This project is part of the Black History Month celebration because it supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of the students are Black.
My Students
SPECIAL doesn't begin to describe MY students. They are filled with strength, perseverance and ambition! 100% of my students are newcomers to the USA and are starting their journey in a large urban Saint Louis public school. I teach ESOL, reading and writing to a diverse group of teens. Some are attending school for the VERY first time, others were denied years of formal education living in refugee camps, fleeing war or escaping poverty. They all need a fresh start and they ALL have great stories to share.
It is an amazing joy to learn alongside my Newcomers.
Every day I become a better person and teacher because my students are I are invested in each other's growth. We share our lives with one another and through hard work and vulnerability we all succeed. We embrace the idea that 'if doesn't challenge you, it doesn't change you.' The activities I plan for my students seek to bridge the achievement gap that exists between them and their native English speaking peers. These students have a lot of catching up to do and they were worth your personal investment. They each have a bright future ahead that will blossom with our care.
My Project
A classroom library for English Language Learners is a great tool for building literacy. We need books to grab for independent reading time that will generate interest in reading, improve vocabulary and build reading skills. ELL students all work at different paces as the seek to make meaning of the content before them.
Every minute counts in a school day.
As students complete their assigned work, it is my hope they will access our classroom library to read items of personal interest while they wait for other students to complete assignments. These reading materials will help our classroom library blossom. We need current events magazines, readers and books in a variety of genres at our fingertips so no learning time is wasted.
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 Ms. Ritchie and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
