My students are freshmen through seniors, with a large English Language Learner population. They are eager to learn about the world through a safe environment. They are curious and engaging when it comes to learning new ideas and cultures and jump at the opportunity to immerse themselves in a new environment when they feel comfortable with those around them.
It does not matter if it is reading about current events or volunteering on campus, my students are willing participants at their school and within their community.
They often lack the background knowledge and skills to succeed in a high school English class, so the projects listed on this page are a way to bridge the gap between what they should know and what they do know.
My Project
My school has a high immigrant population, and students often state that the texts provided are not representative of who they are and the experiences they have lived through. This project aims to bridge that gap using our poetry unit by asking for a collection of texts that show the diversity my students bring to campus everyday. Reading original poetry aloud in class can foster trust and empathy in the classroom community because it helps students get to know each other and build community. These texts will be especially beneficial for this because of the variety of cultures and identities being represented.
The diverse topics brought up in these texts are aimed to encourage student interaction and discussion about what poignant experiences they have had and what contributes to their identity.
Because of these interactions, there is a large emphasis on listening and speaking skills. Students will be able to practice their fluency in reading the poems out loud and then practice communication skills during the activities.
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. Robinson and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
