Do you remember wanting to read a popular book, but found yourself putting it aside due to challenging vocabulary? This is a sad daily reality for my students - many of them desperately want to read, but feel discouraged by a sea of unfamiliar words.
I am a fourth grade teacher in a high-needs community of New York City.
Within my classroom, a true culture of achievement and learning has been developed. The zeal with which my students approach learning is truly breathtaking. My students know what their academic goals are for the year, and they know just how to get them - hard work, hard work, hard work.
My Project
Aiding them in reaching these goals, however, is not always an easy task. One of the biggest hurdles my students, especially the English Language Learners, face in closing the achievement gap is their vocabulary. Studies show that students in low-income areas have had less exposure to vast vocabulary than their high-income area peers. As a result, it makes reading and comprehending what they read more difficult. For example, students know the word "large," but not "vast," "gigantic," "expansive," etc. While simply knowing more vocabulary may seem to some a less important aspect of their learning - it's actually quite critical! Once students expand their vocabulary, they will read and comprehend as never before!
To develop my students' vocabulary, I want them to have a weekly vocabulary workbook. This workbook will introduce new words, review old words, and allow practice using new words. This will be supplemented by in-class instruction and vocabulary enrichment activities.
With your donation, you will enable my students to have the tools necessary to build their vocabulary and reading comprehension skills.
In turn, this will help them grow into better readers and writers and meet their academic goals.
Please help them expand their vocabulary!
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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. G. and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.