I am a Title I Reading Specialist! My students are striving readers who want to become stronger readers and writers. These students come from backgrounds where day to day 'life" takes over and literacy is not always a priority. Our school is 100% free-reduced lunch and many students are being raised by their grandparents or other family members. They look to myself and their classroom teachers to be those positive educational role models in their life.
Students who are supported and shown the magical powers of reading will quickly embrace it and soar!
My students do just this! They diligently use the skills and strategies modeled and strive to do their very best. They take great pride in their growth as they too can see that magic unfolding before their very eyes.
My Project
We are asking for a variety of books that will be used to make P.O.W. (Power of Words) @Home Reading Kits will be sent home with each child on a rotating basis throughout the school year. Each bag includes a diverse text that the family will read together. The text focuses on the diversity found within their community, including culture, family structure, race, and abilities. These texts will help families understand the cultural differences within their school and community.
The POW book bags emphasize the power of words found within the text but also brings to light the power we have with the words we choose to speak!
In addition, the bag will include various resources to help elicit important conversations and add a layer of engagement. Conversation stems will be included for each text. The conversation starters will lead toward more creative thinking experiences and help guide families to have in-depth, purposeful conversations.
An opportunity for families to respond and reflect will be shared through each P.O.W. response journal. Students have the opportunity to share their family’s experience with myself and their peers. The P.O.W. book bag serves to extend the literacy experience into the home thus students seeing that reading is not just something they do at school. By adding the essential elements of diversity and engagement, students experience more engaging recreational reading opportunities that also help shape them into culturally compassionate community members.
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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. Harkreader and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
