"I just finished a book. Really. You got another one like it?"
This phrase was uttered a few weeks ago by a repeating freshman who, last year, barely wanted to touch a book. He's discovered this year that he likes reading, but our classroom library isn't extensive enough to keep up.
My students live in a rural South Carolina town and attend a small high school of just over 450 students.
The school is an anchor for the community, and many activities that happen at the school involve the community at-large.
Because of the high poverty level of the area, many of my students live in print-poor environments. Reading may or may not be encouraged at home. If reading is encouraged, most of my students are limited in terms of resources.
Our town library has a limited selection of young adult reading material. And, what's on those shelves doesn't necessarily appeal to my students. While I may definitely see the benefits of reading A Catcher in the Rye or To Kill a Mockingbird, many of my students won't give those books a second glance.
They need books that are real to them, books that hit close to home, and books that are accessible. A well-stocked, diverse classroom library is key to providing these students with the books that they desire.
My Project
This project will help build our classroom library with books that are high-interest and relevant to today's young adults.
The books listed cover various topics: gang involvement, drug use, suicide, relationship issues, friendship, and other societal pressures that young adults face in today's world.
Many of the books on this list are books that have been recommended to me by students. Several of the books on the list are geared towards teenage males--one of the hardest demographics to reach with reading, especially in a high poverty environment where reading isn't highly valued.
Students will have access to these books to read during independent reading time in class, as well as to check out and take home to read if they desire. In class, students have book chats, complete reading journals, and participate in many other activities that allow them to share what they've read with their fellow classmates.
These books will help my students develop a desire for reading--one that they may have never known they were capable of having.
For some of these students, the only place they would willingly pick up a book may be my classroom. I want to be able to offer them books that will keep them coming back to ask, "You got another one like it?"
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 Mrs. Caulder and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.