My students need a class set, 23 in all, of the novel The Watsons Go To Birmingham-1963 to read as it will capture their imaginations through such a wonderful tale.
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
This novel has transformed reluctant readers into lifetime readers through such a terrific story. Remember when that happened for you? A teacher would assign a novel and you (as a student) would yawn, sigh, or become frustrated? Then suddenly, you became so interested that you simply had to continue
My students have shown glimpses of becoming avid readers outside the classroom.
Since the school is unable to fund anything beyond what they deem a necessity, novels are often overlooked. The students have just completed one novel and so many of them are eager to jump into another tale that captures their imaginations. Many New Jersey schools struggle to find the funding necessary to properly educate and inspire our students. Books are a necessity and when a story is so intriguing that my students look forward to reading each day, the transformation has just begun.
My Project
I have used this novel "The Watsons Go To Birmingham-1963" with each of my classes for the past five years. After much wear and tear, we need a new set. I have seen what an intriguing and interesting novel can do for students who may not necessarily love to read...it turns those reluctant readers into lifetime readers.
This novel by Christopher Paul Curtis is one of historical fiction where the lives of each family member changes overnight when the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing occurred in 1963. It also shows the transformation of one of the main characters, who many of my students in the past and currently could relate to. The novel is "real" to them because it shows the struggles that many teenagers go through. My past students completed so many different projects as the read this novel. They worked on writing an afterword to the novel, completed character sketches for the 5 main characters, they created a mural, and the list goes on. The novel is one of a kind!
I have witnessed what a special book this is for my students and I hope to continue to inspire my current students that reading is interesting, fun, and captivating.
If one book can inspire them to become "lifers" in terms of readers, then this is definitely the one. Each year I poll my students as to their favorite novel of the year, and time and time again the majority of them say "The Watsons..." Turning reluctant readers to lifelong readers is something special for a teacher indeed!
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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 Mr. Baker Jr and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.