The cost of purchasing several books such as Nate the Great, Why Do Snakes Hiss?, and Days with Frog and Toad is $696, 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 believe that the best way to learn how to become a good reader is to read. Lots and lots of independent reading every day is what I am trying to inspire.
I teach sixteen second graders in a very diverse school. About two-thirds of the school qualifies for free lunch. The school is about 28% African-American, 28% Caucasian, 20% Hispanic, and 14% Asian and children of mixed races.
I need more books that are appropriate to the level on which my second graders are reading. I want them to be eager to read whenever they have the chance. I love to see them sitting at their desks or in our library corner contentedly reading.
In order to encourage this, I read aloud to them daily. We have an attractive library corner with books prominently displayed. I give them instruction in small reading groups. We have a period daily in which everyone sits silently and reads whatever they choose. And I encourage them to read with positive reinforcement and recognition "for being caught in the act of reading."
Unfortunately, at the present time, I do not have enough books that range from the high first to high second grade levels. We need books in this range that are long enough to engage the children. We could use a variety of simple "chapter" books with different titles.
Children will read when given the help, the support, the encouragement, and the right environment. What we are missing is enough books. I wish to be able to select a collection of books that I know will be attractive to these children, and that will be the appropriate levels for them to read.
Please help me inspire a group of enthusiastic second graders to become avid readers!
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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. Loshin and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.