginning their third-quarter novel study. We have class sets of the novels; however, we need to replenish our materials due to wear and tear from the last several years of use. Students will read books that are culturally relevant to their community such as The Crossover, a novel written in verse, and Tears of a Tiger by award-winning author Sharon Draper. These books help students explore complex themes such as race, growing up, and finding your family. Each unit of study is designed to answer bigger questions about life beyond the classroom.
Nearly all students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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