The More You Read, The More You Know and More Places You'll Go

My Students

"The more you read, the more you know. The more you know, the more places you'll go." This is my favorite quote by Dr. Seuss. Reading takes us places we may not otherwise go and do things we may not otherwise do. These books will take scholars to places like Camp Halfblood, Narnia, and 1940's Europe.

I have not yet had the opportunity to meet my scholars for this school year.

I do know that the majority of them are African-American, with the next largest population being Hispanic. They are 6th graders in a Title 1 school. Some are higher level learners, and some are lower level learners. All of them, I know, are capable of amazing things! Unfortunately, they are looked down upon by others due to the community in which they live. But there is so much potential for greatness in these scholars. They simply need kind, caring, and compassionate friends to take an interest in them and their futures. Dr. Ben Carson came from a similar background to these scholars, but thanks to his mother encouraging his brother and him to do well in school (including weekly book reports turned in to her), he is now a world-renowned doctor and running for president. I know these scholars can achieve greatness, as well.

My Project

As a first year teacher, I do not have funds to build a good foundational classroom library. I have been given a few books, but not near enough to support the entire 6th grade population that I will see daily in my classes. I also have zero books for ESL scholars, and there is a large Hispanic population in my school. We will use these books to promote literacy and passion for reading, as well as in various writing activities. I will allow scholars to check books out of our classroom library, so that the joy of reading may continue after school hours. I found my love of reading in my early elementary years from teachers who allowed us to read books that we wanted to read, not books that we "had" to read. I would like to give scholars the same chance to read books they actually want to read, and be transported to so many different places!

Scholars need to have access to books that are age appropriate and engaging.

If they are not engaged, they will not care to continue reading. Your gracious donations will help scholars find their passion for reading! Today a reader; tomorrow a leader!