My students need 13 sets of books for a leveled library in order to practice and improve their reading skills. Each child needs to be able to choose books they can read in order to succeed.
Do you remember having books that you wanted to read but they were too hard? All you could do was to look at the pictures and wonder what it was about? My students need a leveled library where they can choose a book they can read, in order to practice and improve their reading skills.
My students are hard working first graders in a Title I school in a high poverty area in Northern California.
Over 50% of our population are second language learners and more than 60% of our population are on the free/reduced lunch program. Many families are single parent families and in families where both parents work, many hold more than one job. We are very limited in resources as we have been hurt by numerous federal, state and local budget cuts.
My Project
I am requesting a leveled library and teacher resources (desk name plates and reading line tracker) to help my students improve their reading skills. The entire library covers the reading levels from the very beginning reader (kindergarten level) to the expected reading level for the end of first grade. There are several books in each level and they are all stored in their own colorful, durable book bin. Teacher resources that I also requested are desk name plates to mark their current reading level and reading trackers that would help them focus on the exact line being read. These materials would help children be successful in that they would be choosing a book that they can read. They will not be frustrated by choosing a book that is too hard or not being challenged by choosing a book that is too easy! The desk name plates will be able to remind them what their current level is and the reading tracker will help them stay focused as they read. All will help in improving their reading.
My students come into first grade with a very wide range of reading abilities; some may only know their ABC's, some may know a few sight words, others can read at grade level and a few may even read above grade level.
My current library is composed of a variety of books which I have arranged by theme. Some may be about colors,animals or by author. Children can pick books out by their interest but they are not always able to read them. A leveled library would let students pick books that they can read.
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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. Dumpit and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.