My students need access to multiple genre books to assist with engagement and improve literacy. Specific units of study include biographies and non-fiction text.
It is difficult for students to imagine a world beyond their immediate surroundings. Furthermore, when they think of their future opportunities, many of them (especially my boys) have no positive role model to aspire to. The world of books can open their minds and their futures.
Our district consists of approximately 40% Hispanic students.
Many of these students are first generation Americans. Most of their parents work in the local factories and many of these children are free and reduced lunch recipients. They have never traveled beyond our local community and are limited to little to no background knowledge about our country's history. Many of these students believe reading is a "requirement" and have struggled with literacy due to the language barrier. Although they are eager to learn, their limited background knowledge inhibits their ability to grasp grade-level materials. Most of their parents work full time (many third shifters) and the majority of my kids have no parental supervision after school...no role model to assist with reading, no role model to build background knowledge. Furthermore, approximately 50% of my homeroom children are responsible for taking care of younger siblings after school.
My Project
For the past five years I have taught lower level fifth graders, this year I have moved to sixth grade and thus my classroom library is mainly comprised of 3-5 grade level fiction books. In sixth grade, students are expected to be exposed to a variety of genres and are expected to read one non-fiction book and two different genre books every month. Although they are allotted some reading time at school, the bulk of their reading is expected to be at home. With the addition of the requested books, my students will have some much needed choices to locate a book that will hold their interest. They will not only be able to grow their literacy skills, but will be able to build background knowledge on a variety of world issues, learn about important figures in our world and country's history, and be exposed to different genres to grow their love of reading. Through access to new and engaging books, students will finally be able to say, "I enjoyed reading this book!"
As previously mentioned, so many of my students have yet to discover how books can transport them to an exciting, engaging world of knowledge, fantasy, etc.
Once they learn that a book can be just (if not more) entertaining than watching television or playing a video game, they will become better readers. The ability to increase their reading stamina will transfer to success in the classroom across all content areas.
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