As burgeoning young adults, my students are incredibly active, vocal, and eager to experience classroom settings that allow them opportunities to deeply immerse themselves in something meaningful and relevant to their lives. My students come from incredibly diverse and complex backgrounds. They are ethnically, racially, and linguistically diverse. The majority of my students live near or below the poverty line.
It is my hope that students see our classroom as a place with a deep appreciation for the arts, a place where they feel safe and supported as they practice articulating their expectations, opinions, and needs, and a place where they can think critically and creatively about the world.
I teach two sophomore honors English classes, three sophomore general education English classes, one senior ethnic literature classes, and one IMPACT class. While students in all of my classes will benefit from these resources, my English classes will benefit directly. Other students and teachers will have access to the materials when my English students aren't using them.
My Project
Our district has recently acquired novel sets that students can annotate and keep for their personal libraries. This strategy asks students to write in the margins, make predictions, question, visualize, make connections, identify problems with, and summarize every time they read. These annotations are incredibly helpful when students write about what they read.
Annotating inspires students to tackle difficult texts confidently and intimately.
These funds would give students the materials necessary to effectively and efficiently practice this reading and writing strategy. The highlighters, colored pencils, post-its, and index cards are crucial to helping students connect with and fully immerse themselves in the texts they read independently and in small groups.
Rather than skimming or quickly reading a text, students practice pausing to break down a text for surface and below-surface meanings. Research shows that citing evidence is one of the most practical skills students need to develop as they move from high school to college. This practice helps students identify important parts of texts before reading, during reading, and after reading.
Post-it Super Sticky Notes, 2x Sticking Power, 3 in x 3 in, Rio de Janeiro Collection, 24 Pads, 70 Sheets/Pad, Cabinet Pack (654-24SSAU-CP)
• Amazon Business
$16.30
2
$32.60
Post-it Flags Assorted Color Combo Pack, 320 Flags Total, 200 1-Inch Wide Flags and 120 .5-Inch Wide Flags, 4 On-The-Go Dispensers/Pack (683XL1)
• Amazon Business
$9.82
3
$29.46
Sharpie 25053 Tank Highlighters, Chisel Tip, Assorted Colors, 12-Count
• Amazon Business
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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. Crouch and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
