My students need books that are representative of their diverse backgrounds. Any of these titles will help boost reading engagement and bolster the diversity in our classroom library.
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
The best part about teaching at my school is the diversity in our student population. My school is full of students from all backgrounds and abilities. Most of the students I serve are reluctant readers who also have learning disabilities which put them at reading below grade level. Many are frustrated and feel hopeless because they are behind, and some of them believe they will never "catch up."
They are eager, interested, engaged, and curious about their world and want to explore what life will be like when they leave high school.
Many of them are worried about being prepared to face the real world. They want to talk about real issues they face in their everyday lives, and take every opportunity they can to discuss the issues that matter to them.
They are 9th graders navigating a new world in high school, which can be daunting and exhilarating at the same time. This is one of the reasons I love teaching 9th grade: it is a brave new world for them, and it's truly rewarding to watch them grow.
My Project
We need diversity in my classroom library. I want my students to not only see themselves reflected in the book selections but also read from other perspectives about issues that matter to them.
My students need two things: to be engaged in reading, and to feel represented in the books they read.
I believe that if they are able to choose a book that is written for their age group about characters that share their experiences, their reading levels will increase and they will engage with a text on a deeper level. Books save lives, and these books could change theirs.
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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. Wyatt and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
