My students are all gifted in reading. But, this does not always equate to higher achievement. Studies have shown that this happens because gifted readers cannot relate to the novels chosen for them and because they cannot see how the novel affects their lives.
Relevance and Empathy; Two missing pieces of many curriculums for our gifted readers.
My students long for these two things. I have students telling me that most of the books they have to read have nothing to do with their lives outside of school. My students also engage highly when they see how the learning will make them a better person/citizen. I am hoping this project will give them both.
My Project
Students today are reluctant to write and have little enthusiasm to express their feelings beyond texting or facebook posts.
Students can learn to love writing by seeing how poetry can change their world and empower them to have a voice in that world.
These three novels focus on poetry from one of the greatest poets of the Harlem Renaissance. The themes of these poems become relevant for the readers as they compare them to the two main characters in the novels SUNNY and REBOUND. The power of self-confidence is strengthened through poetry and that power enables them to do amazing things in spite of all the doubters surrounding them. My goal is that these novels will inspire all my students in the same way.... and, in so doing, enable them to not just make their lives better, but to make the lives of all around them better also.
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 Mr. Leopold and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
