My students need 25 dictionaries and thesauri to improve literacy and writing, and to complete projects and vocabulary for books such as The Giver and The Outsiders.
"What does that mean?" is a phrase I hear on a daily basis. Rather than explicitly tell my students the definition, I want my students to learn how to find words and definitions on their own and improve their vocabulary.
My students come from a high-poverty area.
However, despite their environment, they are bright, high-achieving students that are eager to learn.
The students work hard to maintain their ability to attend our magnet school, and through their commitment to education, we are an A rated school, a National Magnet School of Excellence, a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, an International Center For Leadership in Education Model School Top 25, and Support Music Award School 2015.
Without the students, none of this would be possible.
My Project
My students will use the dictionaries and thesauri to improve their own understanding of the English language, and in turn enhance their writing and communication skills. The dictionaries and thesauri will: aid students in understanding and comprehending books such as "The Giver" and "The Outsiders," help increase student vocabulary to produce exemplary writing in the forms of essays and poetry, and enable students to become independent learners.
Currently our classroom has 6 copies of "Merriam-Webster Dictionary and Thesaurus" to share among the 25 students (per class).
The dictionaries were published in the 1980s and do not contain many of the words that are part of their literature instruction. The new dictionaries and thesauri will ensure that each student has the resources needed to further their learning in English Language Arts, complete related activities, and encourage them to take responsibility for their own learning.
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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. Tonguis and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
