My students are a lively group of fifth graders. They are a mix of socioeconomic backgrounds, different religions, and mixed ethnicities that have come together as one class of learners. In a town where neighbors share common walls but different languages, the mix of students is not only tolerated but celebrated. It is an opportunity to learn from each other and to enrich our own lives with the addition of new foods, new stories, and new friends from places other than where we come from.
In our classroom, I find it is a priority for my students to feel safe.
This applies not only to the physical sense, but I also encourage them to take risks as learners and to not be worried about the consequence of failure. All learners will fail at some point in their journey. What sets those who are successful apart is their ability to learn from their mistakes and grow from them. I encourage my students to always take the risk.
My Project
My students simply devour the books we share during our read aloud time. It is a favorite time of the day for all, myself included. During our previous read aloud studies this year, students have been so engrossed you could literally hear a pin drop while we read. In fact, my students have been so wrapped up in our read alouds this year, we have already finished the three books the district provides us with . . . and we have another four months of school left!
I am asking for a classroom set of the paperback book, Out of My Mind by Sharon M.
Draper. It is the story of a girl living with cerebral palsy. The book chronicles her struggles of an active mind but a body that won't keep up. It is a story that I think is important for my students to hear, to learn about those living with crippling disabilities but who still have a hunger for life and a willingness to live. Allowing each student access to their own copy of the book engages them as readers, instead of passively having them listen to me read to the class. I know this book will start some great conversations about empathy, respect, and tolerance. Please help us have those conversations.
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
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. Burns and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
