My students need bilingual and Spanish library books across grade levels (K-8) so our English learners can read for pleasure in their native language and our Spanish learners can improve their literacy skills.
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
Our students are born to be leaders. They live to learn and learn to lead.
I teach at an amazing district with a diverse population, with approximately 70 English learners and over 85% of students receiving free/reduced-price breakfast and lunch, located in Flint, Michigan.
While many of our students face socio-economic challenges and must deal with the ongoing Flint water crisis, they rise above it when they come to school.
Our school district serves students in grades PreK-8 on a year-round, balanced calendar. Our staff strive to push our students to reach their highest potential and are sensitive to their personal backgrounds and needs.
Our library is home to one of the only Ben Carson Reading Rooms in Michigan, which encourages our students to read for pleasure and to become lifetime readers. We are proud to be a "Leader In Me" school, teaching students the 7 Habits of Happy Kids, and are a designated "School to Watch".
My Project
Students in my district need access to bilingual and/or Spanish library books. RPSA is home to approximately 70 K-8th grade English learners; we have one of the highest populations of language learners in our county. Research in language acquisition shows that increasing literacy in one's native language can lead to improved academic achievement and literacy in an individual's second/other language. Therefore, we created a NEW bilingual or Spanish section of our school library. We have just over 50 books currently, and we hope to increase the number of titles students can choose from.
The bilingual/Spanish books we have available in the library are in such high demand that students are waiting weeks to check them out!
Not only have these books increased how many pages our native Spanish speakers are reading but they also serve to spark a curiosity and love of language learning in others.
These books will be housed in our school library as opposed to a classroom so that all students, no matter what grade level, have equitable access to them. By donating to our project, you will help our EL students maintain their native language and promote literacy to all students for years to come!
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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. Williams and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
