The cost of pocket charts, writing journals, word posters, and writing resources is $909, including shipping and <a target="new" href="http://www.donorschoose.org/html/fulfillment.htm" onclick="g_openWindow('http://www.donorschoose.org/html/fulfillment.htm', 300, 800, 'fulfillwindow');return false;">fulfillment</a>.
I can picture it already. The headlines in your local newspaper will say: "America's Bestselling Author Was Already Publishing In First Grade"! We did a tremendous amount of writing this past school year, and I found many natural writers among my 20 students. These six- and seven-year olds each published a hardcover book with their original words and stories. What an amazing accomplishment!
In first grade, publishing is the ultimate goal. All year long, we have to work on remembering how to hold a pencil, how to write each letter of the alphabet, how to put spaces between words, how to spell, etc. You get the idea. Basically, there is a lot of prep work involved before the publishing process even begins.
During this past school year, my students were completely motivated to write anything and everything simply because they knew that they could publish their own book at the end of the year. I felt that I didn't have enough writing materials to guide them further than what they were able to produce. I kept thinking that if I only had more pocket charts, then I would be able to display more of their ideas. If I only had more lessons on writing, then I would be able to teach specific aspects of writing using different activities. If I only had more books on nouns and verbs, then my students would be able to write more interesting sentences in their stories.
I've put a lot of thought into what worked well last year with my students. I know that with materials such as pocket charts, writing journals, word posters, and writing resources for teachers, my upcoming class will take their writing that one extra step forward. These materials will be used throughout the entire school year and be shared amongst the first grade teachers. This year, my first graders will write a lot and learn a lot about writing. Maybe, just maybe, with your help, a bestselling author will be born.
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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. Huang and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.