My students need 26 fiction book titles such as "Harry Sue" and "Why Does Izzy Cover Her Ears?" for the library that have characters with special needs.
FULLY FUNDED! Mrs. Weber's classroom raised $441
This project is fully funded
Celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month
This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because
it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.
My Students
"I want [the reader] to embrace this novel and pass it along to their friends and their parents and teachers," author Sharon Draper said of her novel "Out of My Mind," the story of a young girl struggling with a physical disability. And, that is exactly what my book club readers did with this book.
My students live in an urban, low-income, Mexican-American community in Illinois.
It is a neighborhood elementary school serving grades K-7. Although the student body is not diverse in race or culture, it is diverse in special needs. Our school takes the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) principle of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act very seriously. Disabled students are educated with their non-disabled peers to the fullest extent appropriate. This routinized inclusion breeds tolerance and acceptance of diversity.
"Out of My Mind," tells the story of a brilliant young girl who is unable to communicate due to her physical disability. My students were engrossed by the protagonist's perspective. The student's were able to connect to the character's universal need for acceptance. In fact, my readers didn't even notice the omission of the character's race because it was superseded by her difficulties. They took away the message that a disability does not define a person!
My Project
As educators/parents we need to model and expose our children to an environment of cultural responsibility by teaching tolerance and acceptance of all humans, regardless of race, gender, religion or ability. The hope is for a future society void of all prejudice!
Reading these fiction books with character's of special needs exposes student's to new and unfamiliar perspectives, as well as the disability themselves. The gap between preconceived notions of disability are bridged with their new learning and understanding by the influence of a fictional character.
This wide range of literature provides a sense of connection between the reader and the character. Students are able to relate to the character through their similarities, as opposed to differences. Through group discussion, students are able to dig deep within themselves and begin thinking about others. This kind of dialog encourages critical thinking, a skill invaluable as life long learners.
The impact these stories will have on the students is intangible.
Embracing difference, students begin to challenge stereotypes and discrimination. It makes them think critically and apply this knowledge to real life. These stories inspire children to be respectful of all people as unique individuals. The creation of culturally responsible, inclusive classrooms leads to culturally responsible schools, communities and world!
More than three‑quarters of students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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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. Weber and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
