Help me give my students a set of 20 books, journals, crayons, and pencils for our upcoming novel study, so that they can apply the skills they have learned about identifying story elements.
The school where I teach and my classroom is an embodiment of the phrase "melting pot." My classroom consists of many English language learners, students with special needs, and various ethnic backgrounds. The neighborhood that they share is impoverished. These children come from very little, but ask of nothing from me. I believe this is why any kind gesture, small or grand, breeds an incomparable gratitude. When asked why they come to school they all chant: "To learn!". But at school they get much more: food, love, companionship, and escape. This year I have had the privilege of building up 20 mini Ms. Francois'. They have inherited my humor, mannerisms, sayings, but most importantly a burning desire to learn and grow.
My students are my pride and joy and I have been humbled with the opportunity to teach them in both academics and life.
Despite their age, my children have experienced and continue to experience more than most adults ever will. By no means have they let their circumstances limit them, but the knowledge of the possibility of "greater" and "better" have enabled them to persevere through it all.
Teaching second graders during the final quarter of school always poses challenges. One of those challenges is making sure my students are pushing themselves academically. We have had many opportunities to share reading experiences through many books that my students have enjoyed, but never a chapter book. With chapter books in mind, I did not want them to read just any book. I wanted to afford them the opportunity to see themselves.
This project is about giving my students a taste of what representation in literature looks like.
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 Ms. Francois and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
